What's a Creative Writing course like?

Every Tuesday morning is Creative Writing morning at the Museum. If you're thinking of coming along: do come along. They're friendly, stimulating -- and run by a man who's written for the BBC.

On Monday, Ben Haller -- he's written for the BBC, ITV, NBC and HBO -- and Learning Interpreter Beth Hughes head downstairs to Insight and burrow into boxes full of old photographs from our archive. They're looking for pictures on a selected theme: last week it was 'magic realism' (for which they chose from the superb Hammer Horror collection of on-set and in-film photos); this week it was 'dialogue'.



Cut to Tuesday, and the Creative Writing course day itself. The pictures were popped in display cases, and the writing circle -- which numbered twelve or so this week -- got to gaze at them, chat about them, make notes, and use them as inspiration for a piece of creative writing.





There was plenty of discussion and friendly chat during the ten minutes I sat in on the circle, and it's obvious that Ben -- who's won't tell me which programmes he's written for, for fear he'll have to kill me due to "contractual obligations" -- has a brain brimming with knowledge and tips.

It's a cosy, supportive environment. And it's going so well that the group have created their own website to share and discuss stories and ideas.