Books And The Places We Read

On Friday the 27th of March we took part in a Creative Writing workshop where we explored how the books we have read, fallen in love with, can inspire new creative material. Below are some of the pieces that were created.

Shaun

Writing exercise one

Here I sit with coffee beside me and Rosemary’s Baby in my hand. I have sat here for sometime now; only just realised how lost I’ve been in the book. It has been quite the tale, really gripped me more than any book ever has in my seventeen years of walking, breathing and reading on this earth. My goodness…the book only has a few pages left unread. What could lie within them? Only the answers to my questions. I need to know how this book ends. It is like my life depends on it. Yes. I may never share my thoughts on this book with anyone but me, myself and I but that doesn’t matter because my thoughts on the book are all that really matter. But then, I can’t escape this feeling, deep inside me…this dread of never being able to talk to anyone about this book. Oh what a lonely world it is when you return to the real world and remember these characters you’ve read about only existed in your mind. Yet…they do exist! The author who wrote this book; these characters exist to them so therefore they exist for me too. I must meet them.

Writing exercise two

I have a nickel in my hand. Question now is…do I buy a book or a pie? Man, that’s a really tough decision. I need a book, always need new books even though I’ve still not finished reading the ones I’ve already got on my shelf. Ah well, I’m outside now walking on this cobblestone path down our sweet old pier. May as well head to the shop now.

‘Spare a shilling my good lad.’

Oh, when the hell did this guy show up? He’s well dressed, a bit old-fashioned in appearance, but smart nonetheless. What’s he asking me for that though? That currency doesn’t exist here.

‘Come on lad, you must have some in your purse.’

‘Excuse me! This is a wallet’ or so I claim. Tired of his antics, I brush past him and run to the nearby trees, careful to hide my face from the nearby lions. Bet those pesky beasts want the peach in my pocket. Well, suckers they are, this delicious fruit is mine. Better be checking my watch…Christ! Is that the time? The shops will be closing soon.

Screw it. I’m just going head to college. Or maybe I’ll head to my granddad’s farm. See his lovely shepherd dog. Christ, I miss the countryside…