(photo - view from Towneley Hall, Burnley)
Burnley & District Writers’ Circle was founded in 1954, so we’ve been providing a forum for the writers of the area for a good few years! In that time we’ve seen many changes. Most probably, the writers at that first meeting would have been using pen and paper to write. My first writing was done on an old office typewriter while in my teens. The first typewriter I bought was a second-hand, turquoise Olivetti manual. From there I graduated to a Sharp electric. Now retired, I use a computer, though, like many writers, my first drafts are still often written with old-fashioned pen and paper.
Despite the changes in technology, our Circle has remained true to its core values. We exist to give a platform to new and experienced writers, those who write for pleasure and those who write for publication, to share their work in a supportive and empathetic environment.
We have an annual programme of topics designed to challenge and enhance the skills of our writers – as well, we hope, as providing a lot of enjoyment and fun. There may be much literary discussion in our meetings, but there is also much laughter.
No one is compelled to write anything for each meeting, but most people do. It’s an opportunity to share their work and explain a little about their motivations for writing. It’s also an opportunity to gain feedback; to have their work critiqued – always positively – and appreciated. We give support and encouragement to one another.
In addition, there are opportunities for writers to present their own, personal work for similar appreciation and suggestions for editing and publication.
Many writers have passed through our Circle over the last 60+ years and some have gone on to great things. Probably our most notable alumnus is Paul Abbott who was motivated to join the group after a troubled childhood. Shortly afterwards he was hired by Granada Television as, at the time, the youngest script editor on Coronation Street. He went on to write, amongst other things, Reckless and Touching Evil for ITV, Clocking Off and State of Play for the BBC and, most recently, Shameless and No Offence for Channel 4. In his career he’s collected numerous television awards.
Several other of our writers, past and present, have published works of poetry, fiction and non-fiction.
In 2014 we produced a 60th Anniversary volume of current members’ work to celebrate the occasion and we hope to offer more publications in the future.
The Circle continues to inspire, enthuse and promote local writers and we hope we’ll still be here for many years to come!
Burnley & District Writers’ Circle was founded in 1954, so we’ve been providing a forum for the writers of the area for a good few years! In that time we’ve seen many changes. Most probably, the writers at that first meeting would have been using pen and paper to write. My first writing was done on an old office typewriter while in my teens. The first typewriter I bought was a second-hand, turquoise Olivetti manual. From there I graduated to a Sharp electric. Now retired, I use a computer, though, like many writers, my first drafts are still often written with old-fashioned pen and paper.
Despite the changes in technology, our Circle has remained true to its core values. We exist to give a platform to new and experienced writers, those who write for pleasure and those who write for publication, to share their work in a supportive and empathetic environment.
We have an annual programme of topics designed to challenge and enhance the skills of our writers – as well, we hope, as providing a lot of enjoyment and fun. There may be much literary discussion in our meetings, but there is also much laughter.
No one is compelled to write anything for each meeting, but most people do. It’s an opportunity to share their work and explain a little about their motivations for writing. It’s also an opportunity to gain feedback; to have their work critiqued – always positively – and appreciated. We give support and encouragement to one another.
In addition, there are opportunities for writers to present their own, personal work for similar appreciation and suggestions for editing and publication.
Many writers have passed through our Circle over the last 60+ years and some have gone on to great things. Probably our most notable alumnus is Paul Abbott who was motivated to join the group after a troubled childhood. Shortly afterwards he was hired by Granada Television as, at the time, the youngest script editor on Coronation Street. He went on to write, amongst other things, Reckless and Touching Evil for ITV, Clocking Off and State of Play for the BBC and, most recently, Shameless and No Offence for Channel 4. In his career he’s collected numerous television awards.
Several other of our writers, past and present, have published works of poetry, fiction and non-fiction.
In 2014 we produced a 60th Anniversary volume of current members’ work to celebrate the occasion and we hope to offer more publications in the future.
The Circle continues to inspire, enthuse and promote local writers and we hope we’ll still be here for many years to come!