If you’re looking for a place to share your interest in writing or reading…

Armchair Book Groups are online guided sessions that run on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, from 3pm – 5 pm (GMT), using Zoom.

Inspired-by-novels: Rhys, Barnes, Coetze and Fitzgerald

Eight sessions beginning either Monday 19th January, 2026, or Tuesday 20th January 2026.

Wide Sargasso Sea was published in 1966, a prequel to Charlotte Brontë’s 1847 novel, Jane Eyre; Julian Barnes’s 1984 novel is an attempt by a fictional biographer to write about the French writer, Flaubert; J.M. Coetzee’s 1986 novel, Foe, reinvents Daniel Defoe’s 1719 Robinson Crusoe adventure story, and in her 1995 novel, The Blue Flower, Penelope Fitzgerald explores seven years in the life of Friedrich von Hardenberg, a foundational figure of German Romanticism. 

Over the course of the eight sessions we’ll think about our responses to each of these in turn. All four were critically acclaimed, and have been called, literary. We’ll think about what that means, and share ideas about why authors look back to earlier writers.

You don’t have to have read any of the writings these four writers have been inspired by, we’ll be focusing on the stories of Rhys, Foe, Fitzgerald and Barnes and how they read. 

If you would like more information about joining any of these, please use my Get in Touch page.  

Clevedon face-to-face 6 week course starting January 7th 2026:

Reading Three Novels: Wide Sargasso Sea, Flaubert’s Parrot, Foe

For more information about booking a place on this course please see the CASA website.

Creative writing

First Draft Sundays are monthly on-line sessions, happening on the third Sunday of each month.

The emphasis is on inspiration, and creating some first drafts.

Let go of your writing inhibitions and embrace the fun and exhilaration of exploring your imaginative responses. Ink should flow and material emerge.

Aim to shut the door on the world of rules and restrictions, of plans and theories, and see where your subconscious takes you. 

Dates: 18th January, 15th February, 15th March.

40 thoughts on “If you’re looking for a place to share your interest in writing or reading…”

  7. Thank you for returning the visit.
    We’re mostly dreaming about spring and summer here – that’s human nature for you, I suppose. though in our defence, it’s not so much cool as soggy here..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • No problem, Jenny. Start date will be 23rd October, time is 10.15 – 12.15. We’ll be reading North & South by Mrs Gaskell. More details will follow. Look forward to seeing you again then.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  17. Wow Cath, you’re a DIAMOND! 💎 You’re brilliant. I love how you sparkle so beautifully, and generously cast your beauty on the rest of us. Thanks with much love and admiration! ❤️

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

  19. Dear Cath
    The WEA website tells me that your Thursday morning Creative Writing course is fully booked already. I had to wait till I had the funds but now I think I’m too late. I can’t do Mondays sadly. I don’t suppose you do another such course anywhere else? Sorry to bother you.
    Jenny Bradley

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

Leave a comment