Amy's Diary
Amy is a student at Benjamin Britten High School and her diary tells us all about her work placement with local writer Julie Gulliver.
Amy
It’s the end of my first day here on work experience placement with Julie. Now I understand why it’s called work “experience.” It’s only been a short day (10-3) but I’ve realised plenty of things already. Poetry is interesting, (that’s not something I’ve ever thought before!) I can actually focus on a task, which I can never do in school, and I have researched how Celtic heritage inspires their jewellery. This last exercise will help me in the upcoming exhibition Julie is putting on next week, focusing on Suffolk and Ireland, which I am very much looking forward to. And that’s the end of one day!
Tuesday – Second day
Last night I went home looking forward to today immensely. Yesterday we sent out a press release about the upcoming exhibition to the OneSuffolk website including a mention about me helping her and it’s resulted in my name being on their webpage! My name in print! Now that’s not something that happens every day. After reading Julie’s press release I’ve written my very own for the exhibition tailored for my age group. Doing this is helping to develop a new, useful skill, I must try to remember this! Maybe I’ll write it on my hand or a maybe even just scribble it on a post it note! Then, in conjunction with the exhibition I typed up Julie’s creative writing groups’ poetry, this inspired me to write my own poems based on Suffolk and Ireland which are being put in the exhibition! How nerve wracking, I might end up putting anonymous! Yet again, another beneficial day has come to a close! Can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds! (Haha, I just realised that rhymes! All this poetry is wearing off on me!)
Wednesday – Third Day
Today started later than usual as I had an exam! Ah! It was really terrible! But, by the time I was sat at my desk in Julie’s office it was soon forgotten, as are all of lives little worries when I’m here at work so it seems! We instantly focused on an art piece for the exhibition, which I helped to do research for the other day. We are designing a fabric version of the Sunrise Coast logo intertwined with Celtic spirals and waves, all hand sewn (with the assistance of Julie’s wonderful Mum!) I must say it’ll look great, perfect for the exhibition! I must get a photograph of it when it’s finished! After finishing today’s work on the piece Julie showed me some brilliant websites to find heaps of reliable information suitable for studying etc. on the internet. One of the ones I’ll definitely be using is www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk as it’s so simple, speedy and very reliable - perfect for all these essays I’ve got piling up! I’m especially looking forward to tomorrow as Julie has local photographer Julian Claxton coming over to teach me the basics in photography! All these new skills! I’m going to have more than I can use by the end of these two weeks! I’m going to need lots of post-it-notes! And there’s the end of my third day!
Thursday – Fourth day
Today Julie, Julie’s mum and me all set to work on the piece for the exhibition again. Finally after balls of wool, heaps of fabric and tonnes of pin pricked fingers later - we have created a brilliant piece for the exhibition! All that’s to be done is for it to be stuck down and hey presto! It’ll be finished! Then after hours of stitching away local photographer Julian Claxton came round to Julie’s and he was truly inspirational! He showed me the basics in photography, which involved me holding his camera worth over £4000! I was so scared of dropping it, doesn’t help that I’m ridiculously clumsy! Then after having good conversations about Julian’s career and personal future careers with both Julie and Julian the day was over.
Friday – Fifth day
Brilliant, the press release got a mention in the journal! Once again my name was in print! Twice in one week, I’ll be famous by the end of work experience! Julie was thrilled to have the display promoted. Then after having a flick through the journal and a yummy cheese sandwich we set off to Oulton Broad Library to neaten up the exhibition room. I think I spent most of the time trying to get one piece of paper straight! It just kept going wonky, but the stress of that piece of paper was well worth it as the room really looks great now. Perfect for showing off all of the exceptional photography and poetry! And with that my first week was over, it’s gone so quickly! I’m sure next week will be just as good!
Monday – Sixth day
After another daunting exam first thing this morning Julie picked me up and we went back to her home where we added the finishing touches to the exhibition piece, which is now framed with background information written for it so people looking at it will know more about the piece. Then to finish the day we set up the rest of the exhibition room, putting up all the pictures, poems and books. Complete with background Irish music! It’s going to be excellent!
Tuesday – Seventh day
Today we had another late start as I had another exam! A whole hour and a half in length! After that ordeal we went and saw the exhibition which was being manned by Julie’s lovely mum for the duration of the display. After seeing the work we went for a relaxing drink in a sunny courtyard and discussed the placement so far, and what I’d learnt and things I was yet to learn. I also learnt that the word ‘anthology’ – is a Greek word meaning a collection of flowers!
Wednesday – Eighth day
Today has been a fun and productive day. Julie and I were out and about in Lowestoft town doing observational work to help with creative writing. I had to observe and see how many different creative art forms I could see and hear; I am surprised at how many there are, from flower arrangements to architecture. We also had a good look around second hand shops to look at fabrics and such like for textiles work and other possible creative pieces. Then after trekking for hours around town we popped into the exhibition and closed it up for the day then went back to her home to do some work on creative writing from our days inspirations. I learnt the four basic things I need to remember; observation, imagination, experience and research (the four fundamentals of creative writing).
Thursday – Ninth day
Today we sat in the exhibition, plenty of people came through, all of which made positive comments such as, “A wonderful creative exhibition, which I thoroughly enjoyed - beautiful photographs and lovely poetry. Thank you.” And that was one of many brilliant comments. Alongside this Julie was giving me tips on how to create a character by writing my own character development sheet. Part way through the afternoon a teacher also visited who seemed very impressed by our work over the past two weeks. Then after a hard day’s work we closed up and the day was finished. Only one day left! It’s gone so quickly, I’m going to miss it here.
Friday – Tenth day
It’s my last day. I’ve had such a great two weeks; I’ve learnt so many new skills. From how to write press releases all the way through to being able to take successful photographs. Over my two weeks I’ve gained experience in how to socialise better, for example all of the people who have come into the exhibition, all of which are in different age groups yet they are all delightful to talk to, people that have real experiences and have something to share with others. Then there is Julie’s writing class who were also inspirational to meet. I hope to see them again sometime. I’ve also learnt how important it is to handle my time efficiently and how best to meet deadlines. And although I haven’t been in a conventional work environment, I have had a huge insight into freelance life and I have seen how hard Julie has to work to keep her successful and ever growing business running. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work placement, I really do not want to go back to school, I’d love to stay and work with Julie as it really is incredibly inspirational. Unfortunately, that isn’t an option! But, when I do go back to school I feel I’m going back there with a new sense of motivation, purpose and a tonne of new skills. More than anything though I will miss Julie, she has been a wonderful employee and I hope to keep in contact with her for a long time, she has really made this experience so memorable and I appreciate all she has done for me immensely.
And that’s the end of my diary!
Julie Gulliver's website is www.moonliterature.com She will soon be giving dates for new classes in creative writing for all ages and abilities. These will be starting in August/September.