Currently...
Nanpantan Hall - Labours Lost project
Nanpantan Hall near Loughborough - like all 'big houses' had an army of domestic staff, gardeners and estate workers to pamper the landowning family and support their foxhunting passions. This year I worked on the life of Thomas Phipps - Head Groom there for 30 years - who took his own life in the Nanpantan stables in 1927. Because the local newspaper ran an article giving details from the inquest, I was able to learn a lot about Thomas' life, even though we only had two photos of him. It was a privilege to work with Thomas' great grand-daughter Ruth, local historians, fine artists, and a host of other artists and craftspeople on this big exhibition and to perform my poems about Thomas and his pet magpie (of 15 years) at Nanpantan Hall. I am now touring with this performance - it investigates the politics of the time; the clash between animals seen as 'good' and those seen as 'bad'; the turmoil that the death of a child, and a suicide in a family, causes; the yawning chasm between 'the landed gentry' and all their workers.
Individual Mentoring for writers
- for your written work, and your performance skills
I work with individuals - and groups - to help them write, edit and perform better. I've got over 20 years' experience of nurturing writers at every stage of their development. I love enabling people to find their own voice, and to express it to the full. Here's what some of my students have said recently. Contact me to chat through what you'd like to work on.
"Char is a brilliant editor and wonderful to work with. Down-to-earth and generous, she has offered me careful, critical feedback and her comments have undoubtedly made my work stronger." Rachel Bower - poet
"Working with Char was a breath of fresh air. Not only did she give me a completely new perspective on my work, she took the time to understand me and my perspective first. I was hugely impressed by her thoughtful responses on form, theme, and even the extensive research she did on the various topics I brought into play throughout the collection. She talked me through her ideas extremely professionally, but also as a friend would. I can only hope that I get the opportunity to work with Char again in the future." Caroline Hardaker - poet
"Char March has a fantastic ear for poetry and is just the kind of writer whose opinion you trust. She is an excellent critic and editor of other peoples’ work."
Anne Caldwell - award-winning poet.
"Our performance skills have come along with a great leap under your guidance and thought-provoking questioning and insight. We were able to progress from tongue twister warm-up exercises to a 20-minute performance (that included being heckled!) with confidence.
You helped us to look at who we are, how we relate, how to look after ourselves - and our audience - and how we perform. By being professionally focused, gently challenging and just lovely, you helped us get our act together. It was great and has made such a difference."
'Invisible Ink' performance group
Quote from Holocaust memoir writer Jackie Kohnstamm:
"Char March has been an Editor Extraordinaire on my book. Her perceptive comments and queries have been just what I needed, whether pinpointing smaller inconsistencies or larger areas of confusion; suggesting where more (or less) could strengthen the narrative; doing her damnedest to dig out what I hadn’t quite managed to express. She was extremely encouraging, and always pointed out the areas she felt worked – and why. All along – and I believe this is what makes her a top editor – she has respected it’s my book, my story, not hers. Her aim throughout has been to help make it shine. Char’s comments gave me the inspiration and impetus to rework my book straightaway!"
Quote from playwright Helen Shay about me editing her competition-winning monologue ‘Run’:
"I knew you would be the best person to look at it, if at all possible. You’ve inspired me. You always give insightful constructive criticism, with the integrity to state honestly how I can improve my work. Thank you so much for this. It has been invaluable!"
I work with individuals - and groups - to help them write, edit and perform better. I've got over 20 years' experience of nurturing writers at every stage of their development. I love enabling people to find their own voice, and to express it to the full. Here's what some of my students have said recently. Contact me to chat through what you'd like to work on.
"Char is a brilliant editor and wonderful to work with. Down-to-earth and generous, she has offered me careful, critical feedback and her comments have undoubtedly made my work stronger." Rachel Bower - poet
"Working with Char was a breath of fresh air. Not only did she give me a completely new perspective on my work, she took the time to understand me and my perspective first. I was hugely impressed by her thoughtful responses on form, theme, and even the extensive research she did on the various topics I brought into play throughout the collection. She talked me through her ideas extremely professionally, but also as a friend would. I can only hope that I get the opportunity to work with Char again in the future." Caroline Hardaker - poet
"Char March has a fantastic ear for poetry and is just the kind of writer whose opinion you trust. She is an excellent critic and editor of other peoples’ work."
Anne Caldwell - award-winning poet.
"Our performance skills have come along with a great leap under your guidance and thought-provoking questioning and insight. We were able to progress from tongue twister warm-up exercises to a 20-minute performance (that included being heckled!) with confidence.
You helped us to look at who we are, how we relate, how to look after ourselves - and our audience - and how we perform. By being professionally focused, gently challenging and just lovely, you helped us get our act together. It was great and has made such a difference."
'Invisible Ink' performance group
Quote from Holocaust memoir writer Jackie Kohnstamm:
"Char March has been an Editor Extraordinaire on my book. Her perceptive comments and queries have been just what I needed, whether pinpointing smaller inconsistencies or larger areas of confusion; suggesting where more (or less) could strengthen the narrative; doing her damnedest to dig out what I hadn’t quite managed to express. She was extremely encouraging, and always pointed out the areas she felt worked – and why. All along – and I believe this is what makes her a top editor – she has respected it’s my book, my story, not hers. Her aim throughout has been to help make it shine. Char’s comments gave me the inspiration and impetus to rework my book straightaway!"
Quote from playwright Helen Shay about me editing her competition-winning monologue ‘Run’:
"I knew you would be the best person to look at it, if at all possible. You’ve inspired me. You always give insightful constructive criticism, with the integrity to state honestly how I can improve my work. Thank you so much for this. It has been invaluable!"
