What a start to Ayr Writers’ Club 2025/26! Lots of new potential members and familiar faces made for an exciting start to the year as we learned about each others’ interests and motivations to be part of the club.
There’s a superb speaker line-up ahead of us which promises something for everyone as we dive into topics including poetry in Doric, the environment, history, and drama. Up first though, on Wednesday 10th September, is author Allan Gaw who will reveal crucial insights and top tips about writing mystery novels!
Fantastic speakers are not all that is in store this year. Pens will be at the ready for the club’s new Skill Builder sessions. Come along and hone your skills at flash fiction, learn how to intensify fear and suspense in horror writing, and how to structure that novel you’ve been meaning to begin.
Before we had even realised what was happening we’d created writing goals and committed to achieving our top goal by January 2026! There’s no getting out of it! Our goals were swiftly sealed in envelopes, now guarded by President Fiona Johnson. Time will tell who has achieved their goals!
Next we were invited to dig deep for the first writing exercises of the year, to really think about ‘My Greatest Achievement’ (What are you really proud of, and why?) and ‘The Road not Taken’ (What would have happened if you’d got on that plane, answered that call?). Several members, including our new faces, courageously read out their pieces revealing stories of personal discovery and progress, challenge and some reflections and contentment with ‘The Road that was Taken.’
Maggie Morton, long standing member, concluded the evening with a new feature of the club, ‘The Last Word’. ‘The Last Word’ is an opportunity for club members to share a short piece of writing at the end of the club night. Maggie read out her beautiful poem ‘Recipe for You’, which inspired us to appreciate and embrace the different characteristics we all have. If you would like to have ‘The Last Word’ at a club night please contact President Fiona Johnson.
Finally, and I dare say this won’t be the last time you hear this, please remember to sign up for Easy Fundraising. Any extra funds for the club go towards our guest speakers and room hire.
Thank you to everyone for coming along and making the first night of AWC 2025/26 so enjoyable and fun!
We look forward to seeing you next time!
Jennifer Lerpiniere