“…poetry – the reading of it, the writing of it, the saying it out loud, the learning of it off by heart – all of this matters deeply to ordinary Scottish people everywhere.”

Women writers are making their mark across the country. Carol Ann Duffy currently holds the title of Poet Laureate while Gillian Clarke is the National Poet of Wales. Carol Ann has already welcomed Liz as Makar by remarking:

““Since her [Liz Lochhead] early work in the 1970s, she has been an inspirational presence in British poetry – funny, feisty, female, full of feeling; a fantastic performer of her work and a writer who has tirelessly brought poetry to the drama and drama into poetry.”

Congratulations again to Liz and we look forward to reading her first poem as Scotland’s National Poet. Hopefully no queens will get their heads chopped off and it will be perfect days all round.

Also, belated congratulations to Louise Welsh who has been named Writer in Residence at the University of Glasgow in December 2010. This post has been previously held by Liz Lochhead, now the nation’s Makar. It is great to see these women acting as role models for writers everywhere. 2011 looks like it will be exciting time for Scotland’s writing.

With the prevailing weather conditions during the weeks before christmas, our planned celebration and book launch for the Glenburn Girls group looked a bit touch and go. However, on Wednesday 22nd December Nisha and I, Renfrewshire libraries staff and a host of aunts, grannies, mums and dads, big sisters, baby brothers and friends did manage to make it through the snow and ice to Glenburn Learning centre in Paisley.
The girls have been meeting since January 2010 and with the support of the national lifelong learning programme and local volunteers, have been writing poems and stories and developing their skills and confidence through outdoor activities and drama workshops.

They called themselves the Wacky Writers and compiled and published a book of “poems, stories and random writings”. Jill McKee from Renfrewshire libraries, who have supported the project and provided a venue for the girls to meet, presented the girls with a gift and copies of the publication to take home to their friends and family. For most of the girls this is the first time they have ever been published. A copy of the book will be available at all Renfrewshire libraries and in GWL’s archive.

We asked the girls what they felt the group had done for them and this is a little of what they said…
“I came to the group ’cause there is not much else to do..it is sorta fun and I get to see other people and it’s good for your writing and reading skills…”
“The club has made me read more..I never used to enjoy reading but now I kind of do and I like to write stories..”
“I really enjoyed participating in the obstacle course..hopefully I will continue to read and write more and more”
“I’ve enjoyed working with people of my own age on something that people think is boring but when you do it with your mates it’s fun..I have learned a lot ..and I have made really good friends..”

This was a lovely way to end the working year and end this particular project – Nisha and I really enjoyed meeting the girls’ families and friends and appreciated the effort they had made to get there. Well done to all the girls. It’s been great fun to work with this group – my Wednesday afternoons will seem very quiet from now on!

On Friday 26th November, the Storytelling Sessions begin. They take twists and turns through the imagination using guitar, song and visual art to help find your creative voice. Tea and sandwiches are optional. Some of Storytelling Sessions are fully booked but there is a waiting list. Contact the Library on 0141 248 9969 for more information.

November also sees the arrival of National Novel Writing Month (or NaNo as it is affectionately known as). It sets the challenge of writing a 50, 000 word novel within a month. Writing time begins on 1st November and the clock runs out at midnight on 30th. In NaNo it is quantity, not quality, that matters. I am taking part for the second time after failing miserably on my first attempt during 2009. The experience is shared by over 183, 000 participants across the world, all frantically writing to hit the 50, 000 goal by 30th November. Go to NaNoWriMo.org for more information. Some winners have written the entire 50, 000 required quota in three days so there is still time to take part! I’ll keep you posted about how I get on.

Mslexia, the well renowned writing magazine for women, is running its annual Short Story Competition. Jackie Kay, a GWL favourite, is the judge for this year’s competition. The first prize is £2, 000, a day with an editor at Virago AND a week long writing retreat at Chawton House Library. To enter, write a short story no longer than 2, 200 words on any topic or theme. Entries should be sent by 24th January 2011. More information can be found here.

The BBC are advertising for short stories for their radio show, Opening Lines. The deadline for submission is 30th November and stories should be between 1900-2000 words long. Opening Lines has an mid-afternoon broadcast slot so it would be best to bear this in mind when submitting material to them. More information regarding submissions can be found here.

Happy writing!

ARTS AND CRAFTS

The women get creative in the Arts & Crafts workshops making hand made cards and their very own life book using scrap booking techniques.  Women brought along their photographs and other information to include in their life book.  We have enjoyed listening to one anothers stories of childhood, growing up, families, special memories, hobbies & interest, achievements and future aspirations.  

Mrs Farah has made her very first hand-made greetings card!

Mrs Nasreen Shami is pleased with the first page of her life book which was all about her name.

VISIT TO THE ST. MUNGO MUSEUM OF RELIGIOUS LIFE AND ART AND PROVANDS LORDSHIP

We set off to St Mungo Museum to learn about the main religions followed by people of Glasgow.

It was great to be taken round by the wonderful learning officer Kirsty Hood who made the objects come to life! 

Kirsty tells the story of the Hindu God Shiva.

Nadia takes a closer look at the beautiful painting of the 99 names of Allah created by the famous artist Abu Mustapha

Nurah has a go at handling objects belonging to different faiths.

While we were there, we went across the road to visit the Provand’s Lordship.

Mrs Shamim is fascinated by the old style kitchen and makes connections with kitchen utensils she used whilst growing up in her village in Pakistan.

VISIT TO THE KELVINGROVE ARTS GALLERY AND ‘BEING CREATIVE’

Although Kelvingrove Art Gallery seems an obvious landmark for places to visit in Glasgow, many local women had never visited the grand palace which houses over 8000 objects including art pieces and paintings. 

Mrs farah is re-united with her all time favourite rock star Elvis!

The women also took part in the ‘Be Creative’ workshop to explore methods of creative writing! 

FILM SCREENING

We watched a Bollywood film called Black, a thought provoking film about a young Indian girl who is deaf and blind.  The film was in Hindi and English with English Subtitles. 

” I am so glad I came along to watch this film.  I have never watched a bollywood film, both actors played their roles very well.  I felt so emotional and moved at the efforts of the young girl and her teacher.  Thank you for inviting me!”                  May Cummings

VISIT TO THE GARNETHILL SYNAGOGUE

It was extremely exciting visiting the very first purpose built Synagogue in Scotland which is located on Hill Street in the Garnethill area of Glasgow.  In fact it is still one of the finest 19th century Synagogues in Europe, and the “mother synagogue” of Glasgow.

Women learn about the different functions of the Synagogue.

The Synagogue also houses the fabulous Jewish archive.  It was a pleasure to learn about the Jewish history in Scotland which dates back to the 16^th Century.

Mrs Parveen explores the Jewish archives.

And it doesn’t end there…… I cant wait to visit the Gurdwara in Pollokshields on Wednesday 28th July, 10.30am to 1pm; film screening of Slum dog Millionaire at the Glasgow Women’s Library on Thursday 29th July, 1.30pm to 3.30pm; and the woodlands trip to Barons Haugh Nature Reserve in Motherwell on Thursday 5th August 10am to 4pm! 

If you fancy coming along then please book a place by calling Syma or Pauline on 0141 552 8345.

Show Scotland
5th May, 11am- 4pm
Scotland Street School Museum
225 Scotland Street, Glasgow, G5 8QB

Creative Writing Workshops (Adults)
With Brian Whittingham and Zoe Strachan
Monday 5th May
1 -3 pm (readings 3 – 4.30 pm)

Do you have a story to tell? Would you like an opportunity to develop your creative writing skills? Scotland Street School Museum is offering free creative writing workshops as part of our Words Out event on Monday 5 May.

The workshops are open to adults of any level of experience. The workshops will be led by Brian Whittingham and Zoe Strachan. Brian has 3 written plays, various short stories and 5 poetry collections. Zoe teaches at the Edwin Morgan Centre for Creative Writing at Glasgow University and writes novels and short stories.

You will also be able to take part in a reading of work at the end of the day (3 – 4.30 pm). Tea and coffee will be provided.

If you would like to take part, please book in advance to make sure a place is reserved for you. You can make your booking by phoning 0141 276 9310 or emailing GMRCBookings@csglasgow.org.

Also, the theme for the New Writing to be published in their issue 39 is “Bugs” and the deadline for this is 13 June 2008. They pay £25 for every poem they publish and £15 per thousand words of prose.

Hope that this inspires some to get writing, and please let us know if you get anything published in the magazine, or blog about it, or let me know so I can blog about it!

Happy writing :o)