Newham Writers Workshop Anthology 1997

		INTRODUCTION By Conal Morgan Before our forebears mastered the art of the written word they used to tell stories, an art which is now much neglected. These served a variety of purposes. They were a means by which the history of a people could be passed from one generation to the next. The oral history was constantly added to or changed, depending on the personality and the memory of the teller. Stories were also used as a teaching aid. The famous Gospel parables are an example of this, a simple story about things which the listener had experienced but which carried a message. Then there were the stories told to entertain the listener. These came in many forms, sometimes involving rhyme, which served the dual purpose of acting as a memory aid and enhancing the enjoyment of the listener. The modern writer is an heir to this tradition. This would perhaps explain the compulsion many writers feel to write. At the Writers Workshop over the years we have had members who have tried a variety of different types of writing. We have had a large number of poets and fiction writers. However there have also been people trying the arts of biography and play writing. We have even had the occasional scholarly dissertation in one of the more academic disciplines. The workshop is different things to different writers. For me, primarily, it is an audience. All audience perform a critical function. Our story telling ancestors would no doubt have gauged the quality of their stories and their telling by the reaction of their audience. If a story went down well it would be retained, if not it would be revised or discarded. The Writers Workshop audience has over the years served as an essential tool in my efforts to improve my writing. It is difficult when writing to judge ones own work. Unless you are extremely talented, or else possessed with an inordinate amount of self belief. feedback is an essential element of the process. The other essential function the workshop fulfils for me is a forum for ideas. We have had in the workshop over the years people of different ages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Also in terms of writing experience we have had (and have) beginners, experienced, the published and unpublished. The cross fertilisation of ideas that emanate from the questioning and discussion of pieces of work has, I feel, acted as an inspiration to us all. This anthology is the result of a year’s work and is a showcase of the best of what our members do. Newham Writers Workshop meets every Thursday during term time at 7pm, Lister Community School, St Mary’s Road, Plaistow E13. New members are always welcome.