Tell Me A Story - Morecambe

Allan, who was a member of the group who participated in the Tell Me A Story workshop held in Morecambe library during the Learning Revolution was particularly inspired by the 'first lines' writing game.

When I asked Allan to tell me a bit more about himself, here's what he said:

I'm Allan Finney, age 66, spent just under 42 years a solider now living in Morecambe. I attend a local study group, no real experience, however over the last month the group has been involved in a writing workshop. I have a degree (Hons) from the OU in English language.

The 'Tell Me a Story' Workshop involved a variety of tasks and prompts - some of which will be going on this blog soon so you can try them yourself, at home.

The 'first lines' task is all about writing quickly, ignoring your inner critic and carrying on a story from a first line assigned my the tutor - me. In this case, I was kind, and let every participant choose two lines out of the hat...

Allan chose 'Idle Talk Costs Lives' as his inspiration, and in just 15 minutes, plus a little more time at home for editing and polishing, here's what he came up with...

Idle Talk. Gossip kills and destroys lives. Idle Talk will often equal Idle Lies. So 'Grim' old ladies living alone are burnt for witches. So ships are sunk by Idle lips - lives gone; lives wasted; all by the Jaw Bones of unbiblical asses.

Idle Talk? Idle Lies turn cultured peoples into beasts. Idle Talk? Idle Lies killing million; wasting treasure; wasting ideas.

Idle Talk? The Devil makes work for Idle Hands when closing gas chamber doors, or holding hatches when hunting your neighbours in the forests of Rwanda.

Devils like me, devils like you, devils like us, devils like 'im an 'er next door. Idle Talk becomes Idle Hate. Their faith is different. Their skin is different. Their way of loving is different. Oh what ripe fields for Idle Talk; for Idle Gossip; for Idle Lies, for Idle Hate.

In the past lies Idle Talk and Idle lies all awaiting for an unknown future - awaiting me, awaiting you, awaiting us, awaiting 'im an 'er next door awaiting THEM, the innocent, the unwary, in an unworthy world.

Alan's piece, as well as collected others from the creative writing workshops that took place across the county as part of the Learning Revolution, will be appearing in a publication available at libraries across the county very soon. Subscribe to this blog or follow us on twitter for up to date news and events and information about the culmination of all the projects developed by Lancashire Library Service as part of the Adult Learning Festival.