Accessibility and fun are goal for new Inverness creative writing group
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A creative writing initiative is set to start a free pilot group in Inverness next week.
Open Book, a Scotland-wide initiative running reading and writing groups all over the country, will fund sessions at Inverness Library for everyone wishing to join a space where to unleash their creativity in an informal and friendly space.
Starting on Wednesday 26 April, the group – which will then meet every two weeks from 12pm to 2pm – aims to be an "entry point" opportunity for those who enjoy writing or who would like to get started.
Author and writing mentor Aoife Lyall – who is behind the launch of the Inverness group – said she hopes this will become a welcoming space for the community.
She said:"The idea is getting people together to talk about what they are reading, and to write something of their own.
"It's not a writing group in the sense of having to produce and being an aspiring professional writer –- it's for people who enjoy words and talking and writing a bit.
"It's meant as a very relaxing and informal, no-expectations group where people bring what they want to bring and have a conversation and produce some writing.
"When I first moved to Inverness I really didn't know much of what was around – there are some great hubs such as Moniack Mhor and Eden Corut but that can be quite intimidating to a lot of people, with financial or geographical barriers. So, I wanted to have an entry point for those who just want to have that sense of community and share with those that have common tastes to them. "
The pilot group will start with an initial five sessions, and if successful it will then receive funding to continue on a monthly basis.
Ms Lyall said her idea was to make this group accessible for anyone with caring duties who would otherwise miss out.
She said: "I proposed to run the sessions during term time and during the day so that people who wouldn't normally be able to get to writing groups or classes during the evening could join, particularly for people with caring responsibilities – they often miss out on many opportunities, and even online events are scheduled in the evenings."
Those who want to attend can register on Eventbrite or show up directly on the day.
Ms Lyall added: "There is no commitment to come to all the five sessions, one can just join one time as every session will be a standalone thing, and people can drop in and out.
"They will run for a total of 90 minutes but we will leave time at the start and at the end for people to have a chat."
She added that groups are very flexible and anyone can jin any group around the country – even when on holiday somewhere else.
More information on Open Book can be found at openbookreading.com.
