Upcoming Public Readings and Workshops…

Thursday 5th October – Seren First Thursday reading, 7.30pm in person, at Dyddiau Du, in the Capitol Centre, Queen Street, Cardiff. With fellow poet Damian Walford Davies. This event will also be streamed on Facebook Live. Followed by an open mic. Tickets here.

Thursday 19th October – a reading at ‘Voices on the Bridge’, Clwbybont, Pontypridd, 8pm

Saturday 21st October – a reading at Neath Art & Literature Festival, 12 midday

Workshops

I can offer workshops on a range of topics and am equally happy to develop bespoke writing workshops, so please do contact me if you have any suggestions or to negotiate a fee (my email is rachel@createdtoread.com).

Topics I’ve focused on in past workshops include: responding to visual art, using imagery and metaphor, character and point of view, short stories, flash fiction, editing and revision, erasure poetry, the poetry of Edward Thomas, poetic forms, life-writing and blogging. I’ve also taught workshops on Poetic Inquiry as a method of research for PhD students, and neurodiversity awareness workshops for those teaching in HE.

I have several years’ experience of planning and delivering learning activities for adults, and for children of all ages, including special interest or community groups. I have previously developed workshops on a wide range of topics, including creative writing, storytelling, local history and literacy.

From 2017 to 2020 I delivered a monthly community writing workshop (From Paint to Page: An Ekphrastic Writing Group) at The Gate Arts Centre. Since 2020 I have been teaching creative writing at university level, to undergraduate students, MA students and fellow PhD students. I am now a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

I completed an MA in Creative Writing in 2019 (at Manchester Met) which included an elective module on teaching creative writing. I studied English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, where I gained a First-class honours degree in 2006. I have also completed a short, accredited course in teaching adults (Preparing to Teach in Post Compulsory Education and Training), and I am now studying for a PhD in Creative Writing.

Current / Ongoing Projects

• Explore Collective – 2022-2024 Working with ACE (Action in Caerau & Ely), Disability Arts Cymru, Valleys Kids, and artists Becci Booker, Nic Parsons and Suzie Larke to deliver community writing workshops. Funded by Arts Council Wales.

Recent Workshops

• In So Many Words / Celf a Cherdd – 2022 – In partnership with National Museum Wales, as part of my PhD research, I delivered a series of in-person workshops in the museum, inviting people to respond to the artwork. Their poems formed part of an interactive display which took place from 6th September, to 6th November, inviting visitors to write poems of their own. This was funded by the AHRC via the SWWDTP.
• Art & Words – 2021 – In partnership with National Museum Wales (as part of my PhD research) I delivered ten online creative writing workshops for a group of people living in Rhondda Cynon Taf, writing poems in response to works of art from the museum’s collection. Their poems were displayed on the museum’s Instagram account along with poetry prompts, inviting members of the public to have a go at writing their own poems. Funded by the AHRC via the SWWDTP.
• My Creative Time – November 2020 – I was commissioned by Voluntary Arts Wales (now called ‘Creative Lives’) to run a workshop with a local community group. The resulting poems were published in an anthology. Scroll down to read feedback from the participants…
• An Introduction to Blogging – January 2021 – I ran a workshop for fellow SWWDTP funded PhD students
• Virtual Poet in Residence – 27th June 2020 – As part of a virtual poet in residence project at the Cynon Valley Museum I delivered a free online workshop, encouraging people to seek inspiration from their online art exhibitions.
• 8th September 2018 – An Introduction to Blogging – part of Cardiff Book Festival
• 16th October 2018 – A Charles Byrd Story Trail workshop – part of the Made in Roath festival, working with artist Sharon Magill
• 14th-21st October 2018 – Crossing Points – An exhibition of photographs and poems – part of the Made in Roath festival

Testimonials from the ‘My Creative Time’ project, where I ran an introductory poetry workshop for members of a local drawing group:

“Rachel introduced us to a style of poetry that was completely new to me in a very clear and interactive way. Examples of other poets’ work were shown to help us understand the concepts she was talking about.”

“I have never given poetry much thought in the past so I wasn’t too sure what to expect. I found the session so interesting and was quite surprised as to what appeared on the page after writing continuously for a few minutes without stopping to work out what to say next. Thanks for an enjoyable new experience.”

“It was interesting to interpret how I felt about this painting, and its place in my life experience, into written words. Rachel was so helpful in guiding me to hone it down to its final version. I enjoyed the process enormously.”

Testimonials from members of the monthly writing group:

“I like the structure of the session… We get a lot in but it doesn’t seem like a rush. I like reading the poems and discussing them – gradually seeing more in both the poem and the picture. I have enjoyed discovering new poets, or ones I have vaguely heard of but not read much of, and I follow them up after the session”

“The atmosphere is welcoming and the format, of discussing a poem/related imagery at the start before seeking inspiration from the walls of The Gate gently shifts the mindset to being ready to be inspired. By the time we are writing to whatever art has caught our eye, the exchanges about the sample pieces has opened the mental flow to receive ideas. And the extent to which the individual writers ‘lose themselves’ in the picture they are inspired by, or express their customary personal inclinations/style through the filter of the chosen prompt image is always intriguing. I have my own ‘drive’ as a writer but attend workshops to see what comes of it. And what comes is writing that would not/could not exist without the spark the sessions provide.”

“I’m always impressed with the research done before the session- I learn about poets and artists as well as improve my writing.”

Testimonials from attendees of a recent workshop ‘Creative Writing: Inspiration from Art’:

“I enjoyed the use of art to act as a stimulus to writing, and the use of questions to springboard work as it took me in unexpected directions. Really enjoyed it, thank you!”

“Really good session, great to learn new techniques I can use personally and professionally. The questions method in a limited time got me thinking very differently.”

Testimonials from attendees of ‘An Introduction to Blogging’:

“Rachel was super lovely and engaging, the session felt friendly whilst still being very informative”

“All of it was very useful, especially the examples shown.”

“I have learned a lot about the technical aspects of setting up a blog, but also about the importance of tailoring (writing) style to your audiences etc. – I was a complete novice before!”

“I hadn’t really thought about the more practical benefits of a blog… so it was very encouraging to learn about how blogging can help to foster connections and open up new opportunities! I found the practical tips on how to start a blog… very helpful as well.”