Way Wive Wordz
Publishing Editing Tuition
Writing Workshops
Our writing courses and workshops are designed to help improve confidence, quality and writing style. They are aimed to inspire students to develop their unique powers of expression and are open to anyone who desires to write, whether beginner or experienced. The sessions provide techniques to enable participants to explore their voice from their cultural vantage point and appreciate the distinctive qualities of their chosen form. Constructive group and tutorial feedback are provided in an open, friendly setting, whether in-person or online. As well as our open classes, we offer bespoke bookings for all our courses. Do contact us for more information about our bespoke classes.
African Women
Resistance Leaders
NEW COURSE TBC
With the 'Woman King' starring Viola Davis, Hollywood is finally catching up with the amazing history of Black female resistance. BHW has been highlighting such stories since 2007 we therefore repeat our interactive, online course on the topic.
This 6 week online course will detail African/Caribbean women who have fought against colonialism and racism over the last 400 years as well as examine their varied spiritual belief systems.
Mainstream history consistently ignores the contribution of Black women in general, but many of these women used indigenous spiritual belief systems to sustain their own ideologies and inspire their followers. African civilisations and belief systems were, and are, routinely denigrated by Europeans which has led to stigma and mis-representation.
This is the first half of a 12 week course. Part two dates will be announced shortly. Part One is a general introduction and Part Two will go deeper into specifics and new but related topics.
TBC
THE AMAZING JAMES BALDWIN
NEW 6 WEEK COURSE STARTS
TBC
The Amazing James Baldwin: An exciting, interactive multi-media online course referenced by the recent Baldwin film dramatisation 'If Beale Street could Talk'. This course also references the Oscar-nominated documentary 'I Am Not Your Negro'. This six-week course is an introduction to James Baldwin and a selection of his works. The course draws on a range of written and visual material to present an overview of his writings and contributions to the questions of race and identity, examining how they continue to impact us now.
We will use obscure video clips of James Baldwin (interviews, speeches, TV appearances) and some of his most widely received fiction and non-fiction writing, including Going to Meet the Man, Sonny’s Blues, Notes of a Native Son, and The Fire Next Time. Rare photos, paintings, and sketches that capture his spirit are also included.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY, BIOGRAPHY, MEMOIR
This workshop aims to help students explore the life writing genre. The session involves group interaction and exercises that enable participants to consider a selection of works by contemporary writers and initiate their own pieces on autobiography, biography and memoir.
IDENTIFYING YOUR VOICE
An introductory workshop that helps students develop creative skills and explore their unique powers of expression. It allows aspiring writers to free their imagination and develop a voice through which they can express their own style and rhythm in their writing. The workshop is open to anyone who enjoys writing or aspires to write.
SPOKEN WORD & POETRY
This workshop explores techniques of crafting written and oral forms of Poetry. We will consider the distinctiveness of poetry and spoken word from other literary art forms. Students will look at selected poems, from Caribbean Oral Tradition particularly where these have influenced the development of spoken word. They will have the chance to read/perform their poetry for discussion and feedback.
DESCRIPTION AND DETAIL
Students take part in a range of exercises to help unlock the way they uniquely see the world and want to express their ideas. Students will also be encouraged to 'dig deep' and develop the discipline to add specific details that will clearly express their meaning and creativity.
AFROFUTURISM WRITING COURSE
This creative writing exploration will focus on speculative and experimental fiction to create worlds and (re)imagined experiences centred on Africa: its past, present, and futures. African Spiritual Systems, Magical Realism, 'Animism', Oraliterature, Sci fi, Fantasy, Graphic Illustration/Novel are forms that can richly accentuate African history, politics (such as Pan-Africanism) and vast cultures, and project far-reaching, critically redemptive narratives on African futures. These themes will be debated and contextualised to underscore the ways they are used to situate Africa at the origin and centre of humanity.
WRITE TO HEAL
12-WEEK WRITING COURSE FOR HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION
This tailormade course will introduce you to different approaches to writing for healing and transformation. The aim is to encourage self-reflection, creative expression and intuitive, culturally specific responses to life experiences, including that of health-related issues to promote wellness. All the assignments are intended to allow participants to develop their unique way of sharing stories and build their confidence in the form they find most suitable.
NEW COURSE
STARTS 11TH APRIL 2023
TESTIMONIALS
"I would recommend the "identifying voice" workshop to anybody looking for a space to explore their writing creatively, and spend the day with other like-minded people."
Nicola Tagoe
"Very informative and constructive. A valuable and beneficial experience." Effective Communication Skills Workshop
Danny Fraser
"I am very grateful for all the information I received during the Afrofuturism Creative Writing Course. It was great to share my writing and my thoughts with talented fellow students. I feel this was a very important moment in my journey as an aspiring writer. I appreciate all the feedback I received and the weekly assignments, which helped me to start building a writing routine. I highly recommend this course." Afrofuturism Course
Ines Khai
"The Black Experience workshops creates an authentic and safe space for Black colleagues to explore the multifaceted British Black identity whilst linking back to and appreciating our African ancestry. Alongside, learning from each others lived experiences and weaving in the societal context of Blackness from a place of cultural education and empowerment. Helping to promote aspirations of Black Excellence and connecting a resilient Black Leadership Community across UK organisations. I would highly recommend this learning opportunity to organisations as part of wider Black Leadership development programmes." Exploring Blackness Course
Michelle Grant