Rampton patients inspired by author to write stories
Our Rampton Patient Library colleagues recently invited an author to the hospital to hold a creative writing session with some of our patients. The morning was an absolute hit, with some fantastic patient feedback.
The Author, Andy Croft, focused on giving patients an insight into how to write a novel, with the aim to create a book of short stories, which will be made in the graphics department of the hospital.
The aim of the session was to inspire learners to write a short fictional story. It was tailored for new and experienced creative writers alike. Andy started the session by discussing some of his own work and was interested in what patients had already read. He read some of his poetry and answered questions about it.
He moved on to an activity that would engage the learners and stimulate their thinking and creativity. He had written the start of a story from different perspectives and styles. He read and discussed each one with the group, explaining and exploring each perspective. The patients were engaged, made suggestions, and really understood the aim of the task. The group then spent some time continuing the story and choosing a direction they'd like to take it. Feedback on each story was given and areas for improvement were highlighted.
A patient commented: "Fantastic morning, very insightful."
Another said: "I would like to say thank you to Andy Croft for a very enjoyable talk and some great advice."
Andy Croft is a writer, poet, publisher, broadcaster and community-writing activist. He has written and edited over 80 books, including Red Letter Days, Out of the Old Earth, A Weapon in the Struggle, Selected Poems of Randall Swingler, After the Party, Forty-six Quid and a Bag of Dirty Washing, Bare Freedom and The Years of Anger.
His books of poetry include Great North, Comrade Laughter, Ghost Writer, Sticky, Three Men on the Metro (with W.N. Herbert and Paul Summers), Nineteen Forty-eight (with Martin Rowson), Letters to Randall Swingler and The Sailors of Ulm.
He has given poetry readings all over the UK, in Paris, New York, Berlin, Sofia, Siberia and Iraq.
He has worked in over 400 schools and a dozen prisons.
The Rampton Patient Library team hope to be able to hold another session next year.
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