Sharjah 24: As part of the Cultural Office's initiatives at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah (SCFA), the "Time for Creativity" course was organised to nurture literary talents. The course, aimed at enhancing novel writing skills, attracted over twenty participants of various ages and backgrounds, including female students from Al Qasimia University.

Open to individuals aged 18 and above, the free workshop, titled "Introductions to Narrative Techniques," was conducted by writer Islam Abu Shakir over four days, from May 20 to 23, at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs’ headquarters.

A. Abu Shakir emphasised that the primary goal of the "Time for Creativity" course is to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of novel writing, including its components and elements. The course aims to help members develop skills in outlining basic novel structures, character description, and logical event progression. He highlighted the importance of such courses, noting the participants' strong cultural and cognitive backgrounds and their positive engagement throughout the sessions.

Participants expressed their eagerness to attend the course to refine their talents and enhance their literary creativity through the well-structured writing foundations provided by experienced instructors. They were grateful for the opportunity offered by the Cultural Office to gain knowledge, experience, and training in novel writing. The participants also emphasised the need for regular training workshops, as these sessions encourage aspiring writers to take their first steps into the world of novel writing and offer crucial support and motivation for those entering the field.

Salha Faraj Al Alili, a writer of children's articles and stories, including "My Mother is My Refuge," participated in the course to acquire novel-writing skills. Despite her job, she attended the course to develop her talent, ideas, and inspiration, seeking the support and guidance needed to launch her first novels. She confirmed that the course provided comprehensive answers to all her questions about the foundations of novel writing and was highly beneficial.

Ahlam Ahmed Abu Yousef shared her experience, stating, "I have had previous attempts in writing, including several reflections, story attempts, and a YouTube channel called 'A Date with Life.' However, I felt I lacked experience in narration to develop my channel and stories. Attending the course greatly enriched my perspective. I used to think that stories were mere mirrors of reality, but I learned that narration involves imagination, perceptions, and precise descriptions, allowing the reader to experience the writer’s emotions and senses. I also discovered that endings can be open and left to the reader's imagination. This inspired me to rewrite my stories based on the new principles I learned.

Osaima Ibrahim, who has a published collection of short stories and two unpublished novels, joined the training course to refine her skills and enhance her novel-writing experience. She confirmed that the course was very beneficial, helping her identify weaknesses in her novels that she will address before publishing.

Salwa Ahmed participated in the course despite having no prior writing experience, driven by her love for writing and desire to be creative. She found the course encouraging, especially as it allowed her to practically apply theoretical knowledge. Salwa confirmed that the course revealed her genuine desire and talent for writing.