Creative Writing Workshop at Chowgule College, Margao

GW member Jessica Faleiro conducted a two-part Creative Writing workshop at Parvatibai Chowgule College in Margao, on 16th December 2016 and 23^rd February 2017. Here's a report from Jessica:

After discussions with their English department, we decided to have the workshop in two parts:

Part 1 was held on 16^th December 2016.  It was a half-day session in the morning, covering the main elements of what makes a story and how to improve a story, and included ways of coming up with ideas for stories. I also conducted writing exercises with the students so that they each left the workshop with two to three bits of writing that they could then develop further into stories, if they wanted to. Sixteen students (mostly from English Literature and Creative Writing departments) attended this session, including three teachers and a visiting teacher of Linguistics from Australia. Most of the group were attentive, engaged and were open to sharing their own varied writing experiences.

Part 2 was held on 23^rd February 2017, as another half-day session. Students were instructed to bring in their own written work and photocopies were made and circulated to all present. The students had to read and peer review each other’s work, while I facilitated. I also illustrated how they could revise and edit their own work and modeled how they should take on as well as give constructive criticism. There were seven return students from the first session, and two new students as well as one teacher present for the second session. I was told that since most students were working on their term projects which were due later that week, they found it difficult to attend.  I guessed that a few students were fearful of having their work reviewed in class, so decided not to show up. 

That was fine because it meant that the students who were present wanted to be there, and had more attention given to their work and how to improve it. The students were lively, engaged, gave interesting comments and asked thoughtful questions. I spent extra time after class with students who wanted me to review other pieces they had been working on. There were two students who were keen on becoming travel writers and we had a brief discussion about travel writing. Another student had already published a couple of books online and shared his experience with the class. Later he and I discussed some story ideas he was working on and he felt he’d really benefited from attending both workshops.

In all, the students provided very positive feedback to the English Literature and Creative Writing teachers, who relayed their comments to me. Thanks for the opportunity! I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

- Jessica Faleiro

This was one of a series of ten workshops held by Goa Writers' members, funded by the sales proceeds of the Inside Out anthology.