My time at Hay

The renowned Hay Literary Festival really is a shining needle in a haystack for creative and literate thinkers. A vivid, green festival site filled with the hustle-and-bustle of sun soaked book buyers, all surrounded by beautiful, endless Welsh countryside. The diverse lectures and insights to great minds. Engaging debates and satirical views. Flowing musicians and artists. Hay really is a cultural hot pot with engaging aspects for everyone.

As a part of Hay Literary Festival's desire to motivate young writers, the opportunity to gain an all inclusive four days at the festival was open to twenty Welsh sixth form students in The Beacons Project. By supposed skill and more likely considerable luck, my application for the project was granted and for four days I was whisked off with nine other students for what turned out to be an invaluable learning experience with some wonderfully innovative people. On the winding journey to Hay-On-Wye the slight doubt that I would be completely out of my comfort zone amongst highly intelligent, snooty tweed wearing intellectuals was looming. Yet, arriving jumbled bag and notebook in hand to the bunting filled site, my bias doubt was quickly sent packing. Here I met two lovely leaders and nine unorthodox and welcoming peers who quickly became friends through the incredible madness of the coming days.

The stereotype of professional writers being pretentious and hostile was also eradicated as through exclusive Beacons Project workshops and interviews it became apparent that despite their impeccable intellect and prestige within their fields, professionals are like us; mere human beings, and often nice ones at that. When meeting Caitlin Moran her zany character filled the room as she told us to chase our dreams. Academic, David Crystal shared his vast intellect in a humble and approachable manner. A zest for journalism and its countless opportunities was expressed by Oliver Balch. A chilled Marcus Brigstock discussed British comedy and the media after reveling in the £6 bargain of a Stevie Wonder vinyl. Time after time professional authors, poets, journalists etc were increasingly eager to share their knowledge and experiences within the literary and media industry in a perfectly human way. For this, I am incredibly grateful for having been a part of the Beacons Project, as it has provided a unique insight into an increasingly inventive, yet highly daunting, way of life. But who knows, maybe one day it will be a member of the Beacons Project flying the flag for the literary world?

Before my time at Hay and being a part of The Beacons Project, the interest of one day becoming a writer was often met by one of two responses: 1) You're wasting your time or, 2) Go for a proper job. Now I can confidently push those opinions aside. The Beacons Project has bolstered my fire. Given the push needed to at least try, what's the worst that could happen? In no way do I see myself being in the position of the wonderful professionals I've met but I'd happily write their emails and find out how they take their coffee in a bid for following that spark of desire. As cliche as it may sound, I urge anyone aged 16-18 interested in English to at least look into The Beacons Project, and for everyone and anyone to take all opportunities thrown at you, I wouldn't be writing this now if I hadn't taken a leap.

Laura