Niel Bushnell: Writer in Residence
Niel was commissioned as a Writer in Residence as part of the WRITE Festival programme 2017. Niel spent 7 days over March and April in the building and created 2 short stories inspired by his experiences which were presented on Saturday 24 June.
Follow that Ferry
The first story Neil produced was worked was written in collaboration with The Hebburn Reading Hackers: Daniel Archer, Abigail Baxter, Katie Brindley, Alice Collier, Benjamin Ferry, Jamie Neve, Emily Ward, Ethan White and Abbey Willis.
Would Have Could Have
The second story Niel produced was his main project as Writer in Residence at The Word. Before he began his residency, he said that:
“I wanted to use my time as the Writer in Residence at The Word to explore the relationship between the building and its location, and to find out what people who use this fantastic building think about it. I wanted to explore the idea of change, of how a location – or a person – can be split in two by a major event. The building represents the future, but what’s left of the past in the foundations? I wanted to gather as many stories as I can and use those ideas to create a new piece of fiction inspired by The Word.”