William Sutton's Blog

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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WiP²: Work in Progress/Writing in Portsmouth Creative Writing Workshops, Retreats & Groups

Thanks to Portsmouth Creates’ #InOurWords initiative, we are able to expand and broaden our workshop offerings: see the draft dates below, soon to be confirmed.

Relaxed · Encouraging · Open to All

“Very engaging – got me writing in a new way!”“Loved this workshop – fun, friendly, focused!”What’s On – Autumn Highlights Creative writing with expert facilitators, New Theatre Royal (Fridays, 2nd & 4th of the month)

Experimental writing, folklore, poetry, children’s fiction & more
Central Portsmouth
Full line-up online

Kettle Tales @ Cosham Community Kettle

1st Monday of the Month, 1–3pm
Write your story. Share your voice. Connect.

Script Your Story @ Buckland United Reformed Church

1st Thursday of the Month, 1–3pm
Memoir, dialogue, writing for wellbeing
Co-led with SanPau Creative

Narr8, Rel8, Cre8 @ Motiv8 Fratton

3rd Tuesday of the Month, 4–6pm
Writing for young people finding their truth, voice & creativity

Editing Club (Online)

1st Wednesday, bi-monthly at 7pm
Live edit writers’ work together
Get in touch to submit a piece

Specials & One-Offs

Writing Retreats – Central Library

Fri & Sat 13–14 Sept13–14 Dec · 10am–1pm

Pallant Centre, Havant (2nd Sat, 10–12)

Sep: Writing Competitions

Oct: Writing for Procrastinators

Nov: Editing Poetry

Dec: Festive Writing Mix

Petersfield Museum – 3-week Courses

Sept: From Inspiration to Full Stop

Oct: Creative Journal Writing

Nov: Writing for ProcrastinatorsMore info & booking

william-sutton.co.uk/events 
williamgeorgesutton@gmail.com

Please Feel Free to Share:

Writing in Hampshire Aug ’25 

Writing for Procrastinators, Pallant Centre, Havant (light refreshments)

Sat 11 Oct 10 -12 Writing Competitions – The Good, The Bad, and the UglySat 11 Oct 10 -12 Writing for Procrastinators

3-week Inspiration & Procrastinators, Petersfield Museum

7 – 9 pm Tues Sept 9, 16, 23 From Inspiration to Full Stop, Petersfield Museum7 – 9 pm Tues Nov 4, 11, 18 Writing for ProcrastinatorsVery engagingI learnt a lotLoved being part of a supportive group

VIctorious

Look out for Tom’s Sykes’ writing workshops and performances.

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.

NTR WiP2 workshops July to Sept
NTR TICKETS:  Tickets: 2nd & 4th Friday of month, New Theatre Royal. Tickets £20/£10 conc  

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 into fresh storytelling or poetry.

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

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

William Sutton

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

Amanda Garrie’s writing workshops at Portsmouth Central Library 

Recent Successes

From previous novel-writing courses have come several books, notably

Chris Blackwater’s Emergency DrillNilima Rao’s A Disappearance in Fiji, andChristine Lawrence’s Don’t Step on the CracksSue Harper’s Blood and CoalTom Sykes’ Tangled Saviours (out 9/12/25).

        

Please Feel Free to Share:

Writing in Portsmouth Aug ’25 Read in browser / Hampshire Version

Very engagingI learnt a lotLoved being part of a supportive group

VIctorious

Look out for Tom’s Sykes’ writing workshops and performances.

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.

NTR WiP2 workshops July to Sept
NTR TICKETS:  Tickets: 2nd & 4th Friday of month, New Theatre Royal. Tickets £20/£10 conc  

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 into fresh storytelling or poetry.

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

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

William Sutton

Writing for Procrastinators, Pallant Centre, Havant (light refreshments)

Sat 11 Oct 10 -12 Writing Competitions – The Good, The Bad, and the UglySat 11 Oct 10 -12 Writing for Procrastinators

3-week Inspiration & Procrastinators, Petersfield Museum

7 – 9 pm Tues Sept 9, 16, 23 From Inspiration to Full Stop, Petersfield Museum7 – 9 pm Tues Nov 4, 11, 18 Writing for Procrastinators

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

Amanda Garrie’s writing workshops at Portsmouth Central Library 

Recent Successes

From previous novel-writing courses have come several books, notably

Chris Blackwater’s Emergency DrillNilima Rao’s A Disappearance in Fiji, andChristine Lawrence’s Don’t Step on the CracksSue Harper’s Blood and CoalTom Sykes’ Tangled Saviours (out 9/12/25).

        

Please Feel Free to Share:

DRAFT VERSION — several dates to be confirmed, but this is how the support of the #InOurWords festival is enabling (WiP)² to expand and broaden our workshop offering.

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DRAFT (WiP)² InOurWords Expansion CalendarSEPTEMBER 2025

Thu 4 Sep  SanPau Writing for Wellbeing 1–3pm · URC Buckland

Mon 8 Sep  Kettle Tales Writing Group 1–3pm · Cosham Community Kettle

Fri 12 Sep Writing Retreat 10am–12pm · Portsmouth Central Library
Fri 12 Sep NTR Workshop: Finding Your Muse 2–4pm · New Theatre Royal

Sat 13 Sep Writing Retreat 10am–12pm · Portsmouth Central Library

Tue 16 Sep Inking Out Loud 4–6pm · Motiv8 Fratton

Fri 26 Sep NTR Workshop: More Writing for Procrastinators 2–4pm · New Theatre Royal

OCTOBER 2025

Thu 2 Oct  SanPau Writing for Wellbeing 1–3pm · URC Buckland

Mon 6 Oct  Kettle Tales 1–3pm · Cosham Community Kettle

Fri 12 Sep NTR Workshop: Finding Your Muse 2–4pm · New Theatre Royal

TBC mid-Oct  Forum Theatre Facilitator Training 6–8pm · URC Buckland

Tue 21 Oct  Inking Out Loud 4–6pm · Motiv8 Fratton

NOVEMBER 2025

Mon 3 Nov –  Kettle Tales 1–3pm · Cosham Community Kettle

Thu 6 Nov  SanPau Writing for Wellbeing 1–3pm · URC Buckland

Tue 18 Nov Inking Out Loud 4–6pm · Motiv8 Fratton

Fri 28 Nov  NTR Workshop 2–4pm · New Theatre Royal

DECEMBER 2025

Mon 1 Dec[image error] Kettle Tales 1–3pm · Cosham Community Kettle

Thu 4 Dec  SanPau Writing for Wellbeing 1–3pm · URC Buckland

Fri 12 Dec  Writing Retreat 10am–12pm · TBC

Sat 13 Dec Writing Retreat 10am–12pm · Portsmouth Library

Tue 16 Dec Inking Out Loud 4–6pm · Motiv8 Fratton

TBC Christmas Sharing Events x 4 (details to follow)

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