You’ve led creative writing and songwriting workshops for Chorus Songwriting, Creative Opps, and Bristol Noise Workshops — what drew you to running sessions like these?

I first started running sessions that used improv theatre games as a gateway into songwriting. This came from my experiences attending local theatre workshops in Bristol and Sofia, combined with my love of making music. At university, I took a teaching course where I developed a higher education course using some of these techniques, and that’s when I realised how much I enjoyed teaching. From there, I began offering private lessons and actively seeking opportunities to facilitate workshops, whether in higher education or through creative arts initiatives. Around that time, I had the idea to create a series of songwriting workshops in Bristol, and that’s how Bristol Noise Workshops began earlier this year.

For those new to creative writing, how would you describe its value or power?

Being a storyteller is very special. Creative writing lets you take ideas from the tiniest gaps in the air and shape them into something others can experience. People have been doing this for centuries, across every medium imaginable, and that longevity shows that storytelling is a powerful practice, and its value is as relevant today as ever.

What can people expect from your Idea Generation Techniques for Creative Writing session?

Expect the unexpected. The session is practical, hands-on, and playful, designed to help you break out of habitual patterns and see your ideas in a new light. I won’t give away all the surprises, but if you’re curious about exploring new ways to generate creative ideas, this session is for you.

Do you have a go-to prompt or exercise for sparking inspiration?

I love experimenting and finding new entry points into my work. I think of it as having a toolbox of games and exercises: some to use when inspiration doesn’t strike, and some to guide me when it does but I’m unsure where to take it. One of my favourite, and probably under-appreciated, prompts is boredom. It feels like boredom is a premium these days, a rare and valuable space, and sitting with that stillness can be an incubator for unexpected creativity.

What’s one misconception people often have about creativity?

I think some people might think creativity is about doing and achieving. That you earn a badge when you make something. But I think creativity is something we already are. Whether or not I create anything on a given day, I know that as a human being, I’m inherently creative. Another misconception might be that creativity always looks like a polished work of art. Someone, who is a music therapist once told me “allow yourself to do bad art,” and that completely changed how I approach the creative process. Creativity doesn't seem to be about perfection; it’s about expressing yourself in different languages, experimenting, and exploring.

Finally, what do you hope people take away from your session?

I hope everyone leaves with a handful of ideas to explore in their own creative practice, and a burst of energy and inspiration to pick them up and create. More than that, I hope everyone feels that creativity is accessible, playful, and something they carry with them everyday.

Creative Stack is part of our ongoing series where Creative Opps members share what’s fuelling them — the ideas, tools, and inspirations shaping their creative practice right now. Here’s Kali’s:

▶ Favourite album right now: “(way too many to chose from, but...) Kid A by Radiohead”

▶ Favourite Film right now: “Interstellar”

▶ Favourite Place: “The sea and the mountains”

Ready to get inspired?

Sign up for How to Spark Ideas for Your Creative Writing with Kali George here and join us for a playful, hands-on session exploring creativity and storytelling.