This workshop was hosted virtually, with participants zooming in from a variety of locations within Europe. The different backgrounds, perspectives and fields of these people made for an engaging workshop, with interesting discussions and collaboration.
Workshop content and excercises
The workshop ran over three days, taking participants through a variety of activities and exercises aimed at unlocking different methods of writing, and unleashing creativity. We used the online platform "Padlet" to bring ideas and exercises together, like the one on the left.
An example of some of the exercises that were undertaken at the workshop to explore place-specific writing- challenging our writers to use single syllables, 100 word-caps, and sensory language. Our participants all added contributions and commented on each other's work.
What did our participants say about the excercises?
"It is difficult to choose one exercise because I enjoyed most of them. On day 1, I enjoyed the exercise of 100 words of one syllable because it was a good way of learning to be concise while trying to deliver a message. On day 2, I really liked collecting material outside based on observations during a walk. I felt truly relaxed after the walk, which was a bit meditative. Taking the time to observe what is surrounding me is something I don't do enough."
"I liked the one on telling a story in 100 words with only one-syllable words. Makes you think really hard about how to tell a story in a simple and straightforward way, very nice!"
Sarah Butler
Our facilitator of this writing workshop was Sarah Butler. She is a UK-based novelist, with accompanying practice in socially-engaged, place-specific writing. She is fascinated by the relationships between stories, places, and communities. Her work explores identity, belonging, landscape, and home. Sarah has a particular interest in urban spaces and urban change.
"I have taught Writing (on) the Urban Question at VUB three times now. Every time I have been blown away by the energy, curiosity and commitment of those attending to challenge their writing practice, to try new things, to share and explore writing in all its forms (and with all its frustrations and joys) with their fellow participants. I always leave the course feeling inspired to read and write more, to delve deeper into how we might write of, to, with, about, for the places that interest us. A huge thanks to the staff at VUB who make it happen so seamlessly each time, and particularly in this last, difficult year."
Feedback from participants:
We loved hosting participants for this workshop, and the great feedback has got us thinking about when and if we can host some more workshops. Check out what they thought:
"I genuinely had the feeling I had taken time 'for me'. I had rarely felt that relaxed after a day of work. It allowed me to step back from my daily work and it is the kind of workshop that helps being more reflexive, I think. I found some of the writing exercises almost 'therapeutic'."
"I liked the way you guys made writing look simple and joyful. The opportunity to be instructed playfully for a limited time and a clearly defined exercise made writing look easier than it is. It helped me a lot to enjoy writing. "
Interested in future workshops?
To be the first to find out about future workshops the Brussels Centre for Urban Studies will be running, follow our social media channels where we'll be posting news, or feel free to email the centre!