Workshop: Writing about Disability and Disabled Characters.

On July 16th I was in Bilston to visit a writing group and deliver a workshop on writing about disabled characters. Thirteen members turned up, and the room was packed. Rather than just me talking at the front we discussed as a group the models of disability, and how this could be used in writing about a character with a disability. We looked at areas that might affect someone with a disability – in a negative or positive way.

A – access

R – rights and responsibilities 

E – employment and education

A  – attitudes.

As there were some members of the group who were disabled, they were able to give real life examples of discrimination or negative comments they had experienced.

We also talked about why writers might feel nervous tackling such a subject, and  I outlined some sources of help for a writer. Three writing exercises were given during the workshop, with lots of superb work.

I had packs for each member full of additional material and at the end of the workshop certificates were handed out.

If you belong to a writing group and would be interested in this workshop, do get in touch.