Tree Gazing

Well I am back!!!

See the Road to Ithaca page (link on the left panel) for a summary of my trip back to UK and other more personal accounts of life here in Cairo. Here, I shall just say 'I AM HAPPY TO BE HOME', by which I mean Cairo.

And already the rollercoaster started moving! With a new Creative Writing course that started Tuesday at Diwan and has 14 students (we are getting so consistently busy over there!) and a Short Story course starting this Saturday at Diwan, 3 other courses are booked in for starting in next weeks at 2 other venues, I hope to start collaborating in some way with El Mesa7a Cultural Centre which is just on my doorstep YAY!!! and of course I have the Writers' Centre to keep working with, expanding and nurturing.

Jenna and Keith, the two artists in residence extended their stay here at ARC (they are here until early June) and completed what sounded like a very successful project at the Townhouse Gallery, downtown. I have several enquiries from artists wishing to come July onwards and am also now looking at a bigger and separate space for artists to stay and work - so it is ALL going on! :)

Meanwhile the tree is spitting dry seed pods down onto the street and balconies, every short while one hears this eruption of crackle, snap and pop, sometimes in falling popcorn bursts.

Ahhh Cairo, I am glad to be home ♥

Short Story Course starting this Saturday May 26th at Diwan Heliopolis

Dear All
For those who have already taken the Creative Writing course; a reminder that the next Short Story course begins this Saturday May 26th 7.30pm at Diwan Heliopolis.
All details are below - only some places left!

Short Story Course
with Linda Cleary

for those who completed the 4 week Creative Writing course or who have proven writing skills.

This course focuses on work on character, voice, atmosphere and plot
and we continue with further creative writing expansion techniques.

We also read published short stories for discussion and understanding format,
focusing on the necessary elements for each student to produce a final draft of a 1000 word narrative.

4 weeks (8 hour course)
One session per week (2 hour session) on Saturdays
Starting 26th May
from 7:30 pm till 9:30 pm
at Diwan Heliopolis

Price: 480 L.E
Limited number - please register in advance at any Diwan store (and give date and course name)
Age group: for adults (17 yrs +)

Flowers

Dear All

I hope you are all shining*

Let me focus on some recent accomplishments; I have created the Writers' Centre www.writerscentre.blogspot.com and I have been continuing delivering a plethora of creative writing workshops, see below posts for all details. Jenna Crowder and Keith Lane, the two resident artists (see side panel for links on 'Other Pages'), have been staying for the month and will stay through to mid June, whilst they deliver workshops at the Townhouse.

The balcony continues to delight with its flowers of pink, green and yellow and the beautiful tree and birds that continue to soothe my days somewhat.

I will depart next week for a short trip to UK and then return to launch various new courses, events and initiatives - so keep watching!

All best, Linda ;))

Creative Writing Course starting at Diwan Tuesday May 22nd

*Starts Tuesday May 22nd! Register soon to get your place!

Creative Writing Course
with Linda Cleary

The Creative Writing course acts as an extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts as well as free writing.

There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.

4 weeks (8 hour course)
One session per week (2 hour session) on Tuesdays
Starting 22nd May
from 7:30 pm till 9:30 pm
at Diwan Heliopolis

Price: 480 L.E
Limited number - please register in advance at any Diwan store (and give date and course name)
Age group: for adults (17 yrs +)