The Poetic Spectrum with Jen Hadfield

As a poet and a woman with Asperger’s traits, I process experiences slowly but intensely, focus ardently on sometimes unexpected subjects, and express my feelings with unfashionable sincerity. My poetry grows directly from neurodiverse experience, allowing me to process, connect and share my perception of the world. Jen Hadfield hosts this creative writing workshop, to explore how these traits are not only valuable in poetry but vital to our culture.

The Poetic Spectrum with Jen Hadfield, Saturday 23rd March, 1pm to 3pm, 16+, Women only*

This workshop is open to women interested in and sensitive to neurodiversity, we’ll explore how these traits are not only valuable in poetry but vital to our culture. This workshop recognises how many women without a diagnosis identify ASD traits in their personality, and that ASD presents differently in women than in men. Meanwhile, poetry’s heightened senses and love of experiment may just be the perfect medium to help us process experience and find our voice. In this workshop, we’ll explore how ASD traits may not only be valuable in poetry but vital to our creative culture.

Session outline (with estimate timings)

• 1pm Welcome and introductions
• 1.15pm Reading and writing session
• 1.45pm Tea-break
• 2pm Reading and writing session
• 2.40pm Opportunity to read out what you’ve been writing to the group, if you would like to.
• 3pm End of session (Jen will stay for a little while afterwards in case you would like to chat or share your work one-to-one).

More details about the workshop

• Jen will read some of her own poetry during the session. Jen will encourage participants to share their work in the session but there will be no pressure if you don’t want to.
• Feedback should be constructive and focused on what the writer is trying to do, there will be a run through on how that works in the session.
• Participants are free to come and go as you wish, however please do your best to arrive on time.
• All work is confidential, unless the writer agrees to share it, and remains the property of the writer.
• This is a creative, not personal, workshop.
• GWL team, Jen, and participants will collaborate to create a calm, supportive and open-minded environment where everyone has a chance to be heard.

Booking

This workshop is for women only* and is free to attend. Please book below (you will be taken through the shopping cart but no charge will be made) or you can call us on 0141 550 2267. If you have booked a place and are no longer able to attend please let us know so that we can make your place available to someone else.

*All women-only events are inclusive of Trans and Intersex women, as well as non-binary and gender fluid people.

Accessibility

Glasgow Women’s Library is wheelchair accessible, with lifts to the first floor and the Mezzanine Floor. We have accessible toilets and all the bathrooms are individual closed stalls and are gender neutral. Our larger Events Space is fitted with an induction loop. A portable induction loop is also available. For paid events free companion tickets are available.

Find more information on Accessibility at GWL or contact us and we will be very happy to offer assistance.