Write Where You Are Episode 1

Why make a video series? It’s not the most obvious thing to do when you’re someone who dislikes having their photo taken. But when Covid-19 started and the country went into lockdown, like many others, I wanted to do something to help. So I made a few writing challenge videos, primarily for my Patron of Reading school, I put together story prompt postcards and creative writing activities. My ever-lovely husband found a video editing package and starting teaching himself to use it. Also, as festivals and awards ceremonies moved online, I found I was filming a lot of interviews and readings and I wondered if I could get better at it.

Then Literature Wales put out a call for authors to submit ideas for online projects and I immediately thought of something that could get people writing even if they were stuck indoors. I came up with Write Where You Are, a series of videos and activity sheets, finding story ideas around the house. I sent in a proposal to Literature Wales and was thrilled when I got funding.

Becoming ambitious, I commissioned artwork from Jackie Evans for the opening titles, and roped in some other authors to do guest slots in the videos.  With the help of my husband I learned the ropes on the video-editing and we all became very excited as the series took shape.

Here is episode 1. I’m on my own, today, in the kitchen, although there is a surprise guest appearance from another member of the household.

And here is the downloadable challenge sheet for episode 1 with lots more ideas for stories:

Write Where You Are Challenge Sheet 1

If you do any of the challenges and you’d like to share your work, please do send it to me. You can find my email address on the contacts page