​What happens to words when they travel — and come back slightly changed?

​Vladimir Nabokov described his shift from writing in Russian to English as his “Conradical switch,” after Joseph Conrad, whom he called “the translingual creator of wanderers.” Both Nabokov and Conrad are examples of exophonic writers – authors who wrote in a language other than their first, often with remarkable results. More recent exophonic writers include: Elif Shafak, Jhumpa Lahiri and Eva Hoffman.

​Working from the idea that multilingual authors possess a unique creative reach, we’ll bend language in imaginative ways to explore unexpected methods for shaping both language and form!

​This workshop is for anyone who:

​✔️Is struggling to make time to write.

​✔️Wants to experiment and add a new dimension to their writing.

​✔️Wants to write and learn about language in a supportive, creative and fun atmosphere.

​✔️Wants to kick start a new idea or project.

​Schedule:

​We'll explore language via these exercises:

• ​Ginsberg’s “eyeball kick”: surprising word combinations that disrupt reader expectations

• ​Fake translations: intuiting or creating meaning

• ​Intratextual versioning: transforming everyday texts into literature

• ​Translating from English into… English: seeing how far language can bend while staying “the same”

• ​Plus the opportunity to share work (but only if you want to!)

​Who's leading it? Me! Hi! My name's Jayne Marshall. I'm a writer and an editor, and Associate Editor at The Madrid Review. I've designed and led creative writing workshops in Madrid (Spain) as well as online, and as a mentor with Fusion Arts in Oxford (UK). I'm also a host at the London Writers' Salon. You can find out all about me and my writing, editing and teaching on my website.