Work Share - Shangri-La

My second entry for the Creative CV was a piece I titled Shangri-La, and was based on my first visit to the Swanwick Writers' Summer School in 2016. I regard this as an important moment, because after going to Swanwick, I wanted to spend more time on my writing. In fact, I'd probably say that Swanwick was what influenced my decision to go to university in the first place. In a bid to put the reader in my shoes, I opted to write this in a second person point-of-view.

You cruise down the A38 towards Derbyshire, admiring the early afternoon sunshine in the cloudless sky as Status Quo’s “Rockin' All over the World” plays in your head. This is your first holiday not spent with your family, and you haven’t felt excitement like this since your school days.

The GPS directs you to exit at the Watchorn Roundabout, you follow the trees lining Derby Road before arriving at the rustic village of Swanwick. Driving through the narrower streets, you smile at the wedding procession leaving St Andrew’s Parish Church. It accentuates the summer scene in your mind.

You follow more back roads to the Hayes Conference Centre. The smell of freshly cut lawns permeate through the car’s air conditioning as you drive through the main entrance. More trees line the road, along with banners for the Christian organisation which runs the venue. A Victorian mansion looms ahead, still hidden by the trees.

You turn right. Another road gives you a better view of the main building; while leading you to a newer building. You find a parking space overlooking a small lake. Cutting the engine, you stay in your seat for a moment and take in the serene view.

After taking your bags to your room, you stroll towards the main house. Attendees mingle on the lawn with tea and cakes. Some wear yellow badges, catching up after the school weeks from previous years. Others wear white badges similar to yours, meeting for the first time. You notice a greater mix of age ranges than in your local writers’ group. An elderly couple wearing yellow badges sit on a bench next to one of the elaborate floral displays. Standing next to them is a girl in her late teens with a white badge.

You grab a cup of tea and join a group of so-called “White Badgers”. They ask the typical questions:
“Have you travelled far?” A poet in his early sixties asks with a broad Scottish accent.
“What do you like to write?” An American children’s author in her late twenties inquires.
“What do you do for a living?” A songwriter in his mid-thirties probes.

Most of these people seem introverted like you, but you feel comfortable as you converse with them. Perhaps you may find plenty of kindred spirits in the coming week?
You’ll want to come back next year.

Andrew Roberts, 2018