Meet our writer in residence: Jackie Taylor!
It’s a new year, is it time for a new you? Perhaps time for a new skill? The team at Looe library and Community Hub have you covered.
We have recruited the super talented Jackie Taylor to fulfil the role of our writer in residence! Jackie will be running a selection of FREE sessions starting 25th February – perfect for anyone looking to spark their creativity, learn new skills, or just have fun!
Upcoming Sessions with Jackie include:
Meet the Writer 14th Jan 11.45 – 2pm (drop-in)
Meet the Writer 4th Feb 11.45 – 2pm (drop-in)
Tuesday 25th February 2025, 10.30am – noon
Workshop 1: Sparks! Getting Started: building blocks and where to find ideas
Tuesday 4th March 2025, 10.30am – noon
Workshop 2: It’s All in the Detail: how to create convincing characters and settings
Tuesday 11th March 2025, 10.30am – noon
Workshop 3: Next Steps: pulling it all together and developing your work
Eager for more? We had a chat with Jackie highlighting her background & plans for the new year.
Q1: Tell us about yourself!
I’m originally from London, but I’ve lived in the Looe Valley since 1997. Just over a year ago, we moved into Looe itself, and I have to say how much I love being so close to the sea. I’ve been writing forever; it’s how I make sense of the world (or try to!). My short fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction has appeared in many online and print literary journals, and my collection of interlinked short stories, Strange Waters, was published by Arachne Press in 2021. I was a member of the steering group who organised Looe Festival of Words in 2024.
I graduated from the University of Glasgow with a Master of Letters in Creative Writing (with Distinction) in 2023 as a very mature student, thus proving that you’re never too old to learn!
Q2: Can you discuss a personal career highlight/ achievement for you as a writer?
Receiving my first ever acceptance of an article for publication back in 1997 – that will always be very special. My husband took me out for a celebration meal, which cost far, far more than the fee I received for the piece!
Q3: Do you have any goals/resolutions for 2025 (in your writing or otherwise)?
My main resolution for 2025 is to enjoy the process of writing. It’s easy to get tied up in the business of getting your work published, to the extent that you lose sight of what matters – which is the pleasure that comes from engaging in a creative activity that you love. That doesn’t mean that I don’t have some more pragmatic goals too. I have two works in progress that I’m determined to finish in the first half of 2025: botánica, a long form eco-poem, and Pimp My Viz, a hybrid work on the theme of seeing and being seen. There: I’ve committed, so I’ll have to get on with them now!
Q4: What inspired you to become our writer in residence?
I’m a firm believer in lifelong learning, and in the benefits we can all gain by engaging in creative activities. As part of this residency, I’ll be facilitating sessions that will help people – I hope – to think about how to approach writing and perhaps even discover talents they didn’t know they had! Writing can be a very personal experience, but it’s also something that can bring people together, and where better than a Library for that to happen?
Q4: Who would you encourage to visit your upcoming workshop sessions?
I’d encourage anyone who is interested in doing some creative writing to book into the workshops and give it a go – just bring a notebook, a pen, and an open mind. I’m very excited to see what magic we can create together! The workshops start on February 25th, but I’ll be available in the Library on Tuesday 14th January and Tuesday 4th February from 11.45am to 2pm to chat to anyone who wants to meet me or find out a bit more about the workshops before they make up their minds.
To book a workshop with Jackie contact Looe Library & Community Hub on: 01503 262390