Teenage Creative Writing Course
For 12 – 16 years
By Linda Cleary
Start Date: 23/05/2010 6.30 pm
4 weeks (8 hour course)
One session per week (2 hour session) on Sundays
Time: 6.30 pm-8.30pm
In Diwan Maadi
Maximum 9 people per class
Price: 420 L.E
Please register in your nearest Diwan branch
The 4 week Creative Writing course will act as an extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts, as well as free writing.
There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Temple of the Heart
Last night I went to Sama'Khana next to Prince Taz Palace in the Citadel area and saw the wonderful Iva Bittova, who is a renowned singer from Czech Republic who works with a lot of gypsy and world songs; and Anwar Abudragh a singer and musician from Iraq presenting classical Arabic and Sufi music. It was totally amazing. I felt like I was in a healing temple of sound; there were times I wanted to cry, times I was smiling from deep within, times I wished to crawl on the ground and writhe and times of bliss and divinity. The venue itself was beautiful;practically all wood with carved Arabic design and in a round with balconies. I was stunned that anyone managed to find the place though as it was tucked away down a small, historic street but then this is Cairo and when one is lost one becomes found.
There are performances on throughout the next week; all part of the Spring Festival 2010 including the poet Benjamin Zephaniah and many other international performers.
I begin another new writing class tomorrow; it will be weekly at Diwan for one month and then I start a second class at Darb 1718 as demand was high for the 1st one. I also hope to start my copy editing work for a new publication and not forgetting my post as 'writers' recruiter' for The New Hermopolis situated in Middle Egypt.
The family have been here for one week and will stay until 16th and I then hope to be accommodating a film crew who will be making a piece on The City of the Dead; an area here where people live in tombs. The poet and writer Seni Seneviratne will come end of May and Amira Hanafi will be also staying (she liked it so much the 1st time) :-) with a poet friend of hers. I am organising a reading to hopefully take place at Darb 1718 in early June and this will be Seni, Amira, myself and also Mohamed Salem Obada and Marwa Abu Daif who will be reading in Arabic.
Soooooo... it's all go!!!! :-)
There are performances on throughout the next week; all part of the Spring Festival 2010 including the poet Benjamin Zephaniah and many other international performers.
I begin another new writing class tomorrow; it will be weekly at Diwan for one month and then I start a second class at Darb 1718 as demand was high for the 1st one. I also hope to start my copy editing work for a new publication and not forgetting my post as 'writers' recruiter' for The New Hermopolis situated in Middle Egypt.
The family have been here for one week and will stay until 16th and I then hope to be accommodating a film crew who will be making a piece on The City of the Dead; an area here where people live in tombs. The poet and writer Seni Seneviratne will come end of May and Amira Hanafi will be also staying (she liked it so much the 1st time) :-) with a poet friend of hers. I am organising a reading to hopefully take place at Darb 1718 in early June and this will be Seni, Amira, myself and also Mohamed Salem Obada and Marwa Abu Daif who will be reading in Arabic.
Soooooo... it's all go!!!! :-)
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
DIWAN Creative Writing Course
Please see www.diwanegypt.com and read on for details of my 4 week (12 hour) Creative Writing course beginning Monday 7pm May 10th at Diwan, Maadi.
Registration is through Diwan and must be done before the course start date with payment in advance at any of Diwan's branches (Zamalek, Heliopolis, Maadi.
Diwan's website calander of events: http://www.diwanegypt.com/en/node/88004.
There is maximum student space of 15 people. Cost 420 LE for entire course.
Creative Writing Course at Diwan Bookstore, Maadi.
One 3 hr session a week for 4 weeks (12 hr course). Maximum 15 people per class.
The 4 week Creative Writing course will act as an extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts as well as free writing.
There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.
On completion of the first course other short courses available in:
Writing a Short Story
We work with further expansion techniques, read published short stories for discussion and understanding format; focusing on the necessary elements to produce a final draft of a 1000 word narrative.
Monologue and short plays in various formats
We look at the format of writing monologue and plays for stage, screen and radio and how to capture a character's authentic voice, find the central message of the text and prepare it for presentation.
Presentation of written word
For bringing developed pieces of text to peformance level; working on voice, rhythm, projection, stance and movement, character, direction, subsequent re-writes and edits from further developing the pieces.
Work on review and critique
Looking at the process of reading work for review and critique; getting past our own opinions to be able to appreciate what is valuable. We read several published texts for discussion and written comment and explore the steps to be able to review and critique work. Participants can also apply this to their own work.
Poetry
Reading the work of known poets; from a plethora of ages and movements. We discuss content and form and work on writing poetry that emulates certain styles as well as looking at one's own poetic expression and the form, rhythm and imagery that it takes.
Linda Cleary – Artist Biography
Linda Cleary is a poet - writer – performer, originally from Manchester and now living in Cairo. Seen as being in the vanguard of young female performance poets and emerging as a radical nouvelle vague Romantic Poet. Her former drama training lends her performance a certain theatricality and she has performed in a variety of bands, theatre & performance groups.
Linda works across disciplines; creating non traditional, diverse work of spoken & written word at times fusing performance, music and image. Her work often carries an urban and contemporary thrust ; some themes may be timeless, universal, but carry a modern twist and juxtaposition in delivering the tale whilst carrying a definite honouring to classic influences.
Her performance poetry and style has been seen as unique, strong, raw and challenging; 'Powerful, uncompromising, rhythmic verse. Tough, lyrical beauty. Packs poetic punches with aching sensitivity. A unique new voice. If you need a comparison, think; a young Joolz Denby, laced with Patti Smith overtones.' (Apples&Snakes)
Education Biography
Linda has experience of working with children, young adults and adults with differing needs and delivers workshops in creative writing & poetry for schools, colleges and community groups; those from isolated or rural areas as well as regeneration or urban.
Having left school and becoming immediately involved with theatre her community work began with a placement with NACRO in '89 where she assisted with facilitating a creative writing and psycho-drama course. She then went on to train in '91 at Manchester Polytechnic in Recreational Arts in the Community. This enabled her to successfully set up and run a variety of community courses in creative writing and also theatre; working in Holland, Czech and Australia as well as the UK. Between 93 – 94 she was invited to Czech Republic to work at the prestigious JAMU Academy of Performing Arts & Music in Brno where she delivered theatre workshops to two adult actor groups; one an audibly impaired group. She runs creative writing courses and a script development for presentation course and teaches general literacy as well as her poetry, writing and performance work and has just set up an artists' residency in Cairo.
Registration is through Diwan and must be done before the course start date with payment in advance at any of Diwan's branches (Zamalek, Heliopolis, Maadi.
Diwan's website calander of events: http://www.diwanegypt.com/en/node/88004.
There is maximum student space of 15 people. Cost 420 LE for entire course.
Creative Writing Course at Diwan Bookstore, Maadi.
One 3 hr session a week for 4 weeks (12 hr course). Maximum 15 people per class.
The 4 week Creative Writing course will act as an extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts as well as free writing.
There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.
On completion of the first course other short courses available in:
Writing a Short Story
We work with further expansion techniques, read published short stories for discussion and understanding format; focusing on the necessary elements to produce a final draft of a 1000 word narrative.
Monologue and short plays in various formats
We look at the format of writing monologue and plays for stage, screen and radio and how to capture a character's authentic voice, find the central message of the text and prepare it for presentation.
Presentation of written word
For bringing developed pieces of text to peformance level; working on voice, rhythm, projection, stance and movement, character, direction, subsequent re-writes and edits from further developing the pieces.
Work on review and critique
Looking at the process of reading work for review and critique; getting past our own opinions to be able to appreciate what is valuable. We read several published texts for discussion and written comment and explore the steps to be able to review and critique work. Participants can also apply this to their own work.
Poetry
Reading the work of known poets; from a plethora of ages and movements. We discuss content and form and work on writing poetry that emulates certain styles as well as looking at one's own poetic expression and the form, rhythm and imagery that it takes.
Linda Cleary – Artist Biography
Linda Cleary is a poet - writer – performer, originally from Manchester and now living in Cairo. Seen as being in the vanguard of young female performance poets and emerging as a radical nouvelle vague Romantic Poet. Her former drama training lends her performance a certain theatricality and she has performed in a variety of bands, theatre & performance groups.
Linda works across disciplines; creating non traditional, diverse work of spoken & written word at times fusing performance, music and image. Her work often carries an urban and contemporary thrust ; some themes may be timeless, universal, but carry a modern twist and juxtaposition in delivering the tale whilst carrying a definite honouring to classic influences.
Her performance poetry and style has been seen as unique, strong, raw and challenging; 'Powerful, uncompromising, rhythmic verse. Tough, lyrical beauty. Packs poetic punches with aching sensitivity. A unique new voice. If you need a comparison, think; a young Joolz Denby, laced with Patti Smith overtones.' (Apples&Snakes)
Education Biography
Linda has experience of working with children, young adults and adults with differing needs and delivers workshops in creative writing & poetry for schools, colleges and community groups; those from isolated or rural areas as well as regeneration or urban.
Having left school and becoming immediately involved with theatre her community work began with a placement with NACRO in '89 where she assisted with facilitating a creative writing and psycho-drama course. She then went on to train in '91 at Manchester Polytechnic in Recreational Arts in the Community. This enabled her to successfully set up and run a variety of community courses in creative writing and also theatre; working in Holland, Czech and Australia as well as the UK. Between 93 – 94 she was invited to Czech Republic to work at the prestigious JAMU Academy of Performing Arts & Music in Brno where she delivered theatre workshops to two adult actor groups; one an audibly impaired group. She runs creative writing courses and a script development for presentation course and teaches general literacy as well as her poetry, writing and performance work and has just set up an artists' residency in Cairo.
Saturday, 1 May 2010
The Sea
Merry Beltane and May Day
Today I went to the sea! I finally got to the Red Sea at Ain Sokhna on the eastern coast; about 90 minutes drive; or maybe it only took one hour... Sylvia was driving fast :-)
We went to a massive hotel spa/beach; something that I would normally not think to enter. But it was brilliant. During the course of the day I swam in the sea, swam twice in the mineral salts pool, went twice into the steam room and had one sauna. I also lay on the sun lounger on the beach, sipped lemon drinks and ate some chips with mustard :-)
The 'family' arrived at 7.30am this morning; so it was another VERY early rise for me and I only had a certain delerious nap at the beach. But tomorrow I can get up at my usual 1pm... ohhhh heaven :-)
I have just got back from a bin mission... the ferral cats out back claw the rubbish and it is very annoying.. so I've been obsessing about a bin for outside for some time. I finally got it together and went to do it. I managed to get a pink one for the kitchen and will move the boring one out. I got some VERY tasty kushari on the way back (thank you Azumi for finding that place)and am about to go out again any minute now for a drink..
The next days are writing classes, Darb 17 18, working on projects, European cinema, Al Azhar park, party at Ain Sokhna (with my mozza girlfriends)and being a general host to the 'family'. Hope that doesn't sound offensive Adam! :-) Just an easy name for you 'all' :-)
I will report again sooooooooooon!!!
Today I went to the sea! I finally got to the Red Sea at Ain Sokhna on the eastern coast; about 90 minutes drive; or maybe it only took one hour... Sylvia was driving fast :-)
We went to a massive hotel spa/beach; something that I would normally not think to enter. But it was brilliant. During the course of the day I swam in the sea, swam twice in the mineral salts pool, went twice into the steam room and had one sauna. I also lay on the sun lounger on the beach, sipped lemon drinks and ate some chips with mustard :-)
The 'family' arrived at 7.30am this morning; so it was another VERY early rise for me and I only had a certain delerious nap at the beach. But tomorrow I can get up at my usual 1pm... ohhhh heaven :-)
I have just got back from a bin mission... the ferral cats out back claw the rubbish and it is very annoying.. so I've been obsessing about a bin for outside for some time. I finally got it together and went to do it. I managed to get a pink one for the kitchen and will move the boring one out. I got some VERY tasty kushari on the way back (thank you Azumi for finding that place)and am about to go out again any minute now for a drink..
The next days are writing classes, Darb 17 18, working on projects, European cinema, Al Azhar park, party at Ain Sokhna (with my mozza girlfriends)and being a general host to the 'family'. Hope that doesn't sound offensive Adam! :-) Just an easy name for you 'all' :-)
I will report again sooooooooooon!!!
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Powerful Times
Cairo, as ever, brings forth strong changes.
The last few weeks have been full expansion and in the last few days alone I have had many business successes with a fully booked new writing course at Darb 17 18, a request by Diwan (national bookstore) to run courses in their stores and to develop a children's course, a post as 'writers' recruiter' and PR for a new venture in Minya; The New Hermopolis (more on that soon and of course the performance at Darb that took place on Saturday and an interview with a daily newspaper that will be following and invitation to perform at a large venue at a later date. And all this as well as the weekly private writing courses!!!
However, on a personal level.. 'mon amour' is no longer.. the wheel has turned again and hurtled from being one way to another within a time frame of one week.
Right now it is 8.26am and I have had 4 hours sleep and got up at 7am as the new guests will be arriving anytime now (and could have been from 7.30am). This is horrendously early for Cairo and as soon as I have gone through the basic introductions to the quirks of the flat I will be going back to bed for most of the day.
This evening I shall be attending the Indian Embassy and eating some very nice food with some very nice friends :-)
The last few weeks have been full expansion and in the last few days alone I have had many business successes with a fully booked new writing course at Darb 17 18, a request by Diwan (national bookstore) to run courses in their stores and to develop a children's course, a post as 'writers' recruiter' and PR for a new venture in Minya; The New Hermopolis (more on that soon and of course the performance at Darb that took place on Saturday and an interview with a daily newspaper that will be following and invitation to perform at a large venue at a later date. And all this as well as the weekly private writing courses!!!
However, on a personal level.. 'mon amour' is no longer.. the wheel has turned again and hurtled from being one way to another within a time frame of one week.
Right now it is 8.26am and I have had 4 hours sleep and got up at 7am as the new guests will be arriving anytime now (and could have been from 7.30am). This is horrendously early for Cairo and as soon as I have gone through the basic introductions to the quirks of the flat I will be going back to bed for most of the day.
This evening I shall be attending the Indian Embassy and eating some very nice food with some very nice friends :-)
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Full Moon
The full moon looks so sublime; even in the city's skies; it transcends the urbanity.
Today I start the new writing course at Darb 17 18 and it is fully booked so that is wonderful!
Tomorrow I will meet with Diwan bookstore who are interested in me delivering writing classes from their stores and I am also working on a project to deliver to the British Council which will be working with emerging female Egyptian writers towards live literature and printed material.
This Friday sees the arrival of a family of four from Cornwall; Adam Roberts is on a round the world gap year with his sister and their parents will join them here at ARC for just over two weeks. So it will be a busy household!!
Today I start the new writing course at Darb 17 18 and it is fully booked so that is wonderful!
Tomorrow I will meet with Diwan bookstore who are interested in me delivering writing classes from their stores and I am also working on a project to deliver to the British Council which will be working with emerging female Egyptian writers towards live literature and printed material.
This Friday sees the arrival of a family of four from Cornwall; Adam Roberts is on a round the world gap year with his sister and their parents will join them here at ARC for just over two weeks. So it will be a busy household!!
Sunday, 25 April 2010
The Show
Sooooooo.. last night was the show at Darb 17 18 and it was great to be on stage in Cairo and also to be doing my Cairo track here!!! I hope to get hold of some of the photos taken of my show last night and I will post some up. The exhibition itself at Darb is great and I will go back to see it properly later this week; ohhh actually I will be there Wednesday as I start tutoring the new Creative Writing course that will be taking place there each week. After the show I had some vodkas and then went on to party at Cairo Jazz Club with a big bunch of friends and artists. I got to bed about 3.30am and then had to get up before my usual early afternoon as I had some things to attend to and Azumi was leaving :-(( She has been an absolute adorable resident and we had some lovely times. She wrote in the guest book that she now feels inspired to work on her novel; so Cairo has given her some fire. My flat is filled with red roses; a 'good luck for the show' from some dear friends. Today should have been class but one student needed to cancel so I will go instead to see a friend and then tonight I will go to a stage play version of 'Death and the Maiden' being put on by a writer/director friend of mine Muhammad Marros at the Rawabet Theatre, Downtown. Later this week I have my Tuesday class, then begin the new course at Darb on Wednesday, I need to work on the project outline for the British Council and then on Friday the next four residents arrive for a stay of 16 nights!
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