A library card gives you access to a wide range of creative activities, social groups and opportunities to learn, enjoy and grow. Visit www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries to discover more.
The Central Library Creative Writing Group has been meeting monthly for the last three years. Each month, a subject is chosen and the group listens to poems and prose as well as looking at visual images on the theme followed by a discussion. We then write about that subject; sometimes people write poems, other times it’s the start of a novel, notes or diary entries. A few members have said that writing on certain subjects has been cathartic.
The Central Library Creative Writing Group has been meeting monthly for the last three years. Each month, a subject is chosen and the group listens to poems and prose as well as looking at visual images on the theme followed by a discussion. We then write about that subject; sometimes people write poems, other times it’s the start of a novel, notes or diary entries. A few members have said that writing on certain subjects has been cathartic.
It’s a lively, inspiring group, and so far, two books have been published by members of the
group, and we've hosted a packed out poetry book launch on behalf of one of the group members.
The sessions are a time
when participants can completely escape into their own writing, and find inspiration, unlock their creativity and share in the synergy that often forms when writers
converge.
At this
year’s Off the Shelf Writing Festival, there was a Sheffield Short Story
competition. The Central Library Creative
Writing Group met in September and worked on short story submissions. We are
delighted to say that four members of the writing group, including Claire Walker,
Library and Information Assistant, the facilitator of the group, were
long-listed.
Sean Webster,
from the group won 3rd place!
Well done to Sean and all those who were shortlisted and entered.
Two of our
writers share their thoughts;
Hannah Whiteoak
Hannah’s
story was shortlisted for the Sheffield Authors competition.
“My
shortlisted story, Blackbird, is set in Endcliffe Park, which (along with the
various libraries) is one of my favourite places in Sheffield. I've recently
joined the Central Library creative writing group to meet other writers and get
new ideas. I have a few stories and poems online at medium.com/@hannahwhiteoak and would love to write more.”
Sean Webster
Sean won 3rd
place in the Sheffield Authors competition.
“A roller
coaster ride, not knowing you're shortlisted until the last minute, then you're
on - stand and deliver! It was fantastic to hear really positive comments on my
work, and I thank everyone who voted for a love story that shone brightly, but
all too briefly across the Sheffield skyline.
I've had some
excellent writing sessions at Sheffield Library in Claire Walker’s Saturday
morning group. Two exercises per session that vary immensely from week to week,
where everyone is encouraged and given a voice. I was very proud to have some
work on display in the library that was produced during one of these inspiring
sessions."
