Article Source: Stirling PR
Last Updated: 3 August 2020 14:30
You may have heard of Joe Wicks, but local writer and workshop tutor, Laura Fyfe from Stirling has spent the last four months providing exercises online too – for writers around the world.
She is now about to film and broadcast her 100th creative writing workshop on Facebook and YouTube, helping budding writers from across Europe, Asia, the US, and Canada put pen to paper.
Laura said: “I started doing the workshops, in part, because I knew people might struggle with their mental health over lockdown and writing can be incredibly cathartic.”
Each day, Laura provides a writing suggestion and tips on how to use the method she has developed and honed for years, in order to help people overcome writer's block.
She added: “It's all about using a prompt to help you ignite your imagination, and about writing in short, intense bursts. You can really surprise yourself!”
Providing 100 workshops online is the latest achievement in a string of successes for Laura, who won the Stirling Observer's business award in 2012 when she first started holding writing workshops in Stirling. She has since gone on to win the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival's writing award, publish two writing guides: Wellspring and Magpie Mind, and has been recently published in the internationally acclaimed Butcher's Dog literary magazine. She also sits on the boards of both the Scottish Poetry Library and the Scottish Writers' Centre.
Laura’s workshops have now reached hundreds of thousands of people across the world. As a mother (to 5-year-old Riley) and a teacher, Laura knew that making time for her writing during lockdown would be a challenge, so she decided to share her writing sessions online as a way to hold herself accountable.
She said: “I knew if I was doing these for friends, I'd write every day too. And I knew it would help keep my creativity ticking over, but what I didn't expect was the response. People have been so kind in letting me know about how much it has helped them, by giving them something to look forward to on tough days. That's really helped me as well.”
If you would love to write but don’t know where to start, there is a wealth of resources online now for aspiring writers to enjoy, much of it free: from workshops, to discussion groups, to spoken word events.
In Scotland, Laura particularly recommends the Scottish Poetry Library, the Scottish Book Trust, The Scottish Writers' Centre, Sonnet Youth, and the Federation of Writers.
She added: “There's so much support out there and it's been wonderful to make the most of technology to find connection, especially when we can all feel so isolated. I like to find the positives. There's a lot of good we can take from the challenges of the last few months. I know I'm grateful to have been able to help people.”
Laura's workshops and resources are available online at www.figmentcreativity.com and on the Figment Creative Expression Facebook page... www.facebook.com/FigmentCreativity
Stirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREStirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MOREFamilies have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREThe Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREMacdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MOREA mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at the home of Scotland’s iconic Kelpies structures today (Tuesday, March 26) in celebration of the forthcoming 10th anniversary.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MOREA range of Stirling’s outstanding independent business owners were rewarded with trophies last night at the city’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREFull cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREA sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MOREStirling’s business community is getting ready to celebrate at the city’s annual awards for independent traders.
READ MOREExcavation work on a Pictish stone of potential ‘international significance’, discovered buried in a cemetery near Doune, will begin within the next fortnight.
READ MOREGreat Run 2024 series highlights inspirational stories from runners around the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to their nearest store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
READ MOREFriday 8th March marks International Women's Day and to celebrate Vue is set to screen four inspiring films which follow the achievements of incredible female leads.
READ MORE