In the end, all the writers had a story waiting to be fleshed out after a workshop on short fiction by novelist and UCT Professor Barbara Boswell.

She shared a three-part story formula – the beginning, the middle and the end – with a packed Mowbray library at the Cape Cultural Collective’s Writer’s Club meeting on 5 September. Author of The Comrade’s Wife and Grace: A Novel, Professor Boswell said this simple formula was a good way to start when writers were unsure how to.

She gave the writers time to think of opening lines and useful questions to use when developing a character, such as their favourite food, item of clothing or time of day; their biggest desire, greatest enemy and had they ever been in love. Characters in their favourite coats, holding their drinks of choice, knocked on the doors of the writers’ minds and said, “Hello, I’m ready to talk now.”

Among them, the ghost of Piet Relief; the homeless hustlers around Mowbray library; and a desperate young lady needing to get to Salt River station to board a train to Muizenberg where she had to speak to a character named Ben. Barbara spoke of adding details to the story – the weather, evoking the senses – a taste, a smell, a breeze on the skin, the sound of a train. These details don’t necessarily take the story further but add texture. 

“The moodiness of the day can add to the suspense.”

She pointed out how a place can also be a character in the story – a detail that can evoke a sense of Cape Town, for example, is the Noon Day Gun. She said following a formula could make a good story or a boring story.

However, “Our creativity is limitless.”

On finding time to write, Professor Boswell said she wrote her first book during long train commutes. “You must find your rhythm,” she said, recommending recording ideas on your cellphone, keeping a journal next to your bed and scheduling time in your diary to write.

She shared the concept of a “shut up and write” group, where you say hi, order a coffee and write.  “The most important thing is to show up for your writing, to have discipline and to keep the promise you made to yourself.”

As a scholar, Professor Boswell specialises in African women’s writing, Black feminist literature, queer theory and post-colonial studies. Professor Boswell will be at The Writer’s Cafe at the Kleinmond Inniebos Kunstefees (KliK) in the small seaside town of Kleinmond from 27 to 29 November. 

KliK 2026 brings together acclaimed writers, poets, storytellers, musicians, publishers, and artists for a vibrant celebration of language, culture and creativity. 

Visit https://www.quicket.co.za/events/339579-kleinmond-inniebos-kunstefees-klik/#/ for more information and to book.

The next Writer’s Club meeting is on Saturday September 26 at Wynberg library where Russell Dudley will host a workshop on writing haikus, from 9.30am to 11.30am. Entry is free.