Poetry and nature workshop at Keats House, Hampstead
- Course Code: HW637
- Dates: 20/07/24 - 21/07/24
- Time: 11:00 - 16:30
- Taught: Sat-Sun, Daytime
- Duration: 2 sessions
- Location: Keats House
- Tutor: Eleanor Penny
Course Code: HW637
Duration: 2 sessions
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
The weekend will have students writing and workshopping new work whilst drawing on the influences of Romanticism and other depictions of nature in poetry. As well as the building and garden of Keats House, the weekend will also involve writing trips to the nearby wild park of Hampstead Heath.
What will we cover?
This workshop will look at poetic technique, content and form, with a particular focus on writing about nature. The group will explore craft and content through reading and writing exercises, often in-situ in natural scenes, as well as constructive feedback. Ideal for students with some prior experience of writing poetry.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Express an understanding of some new techniques for writing poetry about nature.
- Begin work on a new or existing poem using exercises and techniques introduced in the class.
- Discuss individual texts.
- Participate constructively in a workshop setting.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
It would be beneficial to already have a familiarity with some poetic techniques, such as rhyme, metre and imagery. You will need an enthusiasm for poetry and a willingness to take part in discussions, reading, creative exercises and writing poetry.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching will be through writing exercises, group discussion and tutor input.
Please note that the weekend does not include food or board at Keats House.
Each day will include a 30 minute break for lunch.
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring loose paper, a writing notebook, pens and pencils,
You will receive feedback from your tutor throughout the day, as and when appropriate.
You may also wish to bring a packed lunch to enjoy in the gardens of Keats House.
As we will also be journeying to Hampstead Heath, be sure to dress appropriately for whatever weather conditions we encounter.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.
Eleanor Penny is a writer, essayist and poet. She won the Poetry London Competition 2020, the Verve Poetry Festival prize 2020, and was Highly Commended in the 2021 Forward Prizes. She has twice been shortlisted for Young People’s Poet Laureate. She is a former Barbican Young Poet, and an alumnus of the London Writers Awards 2021. She hosts the literature podcast Bedtime Stories for the End of the World. In her current project Albion, she is researching maritime histories of the UK. She teaches creative writing workshops with organisations including the Poetry School, Spread The Word and The Midnight Run. Her debut pamphlet 'Mercy' was published in 2021 by Flipped Eye. She is currently working on her first novel.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
