Transfixions Workshop Series

Are words keeping you up at night? Do you take photos of the same things over and over again? These could be the beginning of writings, poems, somethings… 

Transfixions is a brand new 4-part workshop series, for the things you can’t get out of your head. Throughout the series, we’ll explore obsession as a guide and catalyst for new work. We’ll delve deeper into the images, words and ideas that you can’t escape from. Looking at writing from Taylor Johnson, Lydia Davis, Gboyega Odubanjo and more will help us generate new work. Each workshop will focus on a different theme and ask you to consider your own preoccupations in relation to the theme. Through readings, analysis and play we’ll find new ways to dive into our own ruminations, using them as lenses and fuel for new work.

By the end of the series, you’ll have early drafts of new poems, a healthy reading list and tools to spark your own writing further down the line. 

Whether you’re new to poetry or write often, if you’ve ever had a creative fixation this is for you! Just bring a pencil, paper and a lil herbal tea (tea optional).

Sign up for one workshop £28, or the whole series (discounted price) £100

Spaces limited. Email me (remigraves@gmail.com) for questions or access requirements.
Recordings of the sessions will be made available for those unable to attend, bookings still required,
See you there! xx 

* The title for this workshop refers to Shola Von Reinhold’s protagonist Mathilda, in LOTE who experiences deeply felt transfixions throughout the novel. One of my fave ever books, pick up a copy if you haven’t read it already! Xx

Workshop 1

March 12th 7.00pm - 9.00pm  Obsession as guide:

Who says you can’t write about the same thing over and over again? Nathaniel Mackey’s Song of the Andombolou, is a long poem he’s been writing over two decades and several books! In this session, we'll identify our obsessions and use writing exercises to draw out their creative potential. Can you ruminate on something long enough for it to sound and feel new? We'll look at poems by Marie Howe, Shane McCrae and explore the texture and tone of our own obsessions, writing them anew. 

Workshop 2

March 19th 7.00 pm- 9.00pm  (Dis)embodiment:

I’ve been seeing headless toys, distorted teddies and objects all around. Can’t get (dis)embodiment out of my head. How to write the body when also wanting to divest from the body? How to handle violence and the challenges of embodiment in ways that move and engage? We’ll look at poems by Ari Banias, Tim Seibles, Taylor Johnson and more to think about in and out of body experiences, and how to bring them to life (or death) on the page.

Workshop 3 

March 26th 7.00pm - 9.00pm  Tone/Note:

What earwig has been bugging you recently? Is there a word you’ve been repeating to yourself over and over? In this session we’ll explore how to use sound as guiding principle for your writing. Find out what happens when you let the words rule the roost. Expect word play, writing exercises and the work of writers like Gboyega Odubanjo, Lydia Davis, and Judy Grahn.

Workshop 4 

April 2nd  7.00pm-9.00pm  Poem as translation of an image:

Do you have a favourite painting or scene from a film? Maybe it's a something you see everyday, or a memory vivid as ever. In this session we’ll explore ways of translating images into text, conjuring the tone, texture and vibe of the image, and using that as a field of creation for our own work. I’ll bring artworks as inspiration, or you can bring your own. We’ll also look at poems by Victoria Chang and others in this session.