The alarm woke me at 7 am even if I went to bed gone midnight. By 8 am I was in the room where a volunteer was giving us our writing task for Lift Up Your Pens. We had four of those sessions, Sunday to Wednesday. I attended every one.
I wanted to get my moneysworth. The summer school now costs somewhere near a thousand pounds for the short week, starting Saturday tea time, leaving after breakfast on Thursday. Five nights of accommodation, all meals, and coffee and cake or biscuits for elevenses and tea-time.
You can sell books, giving 15% to the Hayes. You can buy books from other authors, mostly getting a signed copy.
For me the week had two highlights. What I learned, and what I did.
What I Did
I had a bit part, about four sentences, in a five-minute comedy written by the Vice President for 2026, Maria Hemmings.
She always tells a rude joke to end her introduction to the evening's proceedings for everyone in the large hall called the Main Conference Centre. She is the queen of comedy.
This year her comedy, one of three good comedies, was voted the best comedy. She is the VIP. Very Important Playwright.
What I learned
Gestures
That a gesture can emphasize the character. You can show a lot on stage just by pointing at someone else, or yourself, or a part of yourself.
Descriptions
You can describe yourself or somebody else in three words. Try to describe yourself in three, complimentary words. Then ask others to do so.
The next event will be August 7-12th 2027, again Saturday tea time to Thursday brakfast at The Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire.
Useful Websites
https://www.swanwickwritersschool.org.uk/contact-us
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