La Souterraine
Join us at the lovely English Library in La Souterraine for friendly, practical creative writing workshops combining learning, hands-on writing, and a welcoming writing community.
Designed for beginner to intermediate writers, each workshop explores a different aspect of creative writing through a mixture of discussion, practical guidance, and exercises that give you the chance to put what you've learned straight into practice. Whether you're working on a particular project or simply want to develop your writing and try something new, you're very welcome to join us.
Until the end of 2026, we meet on the last Monday of each month. From January 2027, workshops will move to the first Monday of the month, from 5pm–7pm. Please check the individual workshop dates below.
Workshops cost €15 per session, with refreshments provided. Each session stands alone, so there's no need to attend every month — simply come along to the workshops that interest you.
New to my workshops? Your first session is completely free! There's no need to book or reserve your free place — simply choose a workshop you'd like to try and come along. After your first session, workshops are €15 each, with no ongoing commitment.
2026–2027 Workshop Programme
28 September 2026
Reading Like a Writer: Exploring How the Greats Do It
Reading is one of the best tools a writer has — if we know what to look for. We'll explore how to read with a writer's eye, examining the choices other authors make and discovering techniques we can borrow, adapt and experiment with in our own work.
26th October 2026
Mood & Tone: Creating Atmosphere on the Page
How do you make a scene feel eerie, joyful, threatening or romantic before anything has even happened? We'll explore the techniques writers use to create mood and establish tone, and how subtle choices can completely change the atmosphere of a piece.
November 2026
No workshop this month
We’re taking a little break in November, but we’ll be back in December for our end-of-year session
7th December 2026
The Writer's Year in Review — FREE SESSION
Join us for a relaxed, celebratory end-of-year session as we look back at our writing, recognise what we've achieved and think about where we'd like to go next. A chance to reflect, plan and enjoy some time with your writing community — and this session is completely free.
4th January 2027
The Art of Conflict
Conflict is what keeps a story moving — and it doesn't always mean arguments and explosions! We'll explore different forms of conflict and how they can create tension, reveal character and give your story the momentum it needs.
1st February 2027
Playing with Psychic Distance
How close is your reader to your character's thoughts and experiences? We'll explore psychic distance and experiment with moving the narrative lens closer and further away, discovering how those choices can change the way a scene feels.
1st March
2027
Backstory Without the Info Dump
Your characters had lives before page one — but your reader doesn't need to hear about all of it at once! We'll explore ways to weave backstory naturally into your writing, revealing what readers need to know at just the right moment.
5th April
2027
Finding (and Keeping) an Authentic Author's Voice
What makes your writing sound unmistakably like you? We'll explore what we mean by an author's voice, how it develops and how to strengthen it without forcing your writing into somebody else's idea of what it ought to sound like.
3rd May
2027
Creating Suspense & Tension
You don't have to be writing a thriller to keep readers on the edge of their seats. We'll explore practical techniques for building tension, creating anticipation and making it very difficult for your reader to put the story down
7th June
2027
Full of Heart: Writing Romance & Love Scenes
From the first spark of attraction to declarations of love — and everything in between! We'll explore how to create believable chemistry, emotional intimacy and romantic moments that feel genuine rather than forced.
5th July
2027
Plot Knots & Story Snarls
Plot gone wonky? Character wandered off in completely the wrong direction? We've all been there. This practical workshop explores ways to identify what's not working, untangle troublesome story problems and find a way forward when your writing gets stuck.
2nd August 2027
Beyond the Traditional: Exploring Narrative Forms
Stories don't always have to be told in conventional ways. We'll experiment with different narrative forms and structures, looking at how playing with the way a story is presented can open up exciting creative possibilities.
6th September 2027
Scene or Summary? Controlling the Pace of Your Story
Not every moment in a story deserves the same amount of space. We'll explore when to slow down and let readers experience a scene in detail, when to move quickly through events, and how those choices affect the pace of your story.
4th October 2027
Writing What Isn't Said: Subtext on the Page
Some of the most powerful things characters communicate are never spoken aloud. We'll explore how to write beneath the surface, using dialogue, behaviour and context to let readers understand what characters really mean, want or feel.
1st November 2027
Dealing with Death: Crafting Powerful Death Scenes
Death can be one of the most emotionally significant moments in a story — but writing it effectively isn't always easy. We'll explore how to approach death scenes with purpose, considering emotion, character, pacing and the impact that remains after the moment itself.
6th December 2027
The Writer's Year in Review — FREE SESSION
A relaxed end-of-year session to reflect on the writing you've done, recognise your progress and celebrate the things you're proud of. We'll also look ahead to what you'd like your writing life to bring in the coming year — with no charge for this final session of the year.