About the course
Where do our stories and initial ideas come from? Let’s discover and see where the seeds and magic come from in our stories… In this workshop we’ll look and explore the sparks and seeds of our imagination tuning in by working with musical and visual stimulus.
We will use story examples and finger exercises to think about what makes up stories, and what sparks our brains to get writing. How the brain and fingers connect. Curious about writing? This writing workshop is for those picking up the pen for the first time, or those more experienced. This workshop will be delivered by writer Shazia Altaf and will encourage you to get writing in a fun and invigorating way.
Meet the writer
After the workshop, sign up for a 10 minute slot to chat with Shazia about writing—how to get started, your work, getting published, being a writer…anything you want to know!
Who is it for?
All underrepresented writers—those who face barriers to opportunities due to mental health issues, physical health/disability, sensory impairment, learning disabilities, neurodivergence, substance misuse, survivors, working class backgrounds, and those from the LGBTQIA+ community, Black, Asian, traveller, mixed heritage, or other global majority backgrounds.
About the tutor
Shazia Altaf is a writer from the North of England. She studied History, has worked in libraries, government, call centres, as a shop merchandiser, as well as other things. She won the 2021 Creative Future Writers’ Award Platinum Prize for her short story ‘Essential Thread’, which was published in CFWA’s 2021 anthology, Essential, and which she performed at the Southbank Centre, London. Her debut novel was shortlisted for the inaugural Primadonna Novel Prize in 2021, and her work was also listed for the 2021 Exeter Short Story Prize for ‘Lepidoptera’. Her short story ‘Selling Oil’ was published in the Bricklane New Writers Anthology 2022.
Shazia has been awarded an Arts Council England Grant for her current work in progress, a historical fiction novel. Shazia has in 2024 been appointed to be a part of CF Advisory Board group and appointed the Creative Future Writer in Residence in 2025. Shazia is signed up to Marianne Gunn O’Connor Literary, Film & TV Agency.
Date & Time
Monday 23 March 2026
1.00pm – 4.00pm
Access
You can see our full access commitments here. Please add any additional requirements when booking.
Please get in touch if you have particular needs we can try and accommodate on info@creativefuture.org.uk or 01273 234 780 (Tuesdays only or voicemail). This can include:
- disabled access
- help with travel costs
- help with childcare costs
Cost
FREE. Advance booking is recommended.
Other workshops
We are offering as many workshops and as many places as our resources allow—they are heavily subsidised by our limited funding.
You might also want to have a look at other workshops on offer elsewhere.
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