Beginnings with Priscilla Morris

Do you have a story to tell? Start your writing journey at this unique novel-writing workshop for beginners led by Women’s Prize shortlisted author Priscilla Morris.

The new year ushers in an opportunity for new beginnings. Take your passion for books to the next level by using your favourite novels by women to inspire your journey as a writer. This two-hour writing workshop is for anyone who has an idea for a story to tell – or simply the impulse to write – but isn’t sure where to start.

Through a blend of thought-provoking discussion, inspiring examples, easy-to-follow writing exercises and audience Q&A, you will be invited to drop your guard to find creative and accessible ways into fiction writing – and stop limiting yourself by thinking what you produce has to be perfect.

In an informal, supportive setting, be guided by a highly respected writer and teacher – who knows and has overcome the blocks you may be facing now – and gain valuable insights into the creative process, as well as habits you can embed into your own writing routine.

Make 2024 the year you commit words to paper and start writing the story you want to tell.

You can submit your question to Priscilla Morris when signing up for the event.

The workshop will be delivered via Zoom webinar. Sessions are also recorded so if you are unable to attend live, you will have access to the recording for a month afterwards.

Priscilla Morris is the author of Black Butterflies, which received high praise from around the world and was shortisted for the 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction. She grew up in London to a Yugoslav mother and English father, and went on to gain and MA and PHD in Creative Writing a the University of East Anglia. It was during her three years living in Brazil where Priscilla fell in love with and started to take seriously her writing. Priscilla lives most of the year in County Monaghan, Ireland, but spends her winters in Catalonia, Spain.

Five free places are available for this event for women on low-income, whose financial situation prohibits them from attending the event, resident in England or Wales, prioritising those from marginalised backgrounds (writers of colour, disabled writers, LGBTQ+ writers and other under-represented groups).

To apply, please email info@womensprize.com with the subject line: ‘Beginnings subsidised place’, with a little bit about yourself, why you are interested, how you think you will benefit from the session, and attaching any relevant paperwork you have. We will reply to you by Wednesday 3rd January at the latest. You can also opt to ‘gift’ a subsidised space with your ticket at the check-out.

If you are not sure what ‘low-income’ means, the Citizens Advice Bureau has some useful guidelines here, and there are some helpful calculations here to show how these margins are measured by the Government across the country. If you are a full-time student or pensioner, or in receipt of any kind of Universal Credit, you are eligible to apply. You may also submit HMRC self-assessment paperwork to show you are low-earning if you are self-employed and not in receipt of income support.