Hi all

I hosted an event on Tuesday, which the lovely Jay Bernard came to, along with other writers, architects and etc. to discuss how writers might work with architects, developers etc. to unpick, explore, communicate about, think about, place.

It was a really interesting discussion and it is being continued online at www.shapingplace.ning.com. I’d encourage anyone who’s interested to visit the site and take a look. You have to register but it takes about 5 seconds to do so : ) There’s a review of the event up there and the chance to take part in discussions about issues raised at the event, and on broader topics.

Look forward to seeing some of you there!

Chris Meade will be presenting his paper A Place That Makes You Go ‘Ahhhhh’ at Shortwave, Bermondsey, London, this evening, and will then be in conversation with myself and Kate Cheyne from Architects in Residence.

We have set up a social networking site so that those at the event, and those who were unable to make it, can continue the conversation about writing and regeneration online. The site is open to anyone who wants to join, at: www.shapingplace.ning.com. It’s easy to get to grips with, but to help you along, we’ve written some notes on getting started below. It would be great to have some of the My Place Or Yours bloggers and readers involved in that conversation….

Hi all

So much to read on here! I haven’t got time to catch up today, but will have more of a look over the weekend. For now though, I wanted to tell you about a new article I’ve commissioned from Chris Meade drawing on his experiences of working with designers and public artists, Snug and Outdoor. It’s an engaging read, which offers concrete examples of how writers can facilitate creative consultation and make a valuable contribution to the design process. The article – “The place that makes you go ahhh..” is free to download from the Articles and Critical Thinking section of the A Place For Words site. There are lots of other bits and bobs written by me there too : )

Chris will be talking about the issues and examples he raises in his article at Writers Shaping Places, on Tuesday 30th June, 6.30-8.00pm at Shortwave, Bermondsey Square, London, and will then be in conversation with Kate Cheyne from Architects in Residence, and myself. There are a handful of (free) tickets left. Please call Spread the Word on 0207 735 3111 to book a place.

I’m setting up an online networking site to enable people to continue the conversation after the event, and to bring in people who cannot make the event, but are interested in the issues raised in Chris’s paper, and in broader ideas about writing and regeneration. The site will be launched on 30th June and I will let you know how to access it once it’s up and running.