The Dawn Chorus and Dusk Chorus
The next Dawn and Dusk zoom writing groups begin on May 13th 2024
The Dawn Chorus Writing Group
The Dawn Chorus is an early morning writing session with a nature theme which takes place once a month over five days. Sessions are run over zoom and all you need to take part is a zoom account and a desire to set some time aside to write. Sessions are just one hour long and are designed to keep your writing motivation ticking over. The Dawn Chorus is a Spelt Magazine event and is facilitated by Spelt editor author and poet Wendy Pratt. Each session begins with an poem or extract of creative non-fiction and an optional prompt for you to use, but please feel free to work on your own long term project.
You will not be expected to share anything you are working on, but there will be five minutes at the end of the session set aside to check in and share if you want to. The aim of the group is community and pressure free writing in a friendly and supportive space.
You do not have to have your video or audio switched on, and you will not be asked to introduce yourself or perform any ice breaker or group discussions, this is purely a place to write in a community of other writers.
Further information
The Dawn Chorus runs once a month, usually at the beginning of the month, 7-8am, Monday, Tuesday Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
The cost is £15 (plus booking fee) and this includes all days within that week.
You will be emailed a zoom link the day before the Dawn Chorus begins and this link can be used every day.
You are free to attend every day, or just the days you want to, the fee is the same and covers all five days. You do not need to send apologies if you are unable to attend, this is a relaxed, no pressure writing group.
Introducing the Dusk Chorus
As well as the Dawn Chorus I am also now running the Dusk Chorus, an early evening zoom writing group to compliment the Dawn Chorus. The Dusk Chorus will run on the same days as the Dawn Chorus, with different prompts and extracts. You can choose to sign up to just the Dawn Chorus, or just the Dusk Chorus, but I am also offering a package of Dawn and Dusk Chorus groups for a discounted rate of £25, saving you £5.
Links to Dawn and Dusk Chorus:
Testimonials
“I would highly recommend any of Wendy Pratt’s on-line courses. The prompts and
discussions of themes are well thought out and interesting, so that there were very few
that I just let go by. Being part of the on-line forum was very encouraging and I felt
really supported by Wendy’s and other people’s comments. I even wrote some other
poems and memoir while doing these workshops and without them I think I might have
had very little to show for the last three months. The prompts help you to approach
material from different angles than usual, or to write something completely surprising. I
found the courses very enjoyable as well as inspirational and affirming.”
RS
“I found your prompts and the accompanying information extremely helpful and stimulating. For me your emphasis on 'no pressure' has felt very freeing and combined with your introductions, your course helped me to begin writing again.
In short, your course was excellent - I learnt a lot and felt able to do what I could, given various other constraints in my non-writing life. Thank you so much!”
HBN
“Wendy's online writing courses are stimulating and challenging. The introductions to the weekly topics include links to videos, articles and lectures, plus a variety of exemplar poems, all of which add to the broader context of each course. Although there is no pressure to keep up with the daily prompts, they are thoughtful and thought-provoking, which makes writers want to return to those they missed. The closed facebook group enables participants to share work in a safe and supportive environment. The fact that so many participants return to subsequent courses is an indication of how much they are valued.”
AH
“I have thoroughly enjoy the time spent here. First time on such a course. I really thought I’d be doing more reading than writing. I have often encouraged my primary school pupils to write but never thought to indulge myself until now. Actually I’ve become addicted. I went on holiday in the middle and have returned with half the prompts still to do. The course has finished but I mean to continue and indeed to book another one when one is advertised. The prompts are varied and inspiring. They allow for so many interpretations. There’s no feelings that you are doing it wrong. No pressure. The group has been very friendly and so encouraging to be able to read the responses of others. Just very enjoyable. Thank you Wendy.”
EL
Wendy Pratt 