Archive: more information

WInk:

WInk worked one-to-one with participants on the Programme to define their aspirations and goals clearly, to work towards these through Personal Development Plans.

One-to-one (individual feedback) sessions helped participants to achieve their plans. The emphasis of these meetings was determined by the participant and ranged from reviewing the personal development plan, to editorial advice meetings on written work.

Peer assessment meetings were held once every two months, where the writers came together to give feedback to each member of the group.

Workshops addressed particular aspects of writing identified by the writers on the Programme as areas they wished to work on, e.g. character development, and how to edit.

WInk also held book review meetings and skill share sessions. Book reviews were informal and designed to develop discussion around techniques of published authors.  Each participant engaged in delivering a skill share session.  This was an opportunity to lead a workshop, gaining insight into one of the many ways writers earn a living.

WInk developed as a response to the closure of Yorkshire Art Circus. 

 

Ink Tank:

The Ink Tank worked solely with writers who had been on previous development programmes with Yorkshire Art Circus.

This involved monthly peer assessment and focus group meetings.  The programme expanded to include informal Reading Review meetings similar to Write in Ink.

Monthly Peer assessment meetings enabled participants to gain regular feedback on ongoing work.

Monthly Focus Group meetings gave writers the opportunity to discuss personal development according to goals that were established by each individual at the outset.  The group then gave advice to each individual re: this development.  The Focus Group created a strong sense of group identity early on, and was a useful tool to chart progress.

This earlier version of the Ink Tank did not include workshops or master classes.

The Ink Tank developed as a response to the closure of Yorkshire Art Circus.

Yorkshire Art Circus

Beccy Stirrup co-wrote the first Writer Development Programme for Yorkshire Art Circus in 2004.  This ran successfully in various forms for the next four years.  Unfortunately YAC suffered funding cuts in 2008 that meant that it could no longer continue.

This left a substantial gap in provision for writers, and with the blessing of the Yorkshire Art Circus, Beccy Stirrup developed Write in Ink and the Ink Tank to continue the development of writers YAC had been working with. 

The new Ink Tank brought the best bits from courses that Beccy had previously delivered together.

The New Ink Tank

The New Ink Tank was a 10-month professional development programme for writers.

The course offered participants the opportunity to focus on their writing through a structured programme of monthly peer assessment and focus group meetings, workshops, masterclasses and reading reviews.

All activities were scheduled on weekends and evenings, enabling participants to fit the programme into their working life.

The Ink Tank was a highly successful and enjoyable programme to run, however, as my commitments grew elsewhere I was unable to continue the Ink Tank.

If you are interested in developing your writing to the next level, and would like some guidance in doing so, go to The Ink Spot and see if one-to-one support might help you.

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to get in touch by mobile: 07749 976 168, or email Beccy on beccy.ink@gmail.com.