Hampton Writers
Creative writing classes in Hampton Hill
Are you a secret writer? Do you love to write, but never know quite what to write? Would you like to become a part of a community of local writers to share ideas and discuss plot condundrums? Have you started writing a novel, but are feeling a little lost? If so, you are not alone! Get in touch if you would like to join us for our weekly writing sessions, one-off masterclasses, Sunday afternoon novel-writing sessions and more!
All classes are run by me, Lucy Hope, and the masterclasses will be hosted by a variety of experienced and traditionally published local authors.
Weekly writing workshops - how they work
Each week group members write a new creative piece inspired by a prompt given the previous week, or continue work on an existing writing project. We share our writing in a safe and supportive environment and group members give and receive feedback with a focus on positivity. During these sessions, we explore the nuts and bolts of creative writing in the context of the shared pieces, thinking about setting, characterisation, dialogue, point of view, plot, pace and more.
You don’t need any previous writing experience to join — just a passion for the written word.
When: Monday evenings in Hampton Hill. 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Price: £132 for a 6 week block.
(PLEASE NOTE: We are often fully booked and operate a waiting list. If you would like to join us for a future block, please do get in touch using the form below and I’ll be able to tell you about future availability.)
What you will learn during the weekly workshops
How to read like a writer
How to develop characters your readers will care about
How to use point of view effectively
How to use rhetorical language to enrich your writing
Plot, action and pace – how to keep your reader engaged
How to write authentic dialogue that drives a story on
How to share and critique each other’s writing in a positive and supportive environment
Sunday afternoon workshops
One Sunday afternoon a month I run a 3 to 4 hour workshop where writers working on a larger project (a novel or extended piece of writing) get together to talk about their project and share pieces of writing for feedback and ideas from other group members. We also look at particular elements of writing related to group members’ projects.
When: Sunday afternoons from 2pm.
Price: £40
Next session: To be confirmed.
Masterclasses
Our next masterclass will be:
How to Write Good Dialogue with Sue Wallman – Saturday 17th January 3pm to 5pm.
Learn how to write compelling, authentic dialogue to help your writing shine and drive your plot forward. This masterclass will focus on the nuts and bolts of effective speech, and we’ll discuss how to incorporate subtext, avoid information dumps and sharpen your scenes.
Price: £45 per person.
This masterclass will be run by author Sue Wallman. Sue worked for The New York Times in Paris and magazines in London before becoming a secondary school librarian for several years. Now she writes and runs workshops in schools full-time. In 2013 she won the Women’s Prize for Fiction First Chapter Award. She’s written eight thrillers for young adults, including Lying About Last Summer which was selected for the WHSmith/Zoella Book Club, and I Know You Did It which was nominated for the Carnegie medal. She has spoken at Hay Festival and Cheltenham Literature Festival.
Social activities
We get together once a month for a pub night, a wonderful opportunity for local writers to meet up and chat about their latest writing projects in a more informal setting.