A Tale of Three Cities
Creative writing is a wonderful way to look at your own world and explore what it means to you. A Tale of Three Cities is on a mission to encourage new writing in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.
Throughout 2005
A Tale of Three Cities struck gold when Ian McMillan was appointed as Poet Laureate for the Three Cities.
Ian is one of the nation's most popular poets and a well-known name from radio and television. This summer he visited all three cities, seeking out everything characteristic, typical or curious. Amongst others, in Derby he went to the cathedral, the historic Gaol and Rolls Royce; in Nottingham, to the castle, the caves and out on the community narrowboat; in Leicester, to the Space Centre and the central market.
What does the city mean to you? An everyday place...
He met people who see the cities from all sorts of different viewpoints - stallholders at the farmers' market, asylum-seeking families in Normanton, lesbians and gays preparing for Pride. Whoever he met, Ian asked - 'what do you think is special about your city?' The answers varied (though everyone said 'gridlock!') but with a poet's ear, Ian was particularly taken by the way we speak in the three cities. The resulting poem is 'Here. Now. Then.'One of the aims of A Tale of Three Cities was to encourage the creation of new writing communities; groups and individuals who might discover the pleasure of creative writing through the project, but who will continue to enjoy it forever as a precious part of their lives.
Six talented local writers were recruited to head up a programme of workshops to help people write about their city. The creative writing workshops were held in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester and welcomed new and experienced writers.
Ian McMillan (the one on the right)at BBC Nottingham
Click here to find out the adult winnerrs of the creative writing competition.
In Spring 2006 the project will end with the publication of a book showcasing the best work that has been produced. It will include all the commissioned poetry and prose from writers, plus the best work written during the workshops and of course, the competition winners.The region’s three literature festivals each provide a key focal point for developing literature in each city. They are:
- Everybody’s Reading in Leicester, promotes reading amongst the city’s diverse communities
- Poetry in the City in Nottingham, promotes poetry through a wide range of venues and community partners
- Derby’s Festival of Words provides a literature focus across venues, communities and different art forms
