Writing workshops? In this pandemic?
A good question. But why not? We've been planning these workshops since the end of 2019... and our funding just came through, so we decided to go ahead and hold them. How will we know it's safe? We're keeping the classes small and keeping our distance! In line with MKN's social distancing guidelines, we picked out a larger, more airy workshop space (instead of the lovely cosy one we originally wanted) and capped our participants at 14 persons. We're also keeping an eye out on the numbers and current situation, so we'll provide regular updates and figure out alternative solutions if the status in Penang continues to worsen. (Fingers crossed--we made it to Green status for more than a hundred days before... we can do it again!) Currently, you'll have to wear a mask (boo), sit at distanced tables (aww), and keep sanitising your hands (yikes) but other than that, we'll run as usual. Besides, it's a writing workshop. You're supposed to sit down and write and ignore other people where possible anyway. Wait... ignore people during a workshop? How does that work? Our teaching/workshop session runs from 10am to noon. This is the "interactive" part of the programme, where our fine Chevening alumni will impart knowledge and get socially-distanced discussions going. We then break for a catered lunch (each in their little sanitised packets) before starting our writing sessions. ...Which means you can ignore everyone in the room and isolate yourself to your table for the afternoon while you write. Or you can schedule a one-on-one with one of the available programme mentors and/or the instructor. We'll end the day with a quick recap before letting you go home. What if I can't attend all 6 sessions? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO US?! I mean, sure, go ahead, register for individual sessions, but we'll be prioritising our slots for those who can make it for the whole series. Okay, so I can attend all the workshops but I'm not sure about this retreat thing. A retreat is just a way for you to set aside time to sit down and write. Because you're taking this writing thing seriously, aren't you? You've already set aside 8 weeks for this, so why not just see it through to the end! What we'll do there is help you set your writing goals for the weekend, hold critique sessions, and generally push you to finish the stories you've been working on. We'd really like for you to stay with us for the whole weekend, but we also understand that some of you might have worries with this whole pandemic going on. So we've decided to let you decide if you want to be a day participant, so you don't have to risk sharing a room with someone you've only known for two months. Think of it as going to work. You go to the office to get things done, you attend this retreat to get your writing done. The retreat is only open for full-time participants (i.e. you're attending the whole workshop series), so you won't have the option to apply for it separately if you're only taking one or two sessions. Do I need to be like super good in writing to attend this course? Why do you need a writing sample? No. The point of this course is to help beginning writers figure out how this writing and publishing thing works. We just want a writing sample so we can pair you with a programme mentor who understands your styles/themes/genre/etc as well match you with other participants who are at similar stages in their writing. Or it could also help us tailor some of the sessions to address common mistakes we see in the samples. Why are you doing this? The workshops? Or the attendance thing? We really believe that Malaysians, especially Penangites, have stories to tell. This is why MYWriters Penang holds weekly write-ins and monthly critiques and publish the annual NutMag Zine. We want to provide YOU with a platform to share your stories. As much as writing is a solitary gig, no one improves in isolation. What we want is for you to get to know fellow writers at various stages of the journey so that you (we) can spur each other on in our writing endeavours. The best way to do that is by spending time together and sharing our work. And if you don't end up making friends, maybe you can just settle for being professional rival instead. That kinda works too. How much do I have to pay? Nothing. The Chevening Writers Series is fully sponsored by the Chevening Alumni Programme Fund. Even for the retreat? In a HOTEL? Well, yeah, they're covering the costs for that... but you'll have to buy your own meals during the retreat. Unless you can survive on cream crackers and milo. (Um. We may not have enough cream crackers and milo for 14 people for 3 days. So yeah, you'll have to bring some money to buy your own food.) Okay, okay, I'm sold. How do I find out more or apply? Click the find out more button below! (Or surf over to our Events page) What if I have more questions? Leave us a comment, or email us at [email protected]. We look forward to receiving your applications! |