A NEW writing group aims to provide inspiration, encouragement and support to wordsmiths in and around the dale.
The Barnard Castle Writers Group has been embraced by Teesdale-based script writers, aspiring novelists, short story writers, playwrites, poets and bloggers since it launched earlier this month.
Karina Hofman, who teaches creative writing at the University of Greenland, said: “I got Lisa [Frideborg] to put a post on Facebook group asking if anyone was interested in a writing group and there was quite a lot of people interested.”
More than 28 people signed up to the social media group in three days and the inaugural meetings were held last week at Andalucia Cafe.
Ms Hofman added: “Not everyone is looking to get published, but it is something to talk about.
“It is really meeting like-minded people, who are interested in the same thing.”
Meeting times and dates will remain flexible to suit members, but there are already plans for trips to inspirational locations in the dale to get the creative juices flowing.
She said: “I think we have a lot to offer a lot of people when they are here. It will be a great place to bounce ideas around and offer advice to one another.”
Lisa Frideborg, from Cotherstone, who has been blogging for the last 16 years, said: “I find it inspiring that we have all come together.”
Two further meeting dates have been pencilled into the diary, both at Andalucia Cafe, in Galgate.
Anyone interested in attending should visit The Barnard Castle Writers social media page at https://www.facebook. com/groups/330696475627926or email thebarnardcastlewrit ers@gmail.com.
The next meeting on Saturday, February 26, at 2pm.
Another scheduled for Tuesday, March 1, at 2pm when a topic for discussion will be writing routines.
