Crafts Lviss

Lviss has unleashed his creative skills following the writing course and is now working towards publishing his poetry.

I had actually tried to get on to the course before but it was so oversubscribed that I had to wait two years! I heard about the course through my partner, as she’s done quite a few courses taught by GCDA and really enjoyed them. When I finally did get on to the course, I wasn’t in a good place. I just had a health scare and I had a couple of good friends die recently. I was quite low in confidence, and walking into the classroom, I felt a bit scared. But our teacher, Amanda, recognised that I was struggling, was really patient, and guided me. Over the weeks, as I sat in the classroom, something became unlocked. Within the first six weeks, we had to do a presentation, which was the first time I had had to stand in front of people and actually recite something that I’d written. I was shaking with fear, but I managed it, and it was such a liberation. From that point onwards my writing started to expand.

During the classes we covered various topics including different types of poetry, short stories, screen writing, proofreading and editing. One of the topics was flash fiction, and I have discovered that I really enjoy writing flash fiction. The course is very well structured and Amanda not only supports you but also challenges you. Sometimes she would set the writing task for the week, and I would genuinely feel that I couldn’t do it. But if you felt as though you couldn’t achieve what’s being asked, she was able to make you see it from a different angle and release the creativity within you. I’ve got to a point now that I write whenever and wherever I can. And I feel confident about sharing my writing with anyone. I am happy to recite a poem to the barista in the cafe or even a client at work.

I used to DJ and did that for over 20 years, but I stopped in 2006 and feel that I haven’t really been creative since then. I feel that the writing course has given me a renewed direction to unleash my creativity in a structured way, and it has given me the tools to condense my thoughts onto paper. Before I had all these ideas flying around inside my head, and I felt as though I had so much locked inside but now it's like I have an additional purpose because I feel that I’ve got something to tell. I think that writing has even helped me deal with and process the feelings of grief that I was having. So the title ‘Creative Writing for Wellbeing’, for me, it really means what it says.

Since this course I have attended the ‘Creating Writing Progression Group’ which brings together two sets of writers to develop together. Again I felt a little intimidated when I first attended because some of the people in it are quite established writers in their own right. But over the weeks because they are all so humble and caring and supportive, I felt really nurtured. And the inspiration and influence you get from the group is fantastic.

I would like to become a writer professionally and get a publishing deal. I am currently gathering my poetry and flash fiction from the bits of paper and different files on my laptop, into two separate books that I am looking to get published. But also I would like to host evenings with small audiences where I could share my poetry and discuss the meanings with the audience. I’m really interested in hearing other’s interpretations of my writing. I really enjoy writing but also talking about writing.

I can’t tell you how much this course has changed my life. If you have aspirations of being a writer or just want to be able to get your thoughts down on paper, this course is a must. The positivity generated in the room from the tutor and all the students is amazing.

I didn’t realise how much was available to people in the Royal Borough of Greenwich until I went to the Adult Community Learning Awards in July this year. I was there as a past student and had the opportunity to recite my poetry to that audience. And hearing about all the award winners and the courses they had attended made me realise how much is on offer. Now I know there is so much, I will be telling everyone I know to check out the website.

Lviss David
Creative Writing for Wellbeing
GCDA