Break dancing on the creative button..
I'm so glad that....................
I'm so glad that the sun is shining and the day has started in a positive way
I'm so glad that I've made a lovely new friend who lives in Australia
I'm so glad that I have everything to sustain my health and well being; a home, food, family, friends and love
I'm so glad that my life is structured and I have lots of projects to be involved in
I'm so glad that I have a close family that I treasure.
(*Use exercise for well being session)
Creative Writing - writing to describe how you feel, the sights, sounds, smells, tastes. Be specific and write in detail about your situation.
Expressive Writing - free writing, put the pen down on the paper and just let what's in there come out. Minimal thought structure, just transfer from head to page!
Character Development
Take the photo and build you own character:
Name: Stanley D'Oliviera
Role: Civil Rights Lawyer
Home: Lives in South London with his elderly mother, originally from South Africa.
Describe an activity of his: Stanley took on the case of 50 Syrian refugee children who had been refused entry to the UK. The case went all the way to the High Court and was won against almost insurmountable odds. The victory won rapturous fanfare from the families and dismay from some of the right wing press.
Dialogue
Me & Stanley having a chat:
Owen: It's just so hot in this office today, I must escape and get some fresh air!
Stanley: This is nothing compared to back home, try 40c in the shade young man!
Owen: That's us Brits alright, never happy with the weather, rain or shine!
Stanley: Ahhh the eccentric British obsession with the weather, and drinking tea!
Owen: Don't forget the best part, cricket! The sound of leather on willow!! Ah Jerusalem!!
Stanley: You stiff upper lip English gents are no match for us Springboks, we've got a bit of fight in us, a bit of mongrel!
Owen: Yes ok, but you can't make a cuppa for toffee! And you've obviously never met a Geordie!
Use these words..
Castle, House, Cottage, Garden, Door.
As Les left the cottage and sped from the North Pennines to the Northumberland Coast, he realised he would have to pass the place where it all began. A sense of foreboding seeped through him. The walls of Walkworth Castle loomed large, with its intimidating door and high turrets. He struggled to breathe as he passed by in the car, only finally finding some peace as he returned home, walking through the garden and into the safety of the house.
Homework!
Personal choice:
1. Write about Begbie and his relationship with his dad. How did he end up where he was? This was obviously such an influence to be the name of the film. Is that where his rage and inner sadness came from? Did he come to peace with it in the end? Develop this story.
2. Reflect on and try to recall the text of "The day of the dearly departed". The thoughts and feelings it brought up. Try and rewrite what you can remember and then maybe try and write what you would say today. If not too epic, write a new poem.
Post session thought....
Poetry is a beautiful form of expression, both reading and writing. One of my favourite poems and also the shortest of all time (in the record books still) was written by the boxer Muhammad Ali to describe his relationship with the people of the world, with humanity. It's be beautiful in its elegant simplicity and simply states:
Me. We.
I love that sentiment, I am you and you are me and we are together as one entity. As a collective or community, we strive together as a human race and all share the experience of struggles and triumphs. If we are together we are stronger.