KATHMANDU, APRIL 25

16 aspiring queer writers attended A Room of One's Own - a day-long creative writing workshop organized by United Nations Nepal and Katha Satha today.

A Room of One's Own is a creative writing primer designed for queer writers who want to write but perhaps don't know where to begin, or who are looking for a supportive community to write with.

This workshop was inspired by and an extension of the writing residency of the same name held in December of 2022 where six writers from all over Nepal wrote together for 10 days and created a DIY zine of twenty-two original works of poetry and prose.

The bi-lingual workshop opened with introductions and shared about the 2022 UNFE residency and the zine. Throughout the workshop, the participants began their writing with memories from childhood tied to a specific space, such as 'home' that was intensely familiar to each writer.

'I loved the ambiance of the workshop and the gentle, non-intrusive way that [the facilitators] drew us out. I loved how introspective the workshop was and how it allowed me to look at myself as an inspiration to write rather than giving me generic advice that would have been in any other workshop. This felt personal to me, and it got me to understand why I write, which is useful in the long run.' - Eva Kafle, participant of the workshop.

The participants walked through exercises and readings on writing with five senses. They wrote one piece during the first half of the session and the next in the second half using the tool of a metaphor around an object of their choosing.

'I got to learn many technical skills and aspects of writing which I was not familiar with. I also got to express my feelings and share my own stories with the larger community. It was very helpful to put my words out there,' Nancy Yadav said.

Another attendee Leena Gurung shared; ' I thought the workshop was great in terms of being able to connect with writers. Often writing can feel like a solitary process and lonely. I loved hearing from others and sharing my own work.'

All participants wanted the workshop to be longer and hoped for a multi-day program or a residential program. They also expressed that the calm, kind, non-violent, and non-toxic ambience of the workshop was something that they have been needing and was an important part of their open participation today. They look forward to continued community building through more of these kinds of writing workshops.

'I think this was a very well-planned workshop. There wasn't a single moment where I felt disengaged. The most memorable part is the sharing we did at the end because I got to encounter so many different stories. I also really appreciated hearing others' thoughts and interpretations on my pieces-- I've never had that experience before and always had wondered what that would be like.'