Lighting the way
'I am out with lanterns, looking for myself' ~ Emily Dickinson
When Emily Dickinson wrote in a letter that ‘I am out with lanterns looking for myself,’ she had no idea how many tortured twenty-first century writers would seize on her words as the perfect metaphor for how it feels to venture into the freezing fogs of the new year, trying to find those lines we left off among the crumbs, wrappers and half finished drinks of December. But seize we did and seize we do - the day, the moment, the pink cheeks of 2025 with some offerings of a writerly nature to light the way back to ourselves and the page…
Get Writing! Kicking off tomorrow is our friendly in-person creative writing workshops at 5pm in the GL11 Community Hub in Cam, Gloucestershire. We’ll provide plenty of inspiration, materials and time to write with a friendly group. Whether you’re an experienced pro who needs a boost or a total beginner who’s always wanted to give it a go, we’ve got ideas, chats and confidence boosting exercises to help you get writing in 2025! 6 weeks, donations based. Free Dialect membership and access to our online resources is, as ever, open to caregivers and anyone on a low income 🌟
Meadow and more. For anyone looking to set up a regular writing habit, the Meadow is the perfect place for you - a place where we write together regularly each week and enjoy monthly online author events with Q&As. Dialect now has three new packages, which means three new ways to get writing, find community *and* support us as a CIC for rural and edgeland writers all at the same time. 🌟 The Power Hour Package: THREE online writing sessions, to get some dedicated creative time and meet others in the Dialect community. 🌟 Six months of Meadow Membership, with access to our supportive online writers’ space, three writing sessions available each week, a host of author events and socials plus early bird access to all our courses, workshops and talent development schemes. 🌟A whole year of Meadow Membership, to really give time and space for your writing practice to grow. The Dialect membership is a really special place - full of brilliant and friendly rural writers around the UK, offering inspiration, chats and support.
Winter Poetry Walks. Join acclaimed poet Philip Rush for a wonderful circular walk around Oxlynch / Standish on 20th January. Selected poems will echo something in the walk and the place, and will include both old and new texts. Winter mud and frost almost certainly guaranteed. Mittens essential, gaiters or boots desirable, prize for best hat. Find out more and book here.
Wise Women Poetry I. Work online with the excellent Kate Potts in this 10-week course of live zoom sessions. We will read, discuss and draw inspiration from a range of exciting work from British and Irish contemporary women poets. You’ll be given ideas and prompts to spark new poems, and constructive feedback on your own work in a nurturing group space. Starts 30th January. More information here. Kate is also running the complimentary Wise Women Poetry II, an in-person course in Stroud looking at North American poets. Available to book here.
And finally, a note from the lovely Kim Baker…
Sunday 19th January 2025. Chapel Poets present….JLM Morton, 2pm in the Little Chapel, Tabernacle Walk, Rodborough GL5 3UJ. Third event celebrating the work of local, living poets. Come along and hear the work of local poet JLM Morton read by other poets and people from Rodborough community.
If you would like to read one or two of JLM Morton’s poems at this event, please contact Kim Baker on kim.baker@rodboroughtab.org.uk or 07481 186100 or Eley Furrell on pinksniper@live.co.uk We require a maximum of 20 people reading so please book a place ASAP.
This event is free with refreshments (donations welcome). Parking for 20 cars available so please car share where possible.
If you have any questions about any of the above or about what we do at Dialect, then don’t hesitate to get in touch - just reply to this email and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Happy New Year!
Emma & Juliette x