Would you like to unlock your hidden potential as a writer? Do you have a dusty novel that you would like to
polish up, or a bunch of poems you would like to publish?
Would you like to write the story of your life? Or a story with life? Or do you just want to be in a stimulating environment with interesting people?
Would you like to unlock your hidden potential as a writer? Do you have a dusty novel that you would like to
polish up, or a bunch of poems you would like to publish?
Would you like to write the story of your life? Or a story with life? Or do you just want to be in a stimulating environment with interesting people?
The Institute for the Study of English in Africa (ISEA) offers a creative writing course that encourages you to do all of these things.
In its 13th year, more than 200 people have done the course and many of them have gone on to have their work published.
The course is for everyone, young or old, well educated or not, first language English or another language speakers.
The course is run by four published writers who focus on poetry, fiction, non-fiction and memoir. It is structured around short, 10 minute writing exercises designed to loosen inhibitions.
Students read their work to each other in small groups to learn how to give and receive critical feedback. In the second half of the course students focus more on their area of interest, preparing work for publication in the student-run journal Aerial.
Oliver Cartwright has taken it four times. “My grandmother thought I could write. Friends told me I could write. I knew I could write. But still I did not write,” Cartwright said. “Then I signed up for the creative writing class and they compelled me to write.
I had to sit down and dredge up ten minutes of words, sentences and paragraphs.” Cartwright took early retirement last year to focus on his writing.
He now writes every day. Last week he wrote 2500 words. Classes start on 18 February and run for 15 sessions on Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm at the ISEA, St Peters Building, Somerset Street, just next
to Eden Grove.
The cost is R850, which can be paid in instalments and some bursaries are available. There will be an information meeting at 6pm on Thursday 11 February if you want to find out more. You can pick up
an application form for a bursary at the meeting, or contact Carol Leff on 046 603 8565 or email c.leff@ru.ac.za.
