FORGING connections across a landscape of reduced physical proximity, creative writing incubator, Paper Nations, has launched an innovative online platform for writers from marginalised communities. The project is called The Great Margin, and it will have an integral role in amplifying the creative work of isolated writing groups, while providing resources to assist their practice. The Great Margin calls into existence the question that is presumed to be on the minds of many: “How do we thrive in a world where the most basic instincts that make us human are taken away?” Their answer? “We do what we’ve always done. We share our stories.”
The Great Margin has evolved with the intention of championing writers that exist at the margins of society, which makes it a welcome intervention for those of us who wish to see change within often exclusive industries. For example, the project seeks to undo the stifling effects of isolation by reaching out to writing groups.
Professor Bambo Soyinka founder of Paper Nations
In the words of Professor Bambo Soyinka, founder of Paper Nations, “The UK has a strong culture of book clubs and a vibrant but less visible tradition of writing groups. The Great Margin aims to unite writing groups across the country and to draw attention to the importance of writing for creativity, well-being and for dialogue in times of crisis. It is hoped that, by working together, we can help more people to write and share their story.”
Writing groups include, but are not limited to, groups in hospitals, groups for black writers, groups that are experimental, or those that write about nature, community writing groups and groups for elderly writers. An exciting detail of this project is that Paper Nations is collaborating with BBC Upload in order to give writers the opportunity to record their creative work. Their work will be aired on BBC Upload and archived by the British Library for future generations to access.
Professor Soyinka’s strong vision for the future of collective storytelling has already been established through her experience with leading innovative projects. She is the current Director of TRACE, the Research Centre for Transcultural Creativity and Education at Bath Spa University, as well as having a significant role shaping The Great Margin’s trajectory.
She says, “we are reaching out to writing groups and projects that approach the theme of ‘diversity’ from a different angle. For example, members from your group might have a longer-term, deeper understanding of what it means to write from a position of marginalisation or isolation. They may want to share their stories about life under lockdown, about their experiences of disability, about what it’s like to be black and British or about returning to work after lockdown.”
The Great Margin champions writers that exist at the margins of society
Specifying the forms and genres that The Great Margin is on the lookout for, Professor Soyinka says: “We especially welcome writing that is purely creative, perhaps providing solace, satire or a sideways look at our current shared experiences of marginalisation. We also want to champion different types of writing, such as Spoken Word, sign language poetry, podcasts or writing for games.”
The wide spectrum of writing goes hand-in-hand with the diverse communities that will be supported by The Great Margin’s platform. It showcases storytelling’s drive to go beyond expected parameters and make people feel heard, wherever they are.
The Paper Nations team will provide invaluable expertise and encouragement via editing services, opportunities to network and writing prompts. Recently, Paper Nations set up five online writing support groups for fifty writers who are facing social deprivation, economic hardship or cultural barriers arising from disability, race, gender and/or caring responsibilities. These impressive initiatives form part of Paper Nations’ commitment to promoting Writing for All.
Writing for all and writing through crises are fundamental to cultivating a compassionate society in conversation. Nathan Filer, prize-winning author of The Shock of the Fall and with a background in mental health nursing, says: “We write to reach through time and space, to have our thoughts exist in the minds of others, to be misunderstood in ever more interesting ways.”
Paper Nations has a commitment to Writing for All
Anyone can get involved with the project by following The Great Margin on Twitter (@TheGreatMargin) and submitting pieces to their blog. The project aims to publish the best writing they receive from the public, but – unlike most journals and magazines – their support doesn’t end there. For those creative writing pieces that don’t quite make the cut, The Great Margin will point writers in the right direction to gain further guidance. In addition, they encourage the leaders of writing groups to share their initiatives, projects, workshops and useful resources, the details of which will be published online.
It seems close to paradoxical that the most turbulent and constrictive months urge forth projects brim-full of optimism and clarity. As writers, we look at the remarkable ingenuity and resilience of those that seem to push on regardless of the circumstances, and feel energised to follow suit.
by Alice Hill-Woods
Submissions to The Great Margin are open until midday on August 3, 2020