All Hallows' Eve: Uneasy Writing with Madeleine Thompson

Before we dive into the Q&A, take a moment to grab your favourite brew and immerse yourself in Madeleine's captivating short story, "All Hallows' Eve."  All Hallows' Eve. By Madeleine Thompson (PDF, 57 KB)

This piece has garnered rave reviews and promises to transport you to another world in just five minutes.

"All Hallows' Eve" was crafted for the 'Uneasy Lit' writing evening, an event hosted by our Creative Writing Lead, Kevin Dyer. Held in the eerie, candle-lit basement of the haunted Newton Library, this event provided a truly atmospheric setting for the writers group to share their work.

We had the pleasure of catching up with Madeleine to learn more about her experience, her reasons for joining the writers' group, the impact it has had on her, and her aspirations for the future.

What inspired you to join the writers' group?

I'd been a member of St Helens Writers Club for a few years and I began to hear little bits about some of our members being part of another group run by the library service at Thatto Heath library.  When a new group was to be opened at Newton Library, my Chair at St Helens Writers' told me about it and encouraged me to join. 
 

How has being part of the group helped you in your writing journey?

Many moons ago I played the flute and was part of a wind orchestra.  I used to marvel at how, even when we thought we sounded great, our conductor could help develop us so we could play so much better.  I feel like this with Newton Writers (or the Pink Fir Apples as we have called ourselves on occasion).  Being part of the group has helped me to begin to explore new writing styles that I hadn't considered before and given me time to write 'on the spot' with different exercises Kevin sets for us.   I've also been able to have a go at reading in public, something which I had very little experience of this time last year.  With the group, I've read at our Uneasy Night at Newton Library, which was a spooky event where we got to read our stories in creepy basement rooms.  And I read a story that I wrote in collaboration with another member, at the St Helens Great Potato Festival, to an audience of potato-lovers in the World of Glass library.  Before this, Kevin arranged for us to have some time with a wonderful writer who is a performance poet and she taught us techniques for reading and writing for the stage.  Together with exploring different writing genres, the whole experience so far has been amazing in helping me.   And it's helped me to confidently say I'm a writer, when before I felt I couldn't say that.  

What do you enjoy most about the writers' group?

It's hard to say just one thing, because I love everything about the group.  I love how we are a diverse group of writers with different backgrounds, skills, and voices.  I love that Kevin has a fluid and open approach to facilitating our meetings, bringing ideas and exercises with him, but also being happy to see where things end up too.  And that has led to some amazing writing being produced and some wonderfully creative evenings.  And I love being able to listen to my fellow writers and their wonderful words.  As adults, we often feel that reading aloud is for children only but it is really for everyone, and there's something very special about being read to, especially by the author of the words.

What do you hope to achieve through your participation in the group?

I hope to continue to write and continue to support my fellow writers in their work and to be able to take part in more events in the St Helens creative universe. 

Can you share a memorable experience or moment from the group meetings?

If you told me at the start of 2024 that I would read a story at a festival for potatoes and then read a spooky story in the library basement for Halloween, I wouldn't have believed you.  Those are two stand-out moments in the group.  But also from our meetings there have been many memorable experiences.  One recent one that comes to mind involved Kevin silently making an avocado dip in front of us, which we then ate (and wrote about), and which became the inspiration for a miniature murder tale involving a TV chef being murdered whilst making dinner.

How has the group influenced your writing style or approach?

Being in the group has helped me try new ways of writing and it's helped me to pause when I'm writing and try and work out what my style is.  Listening to the group is amazing because I can hear everyone's style in their writing and learn from them.

What types of writing projects are you currently working on?

I'm currently writing short stories and trying a bit of flash fiction, but in the background I have an eye on a novel idea that's been lurking in my head for a while.

How do you find the feedback and support from other group members?

The group are incredibly supportive.  Feedback is always constructive, relevant and encouraging, and the group is a safe space, where members have come having never read to anyone before and have gained the confidence to read aloud.  That's really special.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining a writers' group?

Writing can be a solitary experience, which is necessary when you need quiet time to focus on what you want to say, but being part of a writing group is incredibly valuable.  Not just for being able to connect with other writers and develop your writing, but also because of the sense of community you get meeting with people who are creative just like you.  Like many, my life is often busy and can feel like a rollercoaster that has stopped stopping (although I've never actually been on one so I perhaps need to work on a new analogy).  Being able to step out of 'normal' and enter the writing world for a few hours every month is really precious.  I would recommend to anyone, even if you have never written before, to give it a go.

What are your future writing goals and how do you see the group helping you achieve them?

To keep developing my writing and to keep learning new techniques.  And just to keep being a writer and playing a full part in the group, which I hope continues for a long time.

Are you interested in joining one of our writing groups? Kevin, our creative writing lead, is internationally renowned for his playwriting, he has a special skill in helping you explore your creative side.

Find out more and how to join Creative Writing