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There has always been a strong link between music and the written word. This island, as Shakespeare said, ‘is full of noises’ - so why not get yourself into the groove and see where the noise takes you? Music not only resounds with the rhythms of speech, but it has the added ability to unlock memories, many of which are ripe for poems and stories. On this course you will be encouraged to reflect upon those musical moments which have always meant the most to you. You will also take inspiration from other writers - both old and new - who have often used music and rhythm as a vital starting point in their work. As the course unfolds, you will be encouraged to listen to a range of music and discover what kinds of noises get us into the writing groove.

This course will include various approaches to music and writing. We will explore:

+ recorded music as a stimulus for creative writing

+ how writers across all ages have related to music.

+ the link between music and memory

+ new creative techniques while listening to music

+ the link between rhythm and writing, especially with regards to sentence construction and poetic form.