I love to learn new skills and used to try and learn something new every year.

In 2006 it was a photography summer class, then a night-class (that worked out well I think!), a year later it was the guitar (still a lot to learn – I can do one strum), then a couple of years ago I learnt how to ride a motorbike (as of yet I don’t have a bike but have passed my test).

I recently signed up for a creative writing course at North West Regional College (NWRC) taken by Liam Campbell.

It’s an hour on a Monday night dedicated to celebrating great writing and to developing skills as a writer. I have found it fascinating and some of the short and long stories we’ve discussed so far are really great. ‘Bullet in the Brain’ and ‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge’ being two of my favourite’s we’ve discussed.

Next week we’re onto poetry and while I’ve read a bit of Seamus Heaney at school, I don’t have much experience with the medium, but am looking forward to being introduced to more great work next week.

I would love to write a book someday and perhaps this course could be the inspiration I need…watch this space!