FOLLOWING a successful run of the recently held Creative Writing Workshop at Harare Girls High School, the organisers, award-winning writers Memory Chirere, Eresina Hwede, Eve Nyemba and Reggemore Marongedze, have put in motion plans to develop the coaching clinics into a series of weekend classes in and out of Harare.
The maiden Harare Creative Writing Workshop had each of the four panellists teaching poetry, short story writing, writing for stage and radio, and artificial intelligence (AI) and digital marketing.
Marongedze, who lectured on the use of social media and AI, said he was impressed by the audience's reception, adding that he would continue to network and interact with the creative sector for its betterment.
“A creative’s ability to navigate on digital platforms can help in the enhancement of quality of work including increasing opportunities for monetising creative work,” Marongedze said.
He stressed that in today’s digital economy, mastering AI tools, content automation and analytics can elevate the quality, reach, and marketability of creative works.
From using AI to brainstorming ideas, editing manuscripts or optimising metadata for e-books, to leveraging on digital marketing for global distribution, creatives were urged to adapt quickly to ensure their art remains relevant and discoverable.
TV presenter and poet Felex Mafumbe Mutasa, affectionately known as Dapi Mushagadi Mukuru, who was part of the class, vowed to take immediate steps to transform his career path and works of imagination to global widely followed entertaining productions.
Hwede, who shared her professional experience and tutelage on writing for radio and stage, told the audience that the radio and stage acts play an important role in educating the masses, hence justifying the need to prepare bold, clear and succinct content.
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She urged the creatives to continue experimenting with the knowledge they acquired as they prepare for their lined-up future workshop series.
Literary workshops like the creative writing one play a vital role in nurturing and refining creative voices.
Chirere said many local writers began their journey through self-teaching and structured platforms which helped to polish raw talent to be able to produce market-ready content.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Chirere told NewsDay Life & Style that a creative’s ability to provide educating and entertaining material within the shortest time possibles through a novella or short original story helps in nurturing good citizenship.
“Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter,”these powerful words by African literary icon Chinua Achebe resonate deeply with the mission of the recently held Creative Writing Workshop.
With overwhelming public interest, the organisers have committed to expanding the workshop into a series of weekend coaching clinics across and beyond Harare, each one designed to cultivate unique perspectives in poetry, short story writing, dramatic scripting and digital creativity.
As the initiative expands to a full-fledged series, it promises to become a pivotal space for nurturing literary talent that is both culturally grounded and globally competitive.
With continued mentorship from seasoned professionals and the integration of emerging technologies, Zimbabwe’s storytellers are poised to shape narratives that inform, entertain and inspire even beyond the borders.
