Scriptwriting

## [You're welcome to book your space directly via our website, here: https://www.writeandpint.com/events/the-unknown-spirit-chaos-and-creative-writing-food-drink-handouts-a-pub-quiz] ... ## Hello there! So, what do we mean when we say *spirit*? Is there meaning in the universe, or only stories we like to tell ourselves? Does God exist, or not, and what happens when certainty collapses? What do we do with chaos, doubt, nihilism, mystery, and the things we can't know for certain? This Write & Pint workshop invites you into **The Unknown**: the vast, unsettled territory where existential questions, spiritual longing, disbelief, myth, and imagination meet. Not to resolve these questions, but to **live inside them**, to test language against the ineffable, and create. Together, we’ll be touching on themes like: * Meaning, being, and time * God (or not), belief, disbelief, and doubt * Spirit (across traditions: Abrahamic, Buddhist, Taoist, mystical, and esoteric) * Chaos, nihilism, and creative destruction * Mystical atheism and radical unknowing * Conspiracy, esoterica, spaghetti monsters, little green men, and the stories we invent to survive/make sense 👽 This is, of course, a **creative writing day**, designed to help you generate new fiction and/or poetry through guided prompts and shared enquiry. ## What we’ll read Across the day, we’ll draw from a wide range of writers, poets, mystics, philosophers, and mythic traditions. These will be **short excerpts, fragments, and quotations** used as sparks for writing, not as material to analyse in depth. So, there will be **plenty of time to write**. The readings exist only to open doors. Texts may include brief passages or quoted lines from: ### Fiction, Philosophy & Cultural Thought * **Fyodor Dostoevsky** * **Sergey Nechaev** (via *The Master of Petersburg*) * **Albert Camus** * **J. M. Coetzee** * **Jacques Derrida** * **Simone Weil** * **Clarice Lispector** * **Anne Carson** * **Louise Glück** ### Mystical & Non-Western Traditions * **Rabia al-Adawiyya** * **Hafiz** * **Rumi** * **Kabir** * **Mirabai** * **Ryokan** * **Han Shan** * **Chögyam Trungpa** * Selections from the **Tao Te Ching** ### Folklore & Myth * **Amos Tutuola** * **Birago Diop** These voices allow us to move beyond certainty, beyond Western rationalism, beyond fixed belief, and into paradox, absence, longing, humour, terror, devotion, doubt, and not-knowing. ## What we’ll write You’ll be guided through a series of **creative writing exercises and prompts** designed to help you write fiction and/or poetry around *The Unknown*, whatever that means to you. There is **no pressure to share**, though you’ll be warmly invited to if you wish. As always, our intention is to gather **likeminded, creative, enquiring, compassionate people**, writers, readers, thinkers, believers, atheists, doubters, and question-askers alike. ## Schedule **11:00am** Arrive, order your tea or coffee, settle in, meet some friendly faces. **11:00–11:30am** Introductory writing exercises to familiarise ourselves with words, images, feelings, and intuitions around *The Unknown*. **11:30am–1:00pm** Short readings and quotations paired with creative writing prompts. **1:00pm** Lunch break: a Finch’s pub brunch. **2:00–4:00pm** More writing, more prompts, more exploration. You’ll leave with new material to take home, edit, and keep. **4:00–5:00pm** 🎉 **The Write & Pint Pub Quiz** A fun, light-hearted general knowledge quiz covering culture, films, literature, history, and society, a playful way to end the day together. ... If you have any question at all, about this full day workshop or any of our other events, you're very welcome to text or WhatsApp me on +44 (0) 7534 981 636. Cheers! Sean (A Write & a Pint).

**We will be at The Mitre pub in central Greenwich.** This meetup is free and casual. We just sit around for a few hours and write together. Bring a laptop, or use a pen and paper or clay tablet and stylus if that's what works for you. The structure of the session is roughly: 2pm: chat 2:20–3:25: writing time 3:25: chat/coffee break 3:40–4:45 writing time 4:45: chat But our Saturdays are very casual, so feel free to drop in and out. **Our Saturday sessions sometimes rotate location. We're going to stick with the Mitre for now, but do check the location of the specific meetup before signing up. If you arrive later, you may need to ask the bar staff to show you through to the room.**

A chance just to work in company on your writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing or work stuff. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice. WE FILL THE ROOM, so you MUST SIGN UP below AND ARRIVE BY 11.40 at the latest, or we can’t guarantee you a seat. And if you can't make it CHANGE YOUR RSVP to "not going" ASAP to give someone else a chance, thanks. WHERE? FIFTH FLOOR CAFÉ, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE TIMINGS:- 11.00 - Café starts serving 11:30 - Host of the day will be there. Say hello, especially if you’re new. 11.40 - Brief introductions for everybody - your name and what you’re working on 11:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 12:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like 12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 13:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more. Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too. And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here. IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER 11.45 - everyone will be quiet and writing. If there's no spare places ASK THE CAFE STAFF, they may be able to seat you in the adjacent restaurant section (without having to buy food). If not then there's sofas on the sales floors below as well as one cafe at the back of the ground floor and another in the basement. The hosts won't have any other alternatives to offer you. Please feel free to join us for the break and afterwards. We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura and Anna

**Torture is a messy business but we writers must transform our characters by any means necessary.** Join a torturous seminar on how to surface core conflicts into cruel but useful tensions that will transform your main characters as the story unfolds. Character growth, development, transformation - call it what you will - is a fiction fundamental but not every story achieves the promise of the premise when it comes to delivering for readers. First though, you must understanding your story's capacity to 'torture'. This seminar will show how to create character transformations with practical writing techniques and you'll engineer more compelling stories for your readers, as a result. If a character doesn't grow, they die. How will your story inflict the appropriate level of emotional and psychological pain to produce change in your core characters? Sounds tough but it is not. I believe this is the stuff that keeps readers guessing, hypothesising, riven mad, turning pages frantically until 3am to find out what happens and every writer must aspire to be read with greed, no? In three hours (with a short break) we'll go through how to expand and apply internal and external conflicts for your protagonist, recognise which conflicts will drive your character forward, and pull that tension so tight it threatens to snap on any page. Brilliant. 'The only thing worth writing about is the human heart in conflict with itself ' - William Faulkner LEVEL: This session is designed for writers with a basic understanding of plotting, story structure and character development. If you're unsure if that's you, please message me and I'll be happy to advise. TIMING: Saturday, February 28th from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. LOCATION: The Artillery Arms, 102 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8ND. Nearest stations are Old Street, Barbican and Moorgate. We have hired the room but please don't bring your own food and drinks. The pub landlord will have my head! TICKETS: £20.00 to pay for content, preparation, venue hire and event organising. Please follow the steps to pay via PayPal when you RSVP. Refunds or credits will only be offered if the meetup is cancelled by admin. Please change your RSVP to 'Not Going' if you can no longer attend as we often have people waiting and we'd hate for them to miss out. Download the Meetup app to manage your RSVPs quickly. Please post below if you have questions above the above. Hope to see you there!

This event will be for people to meet, go off and film, come back and enjoy the results. Whatever you want to do, be it film, act, direct or even just sort of hang around at the back then this is the event for you! MEET AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE NATIONAL THEATRE. If you are wondering what this group can provide for you, it’s above all else friendship with other like minded people, whether you are a screenwriter, director, cameraperson, actor etc etc. With that in mind, on Saturday we will do the following: 1. We’ll meet at the National Theatre on Southbank. 2. We’ll split into two groups (or more if needed) 3. Each team will try and beat the other teams to a pub in EC1 in London and edit (maybe) the film. BUT 4. Each team must make a 2 minute 30 seconds film on the way with a beginning middle and end, a solid story arc for the main character, etc. Remember to bring: 1. You and your enthusiasm 2. A camera (iPhones dslrs whatever) 3. Someone willing to do an edit after we arrive back at the on their computers All teams will then meet-up at a pub in EC1 and watch what we have filmed, happy with what they have learnt! The first team that finishes gets a Small Prize! Hopefully then, you will stick around to have a great time chatting about film, meeting new people, and forgetting about work until the late hours. Look forward to seeing you there! If there are no more places available on meetup then MORE tickets available on eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/ben-52750032443 Please Check Dates as this isnt a weekly meetup

**RSVP TO ATTEND THIS EVENT. ALL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE TO ATTEND THIS EVENT..** **Fast Friending: Where Strangers Become Friends!** Are you tired of swiping through dating apps or feeling like you're stuck in a social rut? Do you yearn for meaningful connections and a crew of like-minded friends to share laughs and adventures with? You must book a ticket via the link: https://fatso.ma/23nY Book here via: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fast-friending-make-new-friends-in-london-all-ages-welcome-tickets-1979848341686?aff=oddtdtcreator **We start the event at 4.00pm with a warm welcome.** Attend our unique event to meet like-minded people and discover new friendships and make new connections. (We will be in the private room) **The Happenstance -** Nestled in the shadow of St Paul’s Cathedral sits our stunning bar & restaurant. Central location, stylish interiors & seasonal food & drink menus – you’ll happen upon us & never want to leave. **Event Schedule** **16\.00 – 18\.30 \| Welcome to the event** where your name will be checked off the guest list, you will be given a name badge and you will be introduced to each other. (**Fast Friending starts at 17.00pm**) **17\.00 – 18\.00 \| Fast Friending** **Starts.** This event is designed to help you break the ice and form connections quickly. You'll engage in a series of five minutes timed conversations with other attendees, ensuring you meet a variety of new people in a relaxed environment. **18\.00 – 18\.30 \| Fast Friending Ends**: Social event starts. **Why Attend?** We've got just the thing for you! Socialite Connections is introducing a new way to make new friends, and it's called fast friending, the ultimate social way designed to help you meet new people and make genuine friends in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. **Who Should Attend** Our events are carefully designed to ensure you meet a diverse and dynamic group of people, all united by a desire to expand their social circle and have a great time. Anyone looking to expand their social circle and meet new people. Individuals seeking a low-pressure, enjoyable way to make friends and new connections. Those interested in trying something new and stepping out of their comfort zone (you never know who you might meet!). **Tickets are limited to just 40 attendees.** We like to make sure everyone gets the opportunity to talk to each other. You must book a ticket via the link: https://fatso.ma/23nY Book here via: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fast-friending-make-new-friends-in-london-all-ages-welcome-tickets-1979848341686?aff=oddtdtcreator Secure your spot now and elevate your socialite network! **Tickets need to be bought online in advance to attend this event. Tickets are not available at the door.** **Refund policy: There is no refund at this event. Your ticket can be** **reassigned to another person of your choice..**

Hi everyone, I’ve scheduled an informal meetup at the **The Guiness Brewery in Covent Garden**. The idea is to create a space where people can share personal projects, or for those interested, to find out what others are working on and what’s happening in the filmmaking scene. If this is something you’d like to see going forward, please let me know in the comments, and we could make it a regular event.

Join us at the top of the biggest bookshop in Europe to work in company on your own writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing or work stuff. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice. Now that our Saturday events are filling the room we're testing out a Sunday, same format but an hour later. In case it's as popular as our Saturdays we're saying that you MUST SIGN UP below AND ARRIVE BY 12.40 at the latest, or we can’t guarantee you a seat. And if you can't make it CHANGE YOUR RSVP to "not going" ASAP to give someone else a chance, thanks. WHERE? FIFTH FLOOR CAFÉ, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE TIMINGS:- 12.00 - Shop and café open 12:30 - Host will be there. Say hello, especially if you’re new. 12.40 - Brief introductions from everybody - your name and what you’re working on 12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 13:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like 13:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 14:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more. Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too. And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here. IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER 12.45 - everyone will be quiet and writing. If there's no spare places ASK THE CAFE STAFF, they may be able to seat you in the adjacent restaurant section (without having to buy food). If not then there's sofas on the sales floors below as well as one cafe at the back of the ground floor and another in the basement. The hosts won't have any other alternatives to offer you. Please feel free to join us for the break and afterwards. We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura and Anna

**FREE FOR MEMBERS OR SIGN UP WHEN YOU ARRIVE** Hello music enthusiast, We're excited to invite you to our Songwriting Class held right here in the heart of musical Camden every Saturday at 2 p.m! Whether you're a budding songwriter or just looking to explore your creative side, this class is designed **for people under 30s and all skill levels.** Come be a part of our community!!! No matter your background or experience, all are welcome. Let's turn your musical ideas into real songs! If you want to know more information, text or call Thomas: 07310801741

Currently on the app ' Arte' is this fabulous crime thriller from esteemed director Chabrol. Charles has an affair with Laura, his best friend's wife and they indulge in S & M games. He accidentally strangles her in one of their escapades and noone has witnessed this untimely demise..... Made in 1971 and lasts 100 mins. In French with English subtitles.

**Muse x Club Room: The Chronology of Water** **DATE:** Sunday 1st March - Doors open at 4.45pm for nibbles and sips * **Join us for pre-drinks at 4.45pmThe screening will start at 5.30pm** **TICKETS:** £8.85/ £5+ members [TICKETS HERE](https://www.picturehouses.com/movie-details/000/HO00017593/club-room-x-muse-the-chronology-of-water/0000000171?filter=) “Your life doesn’t happen in any kind of order. Events don’t have cause and effect relationships the way you wish they did. It’s all a series of fragments and repetitions and pattern formations. Language and water have this in common.” \~ Lidia Yuknavitch Directed by Kristen Stewart and based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s acclaimed memoir, this film is where cinema and memoir collide, and where water isn’t just the element, but a metaphor: for pain, for pleasure and for the lasting echo of a queer life lived fully. *The Chronology of Water* traces the fragmented life of writer Lidia Yuknavitch, moving fluidly through childhood trauma, competitive swimming, sex, addiction, and artistic awakening. Told in impressionistic bursts rather than a linear narrative, the film treats memory like water—unstable, embodied, and impossible to contain. It’s less about redemption than survival: how a queer, unruly self is shaped through pain, desire, and the radical act of telling one’s own story. **About Muse: The Cinephiles** This is a cinephiles group for lesbians, queer and trans women predominantly, but is also open to the wider LGBTQIA+ community and their guests. We are committed to celebrating our queer community within a co-created ethos of mutual respect and kindness. We affirm and celebrate trans and non-binary people as member of our community. We stand against transphobia in all its forms. Our aim is to provide a queer cinephiles group that stimulates a mix of thoughtful discussion, playfulness, and curiosity. Our screenings will focus predominantly on celebrating lesbian, queer and trans women – showcasing both celebrated and hidden queer cinema gems, we aim to foster a playful curiosity and build a vibrant, supportive community. **Please note:** PHOTOS & VIDEOS will be taken at our events. Some of these will be posted on our social media. Please come and chat to a host if you would prefer not to appear online.

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Sunday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at noon on Sundays. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 12:00 - quick intros. 12:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 1:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 1-1:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Sunday!

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

Join us as we get together to see SIRAT, an Oscar-nominated Best International Film from Spain that follows a father, accompanied by his son, goes looking for his missing daughter in North Africa. Here’s a description, trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: A father, accompanied by his son arrive at a rave deep in the mountains of southern Morocco while searching for his daughter who vanished months ago at one of these endless, sleepless parties. As their search continues, the journey forces them to confront their own limits. The film is directed by Oliver Laxe and stars Sergi Lopez, Bruno Nunez Arjona and Richard Bellamy. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww-IXHXvS70 BUZZ & ACCLAIM: SIRAT has already won numerous awards, including 4 at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, along with the Chicago, Montclair and Toronto International Film Festivals! It also earned a whopping 11 nominations at the 40th Goya Awards, including Best Film and Director, and was nominated for Best International Feature Film and Best Sound at this year’s Academy Awards. The film is earning a stellar 92% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes which calls it “an unforgettable exercise in tension” and “a brutal reminder that the journey can be more important than the destination.” PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will confirm/announce details as the date gets closer. Once showtime is confirmed, advance purchase (via GFC website preferred) is advised! Once you have your ticket, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. PARKING: Close, convenient parking is available in the nearby garage (located between 9th and 11th, just off High St). Bring your ticket with you and have it validated at the theater and for $2, you’re covered for the night! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

A classic Italian road comedy that was so good the film ministry recognized it as "culturally significant." Starring Vittorio Gassman and Jean-Louis Trintignant, the film shows that for young men in love the rules of the road are only suggestions. And the rules for love? Hey, this is an Italian picture! Oh to be young and filled with joie de vivre or la dolce vita. A french/italian fun filled movie with a surprising twist at the end. Do you have a fun memory from your youth?

Join us as we get together to see the period drama / classic monster movie, THE BRIDE! The film is written/directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and stars Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale in a new take on the classic tale, The Bride of Frankenstein. We'll be seeing this one on Thurs, 3/5 one day ahead of the film's opening on Friday. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: In 1930s Chicago, Frankenstein's creature asks Dr. Euphronius to create a companion for him. They give life to a murdered woman as "the Bride," sparking romance, police interest and radical social change. It is written, directed and co-produced by Maggie Gyllenhaal and stars Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, Jake Gyllenhaal and Penélope Cruz. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-qJkAXLfYM PARKING: Close, convenient parking is available in the nearby garage (located between 9th and 11th, just off High St). Bring your ticket with you and have it validated at the theater and for $2, you’re covered for the night! PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 7:00pm showing and we’ll meet inside the upstairs lobby between 6:40 and 6:50pm. Advance ticket purchase is advised (via Gateway website preferred). Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments below! Pre-show bite at Cazuela’s next door at 5:30pm. Please arrive by 5:30pm and ask for the Movie Group! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan