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| Photo by Robert Golden |
This week we welcome Louisa Adjoa
Parker to the blog. Louisa is the first QuayWords writer-in-residence
based at the Customs House on the Quay this summer, and we've asked
her to tell us a bit about herself and what she has planned for her
residency.
Have you been a writer-in-residence
before?
I've been a writer-in-residence a few
other times. There were a couple of week long residencies at primary
schools, and a residency at HMP YOI Portland, where I worked with
black and minority ethnic prisoners and produced an anthology of
their work. More recently I was the Lit Up! and Poole Libraries
writer-in-residence. This is the first residency I've had in Exeter
which is fantastic for me as I love the city, and county of
Devon.
What made you apply for the residency here?
What made you apply for the residency here?
I applied for the position because it
looked like an exciting opportunity to deliver some place based
writing, drawing on two things I'm passionate about - literature and
history (especially the untold stories). The Quay Words themes, which
include nature, history, accessibility and well being, are important
to me and I often draw on them in my own writing and writing
workshops.
Although I've been coming to Exeter for years - I've lived in different parts of the south west and it's often been my nearest city; I and my daughter went to Exeter University; my eldest daughter, granddaughter and friends live there - I didn't know the quayside very well. I thought the area was beautiful, and I was keen to spend time in the Custom House and on the site and learn about its history. As well as this, I was familiar with the fantastic range of work Literature Works delivers, and thought this would be a great opportunity to create new work and meet new people.
Although I've been coming to Exeter for years - I've lived in different parts of the south west and it's often been my nearest city; I and my daughter went to Exeter University; my eldest daughter, granddaughter and friends live there - I didn't know the quayside very well. I thought the area was beautiful, and I was keen to spend time in the Custom House and on the site and learn about its history. As well as this, I was familiar with the fantastic range of work Literature Works delivers, and thought this would be a great opportunity to create new work and meet new people.
What do you have planned for your
residency?
During the residency I'll be doing
some historical research, and choosing some stories to write about.
This might take the form of poetry or short fiction, and will be
published online in the autumn. I'll be delivering two place based
creative writing workshops - one with a local school and another for
adults - and supporting participants to write using the site as
inspiration. There'll be an opportunity for some of the pieces
produced to be published on the blog. Each Thursday between 1 and 3
pm there's the opportunity for members of the public to drop in and
chat to me, and this week I was honoured to meet the last man to work
at Custom House as a customs and excise officer.
Are there any local stories or subjects that you are keen to find out about?
Are there any local stories or subjects that you are keen to find out about?
I'm interested in finding out about the
untold stories, stories of ordinary people who lived, worked or
passed through the Custom House and quayside. I'm more interested in
social history than learning about kings and queens. So far I've
learned that it was a centre for processing woollen cloth, and the
methods involved were rather alarming! (The wool was washed in a
fluid containing ammonia, which came from humans). The area used to
be very poor, and must have been very different to how it is today
with all the shops and bars and restaurants, and people sitting
around chatting outside in the sun. I want to find out about people
from marginalized groups, whose stories haven't traditionally been
told, such as women, working class people, and migrants. I'm
interested in any global connections or links with the African slave
trade. The residency is short so I don't have long! A few things have
already jumped out at me, and I'm sure there'll be plenty of material
to choose from!
What do you normally write about?
What do you normally write about?
I write about a range of things, often
around identity and place, and favourite themes include home, nature,
and landscape; gender; race; parenting; domestic violence; love; and
loss. I began writing originally to talk about the racism and
domestic violence I grew up with, and this gave me a voice. I'm keen
to tell stories of marginalised people from the south west, as the
idyllic image many people have of the region can hide rural
deprivation and discrimination; the countryside isn't all roses
around the cottage door for everyone. It can be tough living here as
a minority. I'm inspired by my own experience and memories, stories I
read in the news, someone I catch sight of who interests me, place
and history. I write poetry, fiction, articles and history which has
focused so far on black and minority ethnic people in the south west.
You can see examples of Louisa's work
and buy her poetry collections on her website:
www.louisaadjoaparker.com
If you're interested in the stories of black and brown people in the south west, check out her blog: www.whereareyoureallyfrom.co.uk
If you're interested in the stories of black and brown people in the south west, check out her blog: www.whereareyoureallyfrom.co.uk
If you have any stories you'd like to
share about the ordinary people who lived and worked at the quayside,
you can contact Louisa via her blog or drop in on her at the Customs
House on a Thursday afternoon.
<- Click here to find out more or to book for Louisa's workshop on Sunday 21st July
