Saturdays 12.30-2pm
This class is taught by a group of tutors who take turns teaching the class for (usually) a month at a time
Scroll down to the poster below for the April-July 2026 schedule
Jump start your writing. In these sessions we’ll be using creative prompts and exercises to get you writing. These lively, fun classes focus on small blocks of writing to help you build confidence and develop your skills. If you’ve never taken a writing class before or you’re feeling a bit stuck creatively, this small class will get the words flowing.
- No experience necessary
- Join in anytime and do as many classes as you like
- $7.50/$6.50* with a concession card or $15/$13* casual. Concession cards can be used interchangeably to pay for any of our Centre-run classes and are valid for a year from the date of purchase. There are $45/$39* and $75/$65* options available
- *Discount for Community Service Card holders
- No enrolment but numbers are limited by the space in the room so book ahead to avoid disappointment. You can book as many dates as you like up to 8 weeks in advance
- To book, follow this link, or you can email arts@tewhare.org or phone 981 2881. Please give us a phone contact when you book
- These classes are not suitable for children
- All materials supplied
- Scan the booking link below or click here: Creative Writing | LAB
2022-2025 Creative Writing was taught by Frankie McMillan
Guests:
- As part of Frankie’s class on 11 November, AMY HEAD will speak about her newly released book, “Signs of Life.”TWO SPECIAL GUESTS will take the class in October and November: Gail Ingram will take “Political Poems” on 14 October and James Norcliffe will take “Ways into Poetry” on 21 October and 4 November.
Readings from the EASTSIDE SCRIBES is on Saturday 7 October from 1-2pm. This is a free event where regulars to the class will read their works. There will also be live music.
- GAIL INGRAM: Political poems – where the personal collides with power and the policies of the day, how to seamlessly word-weave these two parallel worlds in a poem. Study some excellent examples of political poems from Aotearoa and use these as models for writing your own.
- JAMES NORCLIFFE: Ways into Poetry – two or three poems illustrating aspects of poetry will be discussed and these will be used as models for students’ own work. Norcliffe is a poet, novelist, editor and educator. He has published eleven collections of poetry, and over a dozen novels for young people. Last year he was awarded the NZ Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement in poetry, and earlier this year the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal.
- Regular tutor FRANKIE McMILLAN will take the class on 28 October and again from 11 November – 16 December.
