Magical Realism and Writing the Fantastical Body: a Fiction workshop at CRANK

The workshop is hosted within Crank’s spin studio: an otherworldly space that will be used to step out of the physical body and into an imaginary one. The workshop begins with readings of chosen texts followed by a guided discussion that will cover themes such as how physicality can unlock creativity, what it means to pursue an ideal (fictional) self, and how fantasy allows readers to escape their bodies.

Participants will take home writing prompts and will be encouraged to ideate and write a new character or story, with the opportunity to workshop and submit their work to Zoe/Postscript and alserkal.online.

About the Artist:

Zoe Jane Patterson is a journalist, editor, poet and fiction writer from Ontario, Canada. She moved to Al Ain with her family in 2012, where she discovered a cosmopolitan city with layers of stories to unfold. She now considers Abu Dhabi home. Zoe writes about childhood, feminism, family and identity. In 2018 she co-Founded Postscript Magazine: the first independent literary magazine in the UAE, which publishes bi-monthly issues of art and writing from around the world. Through Postscript, Zoe has run several creative workshops including an in-person writing workshop with Engage 101 and a series of collaborations with Exit 11. Zoe has performed poetry for Rooftop Rhythms and Hekayah and is currently writing her first novel.

About CRANK:

CRANK are a group of individuals who come from different backgrounds and fitness abilities with one thing in common: an appetite for fun and movement.

Being involved in various activities, they saw an opportunity for a home grown boutique offering that fosters a sense of cohesiveness among individuals with similar interests.

Enter CRANK! CRANK is more than just a place to workout - it is a space where you can free your mind, challenge yourself and become part of a strong community.