WEDNESDAYS, 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th April 2021, 15.00 - 17.00

SUNDAYS, 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, 09.00 - 11.00

If you'd like to join, please read the following and if the idea appeals, you can sign up by completing the details below:

AIMS:

 - Catch up on a poem or two for National/Global Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo / GloPoWriMo);
 - Share and/or lead a prompt or activity you really like, if you have one (that people can easily do at home with no other resources, etc)
 - Meet new poets and/or see poets you already know, but stacked up on a screen like in the Brady Bunch.

SHAPE:
 
- **Quick check-in / warm-up**, as not everyone will know everyone - we can run first week and then see if any other volunteers.
 - **Then go to smaller groups** in which at least one person has a prompt or exercise to lead on - to do some writing. Order that time as you like (say, 30mins?). We've found that it works well to set the task, then go off-screen/mic for the allotted writing time, then reappear once the timer goes off.
 - 15min break for coffee / tea / dance around the kitchen.
 - Second hour to write and share, in same format
 - Quick checkout in big group for fifteen mins or so - perhaps hear from a few pieces written during the breakouts?
   - Round off

Responses to a few queries re Zoom, etc:

ZOOM TOP TIPS:

 - Many of us are now quite Zoom-conversant, but if you're new to Zoom, you are still very welcome! Please just download it at: www.zoom.us
 - There are lots of useful videos to get you started, here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206618765-Zoom-Video-Tutorials. But fear not: I'll talk us all through the mechanisms by way of a warm-up, at the beginning of the session tomorrow.
 - We'll be in the Zoom 'Room' from 14.45 if you'd like to log in early and test out the tech!
 - Top Tips: It might be worth bunging your laptop at face height (bung it on a pile of books, we know you've got loads) so that you're not looming over the camera.
 - And if possible, sitting with a light source to the side, or in front rather than behind you, so that you don't end up a silhouette like you're anonymised in a crime documentary.
 - Both of which makes for a slightly less peculiar experience. We'll talk through other buttons on Zoom tomorrow.
 - NB: There've been some news stories about Zoom's security. While we think their developers are working on this, I think it's always wise to have anti-virus (!) and malware software installed - I use AVG, which is fine as far as I can tell!

PROMPTS and POEMS:

 - If you've got your prompt on a document on screen, or even some photos from a book - we can show you how to share screen so everyone can see them, in our smaller groups (it's quite easy, hopefully)
 - Same with poems, if you're using one as a model - you can share screen and people can comment - we'll figure this out as we go.
 - We'll be able to add all these to a shared G Doc too (if you're new to these, I can show you)

ZOOM INVITATION:

You'll receive this, including password to join, once you've added your details below - we'll set these up at the same time, so we just have the same link and password, or they're all in one email. These will also be sent as Google Calendar appointments (which may or may not work with iProducts, depending on the will of the Apple Corporation - but I leave that up to you).

Drop us a line with any questions. Hope that all makes sense.

See you there!

Caleb & Juliette