Wimborne Writing Group
I’ve been leading a Creative Writing class in Wimborne for over 15 years and it is a wonderful group of dedicated and talented writers many of whom have succeeded in being published during their time in the group. Members of Wimborne Writing Group have published novels, poetry, plays (which have also been performed), short fiction and various forms of non-fiction. Two members have gone on to study for and achieve MAs, and one member has recently completed her PhD – all in Creative Writing.
I tutor Creative Writing courses for The Open University.
I am experienced and qualified at leading groups and writing workshops and giving readings. I offer mentoring to writers and poets.
My academic qualifications include: BA (English Language and Literature); MA (Creative Writing); MSc (Sociology & Social Policy) PGCE (post-16 & adult education); Fellow of HEA.
Here are some short profiles of some WWG members:
Ruth Blaug enjoys writing poetry and short, often very short, stories. She writes about the birds and other animals that people her life, and likes to experiment with ideas and forms. She enters a few competitions every year and ‘very occasionally’ (Sarah says: ‘often’!) gains a prize.
Carole Smith Shortly after joining Wimborne Writers group, Carole had poems and articles published in one or two magazines. Then, in order to learn more about writing fiction, she applied to study creative writing at the University of Southampton, where she remained for six years, studying, teaching, gaining a PhD, and, among other work, has written a novella and laboured over a full-length novel.
Pauline Howard With many years of writing groups and a correspondence course in creative writing behind her, so far Pauline has had no hits and five misses. Fiction of the adventurous sort detracts from the mundaneness of working with figures on a daily basis, so in her limited spare time if she is not reading, she is writing. She has four children and nine grandchildren.
Jill Kell has enjoyed the inspiration and friendship of creative writing groups for over 20 years. These days she uses the skills learned mainly to write up her family history researches, only occasionally venturing into the world of competitive writing.
Christopher Beck has a background in music and has had poems published in South magazine. He was 2007 winner of the Somerset Fellowship of Drama competition and his entry, ‘The Lesson’, was performed at the Little Theatre, Wells. He has an MA in creative writing from Southampton University. He won first prize for poetry in the Christchurch Literary Festival, 2012. He has completed and published a novel, ‘The Summertime Blues’.
In 2008, Wimborne Writing Group published an anthology of prose, poetry and drama: ‘Crumbs on the Table’ (ISBN 978-0-9559503-0-8).
In December 2013, we published our 2nd anthology, ‘Grapes on the Vine’, (ISBN 978-0-9559503-1-5) also very popular and sold well.
Currently we meet at Clarcs which is the Community Learning & Resource Centre in King Street, Wimborne. If you are interested in joining please contact me, Sarah Steele, at Clarcs.
As a new member of Wimborne Writers Group, and someone who’s only just begun to write seriously, I find Sarah’s sessions helpful and stimulating. Highly recommended. MB
Hi Mary, Thanks for your comment. So pleased you have joined the group and looking forward to working with you on your writing.
Hi, I have recently moved to Wimborne and I’m really interested in writing, I have just finished studying English as level and I am hoping to enrol in a English literature and creative writing course through the open university, I was wondering if this group still runs? Thank you 🙂
Hello Jane, yes the group is still running – very much so! There may be space for you in the Wednesday afternoon group. I will email you soon.
Hi Sarah my names Rachel and im really interested in writting please could you give me more details about how I become involved in wimborne writing group? 🙂
Hi Rachel, Wimborne Writing Group is flourishing. There may be a place available in the Wednesday afternoon class starting in September. If you would like to email me I will send more details: sarahbarrwriter@gmail.com
I am looking for a regular creative writing course in a group…can you help
Hi Chris, I will send you an email with more details about Wimborne Writing Group.
Hi, please let me know when the group meets
Thank you
Hi Sue, Thanks for your enquiry. We meet monthly on Wednesdays. At the moment I think both groups are full but places do become available and so it’s worth going on our waiting-list. I will email you privately. Sarah
Do you ever run one day sessions for beginners. I am interested in a course in Oct next year
I don’t have a beginners’ workshop planned but I might do in the future. I often run a writing workshop for Wimborne Literary Festival, so look out for that next year!
Hello Sarah,
I hope this message finds you well?
I’m very interested in attending your writing group is this something you still run?
Many thanks
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte, Thanks for your message and your interest in Wimborne Writing Group which I’m pleased to say is flourishing. I will send you a private email with more details.
Sarah
Hi Sarah, I am new to the area and I’m looking for a writing group to join. I’m about to do an Arvon course on memoir and I’m also working on a novel. I have not had any work published. If you are still accepting members it would be good know when the group meets.
Many thanks,
Maggie
Hi Maggie, Good to hear from you. We meet monthly on a Wednesday. Sarah
Hello Sarah, I am new to Dorset and also to writing. I have no idea if I am any good but would like to explore writing poetry. Do you mentor one to one as I am not convinced I would be the right standard for a writing group.
Many thanks
Sarah
Hi Sarah, I’ve only recently read your message as I took the summer away from my blog. I do mentor writers and poets one-to-one. If you are still interested, we would need to meet to discuss the idea. I will also be resuming my writer-in-residence Friday mornings at Black Pug Books, Wimborne, soon (starting October 11th), and you are very welcome to call in there to see me. Let me know what you would like to do. Sarah
Hello Sarah, Thank you for your reply and hoping you had a good summer. I am still interested in looking at ways to explore writing, perhaps it would be best if I pop into Winbourne and have a brief chat with you at Black Pug books on 11th October. Is there a better time to do this? Many thanks Sarah
Hi Sarah
I’ll be at Black Pug Books in Wimborne on November 15th and 29th 10am-1pm if you’d like to call in!
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Just wondered if group was still running? I’ve been interested in writing for quite some time now. New year new start.
Regards
Dom
Hi Dom
Wimborne Writing Group is flourishing! We meet monthly on Wednesdays. There are no places available at present but please do get in touch with me again in a few months if you are still interested. Sarah
Thanks
Thanks Sarah,
I will try then but please keep me in mind should a place become available.
Many thanks
Dom
Hi Dom
You would be very welcome to call in at Black Pug Books, Wimborne to see me on Friday 31st Jan 10-1pm if you would like to discuss your writing. Please let me know.
Sarah
Hello Sarah
I believe I met you at the Blandford literary festival poetry evening. Is your group open to new members, if so when do you meet? Do you also run a poetry group?
Kind Regards
Finola
Hi Finola
Wimborne Writing Group is open to new members, when we have a space. I also lead a Poetry Society Stanza group in Wimborne. I’d be happy to meet and talk about these groups and I will contact you soon.
I believe I did meet you at Blandford Lit Fest when I came to the poetry reading.
I will be doing a writer-in-residence slot at Black Pug Books on Friday 31st Jan 10-1pm – would you be able to call in?
Sarah