William Sutton's Blog

WiP2 Writing Workshops at Fareham Live

Thanks to Fareham Live for inviting WiP2 to deliver their writing workshop programme. WiP2 helps hundreds of local writers across venues from Cosham to Clarence Pier, from Petersfield to Fratton. We’re seeing our writing community thrive, from writers starting their journey to many enjoying publication day.

“Will is great teacher. I found his workshop inspiring – pitched at the right level for me when I was in the state of mind where I wasn’t sure if I could call myself a writer. Confidence is everything when you’re writing. His workshop helped me realise that we all have a unique voice that’s never been heard before, but no one will hear it, if you don’t just WRITE.”

Workshops 2-4 pm, third Friday of the month, for writers of all levels

23.1.26 Inspiration to Full Stop— William Sutton

Get started with your writing. How do we develop ideas? How to build on intuition? What techniques and discipline can bring our writing goals closer? We explore inspiration, character, plot, voice, theme.

“More than good value for money”“Loved interacting with the other participants.” “I’ve benefitted from Will’s infectious enthusiasm.”

Novelist William Sutton is a dynamic and engaging tutor whose workshops have helped many writers from first steps towards publication.

20.2.26 Writing Your Life: “I Come from…”  — Christine Lawrence

A welcoming and fun two-hour workshop to explore how we can use life experiences to add depth and colour to our writing, whether novel, play, poetry or short story.

“Informative, interesting and inspirational.”“I always love Christine’s workshops – so welcoming.”“Dynamic tutor”

Christine Lawrence has published five novels set around Fareham, Portsmouth and Hampshire. She runs the writing workshop programme at the Pallant Centre, Havant.

20.3.26 (2.30-4.30pm) Writing for Procrastinators— William Sutton

Mañana, mañana. Does your writing linger in your drawer? Come and be coaxed into breaking through. Turn weaknesses into strengths. Develop characters, settings, plots, endings. Crash through blocks and get words on the page in these friendly, informal workshops.

“What a brilliant workshop!”“I’ve realised I need to keep in touch with a group of writers to keep my own novel at the front of my mind – instead of procrastinating!”“Tutor was dynamic, knowledgeable, encouraging, empathetic.”

17.4.26 Write Your Crime Novel— William Sutton

Knife in the back, arsenic in your cocktail– how will you kick off your crime novel? Encompassing mystery, cosy crime and detective, crime writing crosses over with thrillers, suspense, historical, supernatural, fantasy, and sci-fi. This friendly, informal workshop helps you develop ideas — characters, plot, world-building — moving your story from inspiration towards an achievable project. (Several previous participants now published!)

“Stimulating”“Loved the use of objects and photographs to stimulate ideas.”“Enjoyed being challenged and encouraged.”

    

    

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Jamie and the Jets head out on tour this winter, bringing Jamie’s offbeat songwriting brilliance along with the Jets’ trademark harmonies to Southsea. Grab a friend, grab a coffee (or wine) and a vegan snack, and join us for a night of great music and good vibes, hosted by Brian and the lovely crew at Hunter Gatherer Café on Albert Road (where it meets Highland Rd and Festing Grove).

Tickets: Jamie & the Jets, with Million Pebble Beach £8 / £5 concs in advance; £10 / £6 on the night

 

Opening the evening is Million Pebble Beach, nom de guerre of Portsmouth’s singer-songwriter-pianist, Claire Baker. Her songs have been described as whimsical wisdom, vividly imagined dream-like stories and journeys.

 

7 pm Doors7.30 Million Pebble BeachJamie & the Jets 8.15Done and dusted by 9.30

If you can’t get enough of the Jets, seek us at:

10 Dec Clerkenwell Arstlab

20 Dec Candelight Sessions Gosport SOLD OUT

24 January MND Fundraiser Southsea

 

 

Friday 29 November
Hunter Gatherer Café, 249 Albert Road, Portsmouth PO4 0JR

7 pm Doors7.30 Million Pebble BeachJamie & the Jets 8.15Done and dusted by 9.30

If you can’t get enough of the Jets, seek us at:

10 Dec Clerkenwell Arstlab

20 Dec Candelight Sessions Gosport SOLD OUT

24 January MND Fundraiser Southsea

 

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WiP2 and wider Writing in Portsmouth November 2025 Events

Sat 1 Nov · 10–12:30 SCRIBBLERS’ SALON  William Sutton — online

Mon 3 1–3 Kettle Tales                Gary Fyles — Cosham Community Kettle

(Mon 3 1–3 Murder, Mystery, Mayhem  Christine Lawrence, Jackie Green — Theatre Royal)

Tue 4 7–9   Writing for Procrastinators 1/3 William Sutton — Petersfield Museum

Wed 5 7–8:30 Editing Club               William Sutton — online

Thurs 6 1–3 Writing for Wellbeing SanPau Creative — URC Buckland

Fri 7 10–12:30 SCRIBBLERS’ SALON      William Sutton — online

Tue 11 7–9 Writing for Procrastinators 2/3 William Sutton — Petersfield Museum

Fri 14 2–4 Writing from Folklore & Nature Victoria Leslie — Theatre Royal

Mon 17 6:15–8:30 Seawords Scribbling Social  William Sutton — Coffee @ The Pier

Tue 18 4–6 Write to be Heard       Christine Lawrence — Motiv8, Fratton

Tue 18 7–9 Writing for Procrastinators 3/3 William Sutton — Petersfield Museum

Fri 28 2–4 Edit Your Writing (TBC) William Sutton — Theatre Royal

And my poem for Pompey Poetry Party’s Big Screen National poetry day:

 

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A post shared by Pompey Poetry Party (@pompey_poetry_party)

Many workshops in the first half of Nov; hey, Cosham, come along tomorrow to Kettle Tales; and Buckland, come and try Writing for Wellbeing (do book – just three spots left).

New event Seawords Scribbling Social is a sort of Writers’ Hub reboot, more get-together than workshop: dress warm, and do tell friends who want to write/talk writing but don’t want to come to workshops. Writing from Folklore & Nature will be brilliant with Victoria Leslie at Theatre Royal (also dress warm). “Loved how Victoria shared her knowledge – and also her book collection.”

Up at Petersfield Museum, my three-week Writing for Procrastinators has recharged many a writing battery and kickstarted several published books. “I realised I need to feel part of a community to give my own writing the best chance.”

I’m delighted how many writers we’ve reached with workshops and with the community feel at workshops and on our various follow-up WhatsApp groups (ask me if this is of interest). I do note that, at the recent Portsmouth Creates social event, I had to draw my own literature box on the lanyard: as often, writing is invisible – even during #InOurWords year of literature.

If I’m to keep all this going, I will need to seek help for marketing, media, accounting and workshop planning—advice welcomed (and thanks to those who have already helped with suggestions, tea and companionable advice). Hope to see you at an event writerly or social soon.

William

     

William Sutton

 williamgeorgesutton@gmail.com william-sutton.co.uk/events instagram.com/wip2writingworkshops WiP2Please Feel Free to Share:

Our WiP2 writing workshops are expanding to wider corners of the city, supported by Portsmouth Creates #InOurWords festival, showing that Portsmouth can still be city of literary inspiration.

One year on from beginning our ongoing programme at THEATRE ROYAL, and Portsmouth Bookfest’s Writing Retreats, forty + workshops and several hundred happy writer attendees later, our Portsmouth Creates backing is supporting free workshops at

– Community Kettle CIC Kettle Tales at Cosham Community Kettle
– United Reformed Church Buckland Writing for Wellbeing (workshop series), co-produced with Dr @Sandra Walker of SanPau Creative Wellbeing
– Motiv8 Fratton – Write to be Heard
– coming up Seawords @Coffee at the Pier

along with two workshops at NTR

Flyweight – Fighting Names (poetry workshop), Theatre Royal with Maggie Sawkins Writing from Folklore and Nature, with Victoria Leslie
and my series
Writing for Procrastinators 3-week course Petersfield Museum at Petersfield Museum and Art GalleryWe also– run online sessions for local novelists,– coordinate writing retreats,– send writing news mailouts,– oversee whatsapp groups,– suggest writing critique circlesWe’re hoping to find even more venues and to partner with more local writing groups to offer the broadest range of workshops, from beginners to experienced, in many genres, accessible to all.

 

We’ve been on Victory Online, bbc solent, Express FM, Petersfield’s Shine Radio, and in the Portsmouth Council Flagship mail-out.

 

Please do mention it to friends who want to write — the #Portsmouth literary scene is not the most visible, but we’re here and thriving, as evidence by our dozen brilliant local writer-facilitators – Alison Habens, Tom Sykes, Christine Lawrence, Gary Fyles, Lucy Ashton, Vincent Adams, Maggie Sawkins, Victoria Leslie, with more coming up next year – and our writers from the beginners to those getting published, which is more and more of you.

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From Mark Iles:

Update on our Your Space writing group, Gosport.

The first meeting went brilliantly, with nine writers in attendance.The level of work was very high.We’ve expanded the session from 11.00 to 13.00, the next being on Halloween, Friday 31st October.Please Feel Free to Share:

 

WiP2 Writing Workshops Across the City
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I’m so pleased that our writing workshops at Theatre Royal have brought writers new and experienced together, exploring new genres and enjoying the sense of community. We’re hoping to bring this sense to wider areas of Portsmouth, offering free writing workshops in Cosham, Buckland and Fratton, supported by Portsmouth Creates #InOurWords. The workshops aim to spark the imagination, build confidence, and offer a safe, supportive space for expression, whether through stories, poems, or playful writing exercises.

We’d love to bring would-be writers out of the woodwork, and we’d appreciate any help you can give by letting friends in these areas know about our new workshops:

Writing for Wellbeing

1 – 3 pm first Thursday of the month, United Reformed Church Buckland, PO2 7LP. From this Thursday, in collaboration with Sandy Walker and Maggie Nevill of SanPau Creative, these sessions are free to attend, but places limited, so it would really help if you book: wegottickets.com/event/674333

1 – 3 pm Thursday 2 October6 November4 December.

Kettle Tales

1 – 3 pm first Monday of the month: Community Kettle in Cosham, PO6 2PS.
Just drop in, grab a cuppa, and get writing. You can book in order to make a donation to the Kettle:

1 – 3 pm Monday 6 October3 November1 December

Alongside these community groups, Write to be Heard, at Motiv8 Fratton, gives young people the chance to share their words.

 

I’m at the Pallant Centre, Havant in Christine Lawrence’s workshop series
Sat 11 Oct 10 am –12 pm Writing for Procrastinators: ticketsource.co.uk/christine-lawrence

Upcoming workshops at Theatre Royal on poetry, folklore, and children’s writing:

Fri 10 Oct Engaging Children through Workshops & Reading    Gary FylesFri 24 Oct Flyweight: Fighting Names (poetry workshop)             Maggie SawkinsFri 14 Nov Writing from Folklore & Nature                                    Victoria Leslie

These will be good: Gary and Victoria’s workshops earlier in the year had participants buzzing, and Maggie is one of the most experienced and nurturing workshop leaders around.

“learned a lot”“very engaging delivery, encouraged you to think about concepts, ideats for getting going, emphasising self-belief”“Enjoyed Gary’s range of knowledge. Brilliant”

Christine Lawrence runs this month’s Petersfield Museum programme. I’ll be back in November:
petersfieldmuseum.digitickets.co.uk

Tues 7 Oct Creative Journal Writing Workshop               Christine LawrenceTues 14 Oct Developing Your Setting                                Christine LawrenceTues 21 Oct ‘I Come From’ Memoir/Life Writing             Christine LawrenceTues 4, 11, 18 Nov Writing for Procrastinators                             William Sutton

Gosport

Mark Isles is starting a writing group on the last Friday of each month (expandable, given attendance). Times are 11.00 to 12.30, venue is ‘Your Space’ 51/52 Gosport High Street. Please let him know if you’d like to attend, so they have an idea of numbers. Format is attendees read a 10 minute extract of their work, for others to critique – roles are then reversed. This is a positive environment intended to increase our creative and editing skills.

Beyond this we have:

Editing Club (online): Wed 5 Nov 7:00–8:30 pm. We kick around edits for a few pages, two writers submitting, 45 mins each. A collaborative constructive endeavour.

Writing Retreats: Portsmouth Central Library/online: Fri 12 Dec & Sat 13 Dec · 10:00–13:00

      

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(WiP)² — Autumn 2025: Quick Calendar

Workshops, New Theatre Royal

Fri 12 Sept 2 – 4 pm Meeting Your Muse                                                Alison HabensFri 26 Sept Writing for Procrastinators                                     William SuttonFri 10 Oct Engaging Children through Workshops & Reading                  Gary FylesFri 24 Oct Flyweight: Fighting Names (poetry workshop) Maggie SawkinsFri 14 Nov Writing from Folklore & Nature        Victoria Leslie

Kettle Tales — Cosham Community Kettle (monthly, first Monday)

Mon 8 Sept 1:00–3:00 pm Kettle Tales, writing group                 William SuttonMon 6 Oct 1:00–3:00 pm                                         Christine LawrenceMon 3 Nov 1:00–3:00 pmMon 1 Dec 1:00–3:00 pm

Write to be Heard — Motiv8 (Fratton) (monthly, third Tuesday)

Tue 16 Sept 4 – 6 pm Write to be Heard, writing group       Tue 21 OctTue 18 NovTue 16 Dec

Scriptwriting for Wellbeing, URC Buckland (monthly, first Tuesday)

Thu 2 Oct 1 – 3 pm                     Scriptwriting for Wellbeing                SanPau CreativeThu 6 NovThu 4 Dec

Scribblers’ Salon (online) (bi-monthly, first Saturday odd months)

Sat 7 Nov 10 am –12:30 pm

Editing Club (online)

Wed 5 Nov 7:00–8:30 pm

Writing Retreats — Lower Ground Floor Portsmouth Central Library

Fri 12 Sept & Sat 13 Sept 10:00–13:00Fri 12 Dec & Sat 13 Dec 10:00–13:00

Workshops, Petersfield Museum petersfieldmuseum.digitickets.co.uk

Tues 9, 16, 23 Sept 7 –9 pm From Inspiration to Full Stop    William SuttonTues 7 Oct Creative Journal Writing Workshop                       Christine LawrenceTues 14 Oct Developing Your Setting                                       Christine LawrenceTues 21 Oct ‘I Come From’ Memoir/Life Writing                     Christine LawrenceTues 4, 11, 18 Nov Writing for Procrastinators                       William Sutton

Workshops, Pallant Centre, Havant ticketsource.co.uk/christine-lawrence

Sat 11 Oct 10 am –12 pm Writing for Procrastinators                 William SuttonSat 8 Nov                                         Editing Poetry                           Margaret JenningsSat 13 Dec                                         Christmas Stocking               Christine Lawrence

End of term social and sharing get-together

Wed 17 Dec (TBC)

More & bookings: william-sutton.co.uk/events
Supported by: Portsmouth Creates · #InOurWords

 

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A message from our friends delivering workshops at Pallant Centre Havant:

The long sunny days seem a distant memory already and it’s only September!To brighten your Saturday why not pop along to the Pallant Centre on 13th September! I will be talking about short story competitions and how I believe they can kick start your creative juices if they have been flagging. If you are in the middle of a long project, a novel, memoire or poetry collection, finding, writing and entering a competition is a great boost and the satisfaction of finishing something and (more importantly) sending it out is immense!I will talk about the ones to avoid and tips to maximise your chances.Sat 13th September 2025 ‘THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY’ Short Story Competition Workshop – Starts at 10 amGood fun and refreshments included for just £12Booking link: Christine Lawrence event tickets from TicketSource.Next month Will Sutton is back with his ‘WRITING FOR PROCRASTINATORS’ workshop which offers advice on how to combat the millions of everyday obstacles that stop you writing!Saturday 11th October 2025In November Margaret Jennings is offering tips on editing. ‘EDITING POETRY’ This is a non-prescriptive workshop that will build skills and confidence.Saturday 8th NovemberAll our workshops offer a relaxed, chatty format and we look forward to seeing you at The Pallant again soon.Kind regardsJackie GreenWorkshops offered over the next 8 months:

MONTHLY CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS

The Pallant Centre, Havant, P09 1BE
Cost: £12 each 10 am – 12 noon (refreshments included)

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/christ...

or email for more info to
lawrence.christine14@gmail.com or
jackieherts@yahoo.co.uk

Sat 13th September 2025 ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ Jackie Green
Hints and tips on finding, entering and writing for competitions.
Sat 11th October 2025 ‘Writing for Procrastinators’ Will Sutton
Will offers advice on how to combat the millions of everyday obstacles that stop you writing!
Sat 8th November 2025 ‘Editing Poetry’ Margaret Jennings
Margaret was Head Judge for a national poetry competition and shares her editing tips.
Sat 13th Dec 2025 ‘Christmas Stocking Pick & Mix’ Christine Lawrence
Using Christmas treats and memories as prompts for writing stories or poems.
Sat 10th January 2026 ‘Ready, Steady, Go!’ Jackie Green
Get the New Year off to a great start with a writing plan and a workshop on story structure.
Sat 14th February 2026 ‘Write Your Crime Novel’ Will Sutton
You are cordially invited to a ‘Valentine’s Day Murder!’ Exploring the crime novel genre
Sat 14th March 2026 ‘Morning Words’ Margaret Jennings
Sat 11th April 2026 ‘Creative Journal Writing’ Christine Lawrence

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Writing in Portsmouth Sept ’25 

Dear Writers,

WiP2 autumn writing workshops at NTR begin with a social this Friday, writing retreat mid-month, and Muses inspirational workshop:

29 Aug 2 – 4 pm Portsmouth Writers’ Social, New Theatre Royal (£5 optional contribution) 3 Sept 7 pm Weds  Editing Club                       online 9, 16, 23 Sept 7 pm From Inspiration to Full Stop William Sutton, Petersfield Museum 12/13 Sept 10 – 1 pm Fri/Sat  Writing Retreats    Portsmouth Central   Library/online 12 Sept 2-4 pm Meeting Your Muse             Alison Habens, novelist, poet 26 Sept 2-4 pm Write for Procrastinators 3/3 William Sutton, novelist, procrastinator

The Writing Retreats have been an inspiration to us all. Do come along in-person or online.

Very engagingI learnt a lotLoved being part of a supportive group

We’re starting workshop series at

Cosham Community Kettle (Kettle Tales)SanPau Creative Mental Health, BucklandMotiv8 Fratton

with support rom Portsmouth Creates #InOurWords. If you know people who’d enjoy these, point them in our direction. If you know groups/venues/schools/companies who might like writing workshops, give me a shout.

Give feedback on what you want from (WiP)2 workshops with this Google Form:
https://forms.gle/WPhAtXv7v9UrPndEA 

The biggest discovery from this year’s workshops is that there is a massive untapped demand for writing support — there are hundreds, if not thousands of people writing books, stories, poetry, scripts, and most of them are not yet finding the community.

Recent Successes

Attendees of recent courses are publishing books such as:

Christine Lawrence’s GraceLynne Stone’s ButterfliesAlexia Daniels’ La Vida LoCoTom Sykes’ Tangled Saviours (out 9/12/25).

It’s exciting to see writers taking their ideas the whole way, and from our Murder at the Museum: Crime Writing in Petersfield, just finished, I reckon we’ll see a few books in the not too distance future.

Got me thinking in a different wayVery relaxed atmosphereLoved this writing workshop

Happy writing to you all.

“Thanks for a great series of workshops. I thoroughly enjoyed them and got lots of info and motivation to ‘get going’ with my writing”“Your workshop was a brilliant catalyst.”

William Sutton
w         william-sutton.co.uk/WiP
i           @wip2writingworkshops
f                   WiP2
TitanBooks/william-sutton

Scribblers Salon: first Sat morning of the month, online

for those working on full manuscripts to share and be part of a generous community — ask for info.

Editing Club online
3 Sept 7 – 8.30 pm Weds 

From Inspiration to Full Stop  William Sutton, Petersfield Museum
9, 16, 23 Sept 7 pm

Writing Retreats          Portsmouth Central Library/online
12/13 Sept 10 – 1 pm Fri/Sat 

NTR (WiP)2 workshops Aug/Sept NTR TICKETS

The workshop at the NTR was incredible – it really spurred me on.you’ve been an inspirationThoroughly enjoyed our introduction to writing.Fri 29 Aug 2-4 pmPortsmouth Writers Hub socialWilliam Sutton et al.Fri 12 Sept 2-4 pmMeeting Your Muse

Tap into Ancient Greek wisdom and connect with the muses. Through guided exercises and mythic exploration, unlock the wellsprings of your creativity. Cultivate your own muse and channel your imaginationg into fresh storytelling or poetry.

Dr Alison Habens, novelist, poet, head of Creative Writing at UoPFri 26 Sept 2-4 pmWriting for Procrastinators (3 of 3)

Come back for part 3 and make a realistic plan to keep going on your writing journey.

William Sutton, lifelong procrastinator, novelist

Write Your Novel, Havant

Sat 13 Sept 10 -12   Writing Competitions – The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, with Jacke Green, Pallant Centre, Havant (light refreshments)

Oct: Mandi Garrie’s writing group at Portsmouth Central Library

Writing Group – Lucy Ashton 2nd & 4th Thursday of month

facebook.com/events/2891981290980336/   6.30-8.30pm, Havelock Centre. £10/discounts for blocks

Portsmouth Authors Collective: Speak Volumes, Hideaway Caf é

7 pm, fourth Weds of month: facebook.com/groups/portsmouthauthorscollective/events  

Here are a few poetry and writing sharing groups that may be useful to know about.

Pompey Poetry PartyT’Articulation EventsTongues and GroovesPompey Poetry PartyOpen Ya Mouth (Trash Arts)Portsmouth Writers’ HubPens of the EarthPlease Feel Free to Share:

Thanks to Motiv8 (Fratton) for welcoming (WiP)² to co-produce a creative writing workshop group at their fantastic venue in Fratton. These sessions offer young people the chance to explore storytelling, self-expression, and well-being through words–whether it’s poems, lyrics, dialogue, stories, or free writing.

Tues 16 Sept 4- 6 pm21 Oct18 Nov16 Dec

 

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