Course Content
| Friday 27 March 2026 | |
| 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm | Everyone to arrive at Tŷ Newydd |
| 4.30 – 5.30 pm | Introduction session with Kaite |
| 6.30 pm | Everyone to gather at Dining Room for evening meal, to meet lead writers & welcome speech from Lit Wales staff |
| 8.00 pm – 9.30 pm | Introductory session – Kaite performance and sharing of work |
On the first day we will introduce ourselves and get to know the group of writers.
The introductory session will explore representation of Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent people in literature. Kaite will share video examples of her own work and how it ‘answers back’ to problematic representations of disability in the western theatrical canon and media. We will discuss models of disability and their impact on how ‘difference’ is portrayed.
| Saturday 28 March | |
| 9.30 am – 11.00 am | Workshop #1 – Reinventing protagonists |
| 11.00 am – 11.30 am | Break |
| 11.30 am – 1.00 pm | Workshop #2 – Poetry |
| 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm | Lunch Break |
| 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm | Workshop #3 – Monologues |
| 3.30 pm – 5.00 pm | Time to work on your writing |
| 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm | Everyone to gather at Dining Room for evening meal |
| 8.00 pm – 9.30 pm | All to meet in the library for guest reader xxx |
All workshops will involve reading extracts from accomplished or subversive work created by Disabled and Deaf writers and discuss how we can implement some of the good techniques and ideas we will have read and discussed into our own work.
Workshop 1
In this initial session, we will set out the groundwork for reinventing our protagonists, setting ourselves the challenge to change stereotypes, consider new narratives, and using refreshed language in our work. We will consider ways to subvert or challenge, using a mixture of forms to explore content and perspective.
Workshop 2
This session will focus on poetry. Even if your writing in progress is not poetry, the workshop will be useful for efficient and precise writing. Through the sample poems we will analyse imagery and how poetry can be a powerful tool to make your readers
empathise and understand.
Workshop 3
This session will focus on monologues. Even if your writing in progress is not a monologue or a script, this workshop will help you develop your craft in writing from your own – or from another first person’s – perspective.
Evening session
A guest reader from last year’s cohort will share their reflections, developments and read some of their work developed as a result of the course in 2024/5.
| Sunday 29 March | |
| 9.30 am – 11.00 am | Workshop #4 – Fiction/creative non-fiction |
| 11.00 am – 11.30 am | Break |
| 11.30 am – 1.00 pm | Workshop #5 – Sharing and reflection |
| 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm | Lunch |
| 2.00 pm | Course ends and participants leave |
Workshop 4
This session will focus on fiction or creative non-fiction. We will touch on storylines, characters and dialogue. You will also have time to develop your writing in practical exercises.
Workshop 5
Possible reflection & sharing time
Session 6
During June, following a break for you to develop your work in progress, each writer will receive a one-to-one tutorial with Kaite to discuss your individual projects. You can expect detailed feedback and tailored encouragement during these sessions, as well as specific advice about opportunities which may be of interest to you.
Session 7 (June 2026)
The final session will be a celebration, and an opportunity for each writer to perform a short piece of their own written work to the rest of the group.