CREATIVE WRITING, SCRIPTWRITING & STORYTELLING
(group workshops or one-to-one tuition)
Writing has always been a major focus of my career - first as journalist, where I spent sixteen years as a features writer, editor and columnist for variety of UK glossy magazines, then for the past 17 years as a professional scriptwriter, poet and storyteller, as well as the former Writer in Residence at the Ripon Walled Garden (an historic garden run by a charitable trust in North Yorkshire). With such a wide range of writing experience, I understand what it's like to face a blank page - and I know how to turn an exciting idea into a fully-fledged work. So whether you're a complete beginner looking for inspiration and confidence, or a more seasoned writer who wants to diversify or try a new challenge, it's my pleasure to help you along your creative path.
1) CREATIVE WRITING
Have you always longed to write - but lack the confidence, clarity or inspiration to start? Don't worry - we've all been there! As a professional writer of many years standing, I'm here to guide you through the joyful process of discovering yourself as a writer, using fun, motivational exercises to help you explore different forms of writing - from poetry to memoirs, and from short stories to full-length fiction. Together, we'll investigate the basics of structure, style, characterisation and world-building, as well as key technical skills, such as proof-reading and plot construction - so whether you'd like a one-to-one session, or you'd prefer to join a workshop with other aspiring writers, I'm here to help you unlock your talent and set free your passion for creative writing.
2) WRITING A PLAY
Writing a play is an extremely satisfying, creatively - as a playwright, you get to see your work brought to life in a living, breathing production. Alternatively, as an actor, it enables you to create a piece that showcases your skills and gives you something unique and exciting to work on.
In this workshop, you can learn how to:
– Make a start – find your inspiration and discover how to translate an initial idea into a working script
– Create the key elements of drama and plotting that will help you to shape your play
– Build characters and write dialogue, so the actions and words of your characters seem authentic
– Organize an informal workshopping session, so you can test your material at key stages of your writing process.
“As our Playwright in Residence, Sarah created enthralling and magical scripts that brought a new dimension - and a new audience - to our venue”
– Chris Searle, Manager of the Ripon Walled Garden Charitable Trust, North Yorkshire
3) STORYTELLING
From an article in the news, to a tv show, to a story told around a campfire… the whole world is made up of stories. But what makes a good story? And how can you deliver it in a way that keep your audience hooked?
In storytelling workshops, you can learn how to:
– Successfully employ the key elements that make up a brilliant story
– Structure those elements into a riveting plot
– Characterize your story, so you bring each of the characters alive for your audience
– Use physicality to build up the story and add to the drama
– Use your voice to delineate different characters and capture your audience, whether great or small
“Sarah Blake’s stories are generated by the characters, which is the hardest kind of storytelling. Watching, I felt quite envious.”
– Louis de Bernières, novelist & author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
4) DEVISING A SCRIPT
Devising is a technique where a writer works with others - a group of actors, a director, or other writers - to develop a story or play for performance. It gives you the opportunity to work on a unique and exciting project and is an excellent way to transform an idea into a fully-fledged stage work.
In devising workshops, you can learn how to:
– Work as part of a team to devise and create a script or story
– Use improvisation to invent new characters and situations
– Break through artistic blocks and build confidence in your ideas and skills.