Hello writer friends, and this post should more accurately be titled: Ongoing Marketing Of A Local Writer Event, for this is what it shows and describes.

In just under two weeks, our local village litfest gets underway, a remarkable undertaking for a tiny village (one pub, and that’s it), masterminded by a magician called Michael Pugh.

I’m co-ordinating a writing workshop on the Sunday morning, highly interactive and with a cross-section of most interesting local writers, from young and emerging to, well, been round the blocks a few times (but youthful in spirit, you understand).

Each writer will offer a favourite way to take idea to page, and I’m trying to convey this in this video, along with each writer’s credentials for being on stage.

So I remember Ingrid Lill’s approach and thought I’d use that as a framework, a heart to show beloved theme, and stars for credentials. While having so few words available can feel constraining, it does seem to help with focus. Despite having been a writer for so long, doing this exercise I realized that the novel, short stories and poems I’ve had published are all about psychological haunting. This was something to chew over in my breakfast buttie.

Now I’ve no idea whether this approach will drum up interest and bring people in – and you’ll have to wait for next month’s update to know more. But this laser like use of focus is fascinating to explore and discuss with writer friends here. It feels reductionist, but also committed.

What would your heart and stars be? As always please feel free to let me know, and if it’s summer where you are, may it be glorious and inspiring. And if by any chance, you’re in West Wales weekend of the 9th-11th of August, we’d love to meet you.