Having a book in mind – storying other people’s lives, with Raj Singh

Your Invitation: Are you interested in writing about the stories of other people? If so, you are welcome to join us for another creative and participative AWG session, facilitated by Raj.

Raj writes: I invite you to bring your curiosity to share ideas about story telling in writing. In our conversations we will engage in  the evolving stories of individuals in relationships with others. I take an anthropological stance in exploring the lived lives and experiences of individuals. I will share some thoughts and ideas about what brings me to writing, and explore the challenges involved in writing about people who have epilepsy and other conditions. Writers come to write about people in a web of relationships that at times are intertwined with life events. I aim to explore these relationships through the experiences of children and young people who have neurological conditions and learning disabilities. Such issues should resonate with you if you are thinking about such writing in other contexts as well.

About Raj: I am a Sikh and a psychologist, and that makes writing a challenge for me, as I want to offer brief insights from that perspective of psychological ideas regarding the experiences of growing up for the individuals with particular needs, At the same time, I would like a address the wider relevance and  universality of these ideas. I have certain notions and beliefs about the mind and its life, both internal and external, as people experience events in the world. In writing from my professional perspective,  I am also aware that I am creating stories about the experiences of other people who lack the means to do this for themselves.

Process: Please be curious and ask questions about such ideas. In the spirit of collegiate learning and collaboration I also hope that the workshop will evoke for you certain resonances with your own writing interests and spur your creative activities. Do bring writing materials (a notebook and a pen would be sufficient) to the workshop. I will provide A4 sheets for paired exercises to develop ideas. 

Cost:  £10, to be collected in cash on the door.  Proceeds will  help us cover the cost of room and equipment hire.

How to reserve your place:  If you would like to participate in this co-inquiry, please let Bob know by 3 October (earlier if possible). We’ll send you joining details nearer the time.

Do you have any suggestions for future AWG sessions?  If so, please get in touch, and we can discuss possibilities.

Kind regards.  Bob (MacKenzie), E: bob@amed.org.uk