About Creative Writing Masterclass: Writing Memories Together
Join us for a day-long creative writing workshop that explores shared memories and family stories. Through collaborative writing exercises, award-winning author Jarred McGinnis will help you find ways to write the funny, profound and chaotic stories that have shaped your lives together.
- This masterclass is designed for pairs: you and a family member or close friend
- booking one ticket reserves two places.
Throughout the day, participants will:
- learn techniques for drawing out and shaping memories
- develop one or two expanded pieces of creative writing
- explore the craft of writing from memory, using narrative and descriptive techniques drawn from the novel
- work with dialogue, detail and the five senses to bring stories to life
- consider how place and historical context can be evoked, with examples from contemporary British and world literature
- discuss the ethical challenges of writing about family and real people.
This masterclass is led by Eccles Institute Fellow and author Jarred McGinnis.
Your support
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Jarred McGinnis
Jarred has been named by The Guardian as one of the UK’s 10 best emerging writers.
Credit: Julia Grassi More
His debut novel The Coward won the First Novel Prize in France, and he is the recipient of the Eccles Centre & Hay Festival Writer’s Award. His latest novel, There Is No Meant to Be, will be published by Harvill Secker in 2026. Jarred regularly teaches creative writing for Arvon, Spread the Word and the National Centre for Writing, and has previously taught with First Story and Goldsmiths University. He is the winner of the Eccles Institute's Hay Festival Global Writer's Award.
Previous experience, preparation and accessibility
No preparation or previous experience is required for this course. It is suitable for all levels.
Please email adultlearning@bl.uk if you have any accessibility issues we can assist you with.
Concessions
There are a range of concessions available. These include discounts for Young Persons (16–25s) and visitors on Universal/Pension Credit. Press Book Now to see the full range of concessions for this event.
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