by Charlie Fabre
If you’ve spent any time in a Creative Writing classroom, you know that sharing and discussing your work with other writers can be one of the most productive and helpful things to do. After all, the act of writing may be a solo job, but finishing a beloved project can take a village.
It’s great to get different perspectives, and if you can join a writing group in your area that’s a win! Enter the Leeds Writers Collab. Started by Swim Press co-founder and ex-editor in chief, Rebecca Lockwood, the Leeds Writers Collab aims to create a space for emerging writers in the area to get together and show one another support.
We are huge fans of this project, and we wanted to learn more about the opportunities that Rebecca has set up in the area. So, without further ado, let’s hear it straight from the amazing gal herself!
Why did you decide to start Leeds Writers Collab?
“Writing has always been part of my life and it’s been something I’ve always made sure to exercise, whether it be through actively seeking out opportunities like the Staffordshire Young Poet Laureate scheme, or through studying it at Lancaster University. That was, until, I started full time work.”
“Like pretty much everyone ever, life gets busy and if you don’t proactively implement time to do the things you love, you won’t.”
“That’s why I started Leeds Writers Collab. By a combination of forging out time per month to commit to what I love doing, and a hope that others might want to do the same.”
Could you tell us a little bit about what the Leeds Writers Collab is? How does it all work?
“Leeds Writers Collab is a writing collective who meet monthly to respond to prompts and feedback on works in progress, whether those works be a one-off poem, a chapter from someone’s novel or even the first few pages of a play.”
“Our monthly meetings are two hours long (7-9pm) and completely free. We spend up to 45 minutes freewriting in response to prompts, then the remaining time talking through monthly submissions which people will have read in advance.”
How do you go about planning each meeting and giving feedback?
“The running of LWC is done by admins Bec (myself), Alex & Kirsty.”
“At the start of the month we’ll announce our key dates which are the submissions deadline & the day of the meeting. That’s essentially it until submissions come in, and then an admin will collect them into a monthly pack, and redistribute them to all attendees/members.”
“Members then have a week or so to read the submissions and gather their thoughts, which we share verbally at the meeting, which provides writers with a really rounded view of how their work is being received at that point.”
“In terms of planning, it’s important to me that it remains low maintenance, so the prompts are put together in the days before the meeting and shared as we go through them.”
What would you say is the most beneficial factor of joining a writers’ group?
“It depends on what type of group it is, but for LWC…”
“Fresh perspective. That’s the purpose of it, really. If you’ve got a piece that you’re unhappy with, but can’t put your finger on, then it’s the perfect opportunity to hear others thoughts on why that might be, or if you’re overthinking it!”
Is this something you wish you had been able to join when you were starting your writing career?
“Undoubtedly. The experience of having others read your work is one that should never be taken for granted, it’s vital to being a writer!”
How flexible are the meetings? Is it the same group each time or do people come and go?
“100% flexible. We have repeat members who come to every meeting, we have some who come every so often, and we have members that have only been once. It’s no pressure!”
“What I would say is that it is amazing being able to witness other people’s development, whether it be because they decide to workshop a piece that’s come from a former writing prompt, or because they’ve started to find their voice or hone their project. That is brilliant.”
“But ultimately, there’s never any pressure to commit to LWC for life. We’re still finding our feet too!”
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