Writing workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, at the Open University.

Upcoming Creative Writing workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, at the Open University.

Accommodation: - Đại Kết hotel: 15 Tú Xương, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

Sunday 27 May the group arrives

Monday 28 May.  Day 1 of our workshop.

Tuesday 29 May  Day 2 Writing Trip.

Wednesday 30 May. Day 3 of our workshop.

Thursday 31 May.  The group leaves.

Please remember to bring:

1. A short story (between 600-1000 words) (3 copies for peer editing)

2. A poem

3. A new creative writing activity for class

Core Group Programme. (provisional)

28 May.

09.00-09.30  Opening and housekeeping.

09.30-10-30  Input session of poetry writing activities 1.  (Alan/Jaya)

10.30-11.00  Coffee.

11.00 - 12.30  Input session 2.  (Alan/Jaya)

12.30  14.00  Lunch.

14.00-15.00  Participants share an idea for poetry writing each. 1.

15.00- 15.30  Coffee

15.30-16.30   Participants share an idea 2.

16.30-17.00  Briefing for Writing trip.

29 May.

Writing Trip to Can Gio.

30 May

09.00-10.00  Feedback on writing trip.

10.00-10.30  Coffee.

10.30-12.30   Peer editing of poems and stories.

12.30 - 14.00  Lunch.

14.00-15.00  Peer editing continued.

15.00 - 15.30  Coffee

15.30 - 16.30  More ideas for writing activities. (whole group)

16.30- 17.00  round up and discussion of future of the group.

Discussion points:

1. Group size / participation? How to make the group dynamic? 

2. Should we consider a two-tier system?

3. Workshop sponsorship?

4. Publication possibilities?  (eg. On-line, e-books etc.)

5. What changes could we make to the current format?  (For example, Julie suggested having a different focus each time: poetry; stories; classroom activities; different levels of teaching, etc.)
6. Introduce different kinds of activity.  For example, a regular quarterly publication online.  Strict deadlines. No contact.  All done through Internet.

A few ideas from Ivy sent by email:

1.

Website for the group: If we could have our own website for the group we can publish regular editions of our works (including creative writing, book reviews and research articles). We can have discussions and make comments on each other’s works. This will increase the communication and bonding between the group members. We can bring out bi-annual or annual print versions of our selected works from the already published web editions. Publishing on the website can work as a booster for making the group members more active.  

 

Moreover, website advertisements can be a good source of income for the group. If we can collect some money by publishing advertisements, it can lessen the pressure on the dependence on sponsorship at least to some extent.  Although I am quite ignorant about how these things work, I am sure there will be some way to work this out.

2.

Review of books that focus on the Teaching of Creative Writing can be considered for publications on the group web page. Aside from assigning the interested group members to write book reviews we can also invite guest authors.  

3.

We can consider e-book

4.

I do not think that considering a two-tier system will be a good idea as to me sharing ideas and experiences is a very good way of learning. If the experienced/published writers and novice/unpublished writers are separated we will lose the opportunity to learn many things.

5.

Since the group meets once a year for the workshop, as an alternative to Julie’s suggestion of having a different focus each time: poetry; stories; classroom activities; different levels of teaching, etc; one of these topics can become the focus of a particular day than investing the whole of the workshop time on one single area.

6.

The group can also teach creative writing through its website.

7.

The group can take up projects for writing books that focus on the teaching of the creative writing.

Updated by TBT (12 May 2012)