If you were asked to write a ghost story off the top of your head do you think you'd be able to? The majority of people we've spoken to at our workshops didn't think they could. However, with a few simple exercises you'd be surprised at how creative you can be - even if you've never written any kind of story before. The BBC RaW campaign (Reading and Writing) aims to encourage reading, writing and demonstrate that it can be fun. Writing workshops As part of this campaign, the CSV Action Desk at BBC Radio Norfolk set up a number of RaW workshops in partnership with local libraries and Bev Bird from the Thetford Excellence Partnership. It proved that regardless of your writing ability, everyone has the potential to write a thrilling ghost story. Workshops were held at Great Yarmouth library, Great Yarmouth college and Thetford and Gaywood in King's Lynn. Those people who took part weren't confident writers but the three-hour sessions were fun - and the result was that they were surprised at the stories they created. Each session was delivered by the BBC's Bev Bishop, who has been working on the BBC RaW campaign in prisons across the country. Now it's your turn If you've longed to put pen to paper to write your own story, but have never known how to get started, then we have some useful pointers. We challenge you to write a short ghost story in less than two hours, by using our guide which was used at the workshops. We think you'll be surprised with your own abilities! Radio debut Some of the stories written during the workshops will be broadcast on BBC Radio Norfolk's afternoon programme between 2 and 5pm during the week starting Monday, 23 October, 2006. You can also sneak a listen to some of the stories by clicking on the links below - or even read a couple. All these stories were thought up and written in less than three hours by members of public. Not one person was an experienced story writer - so if they can do it, so can you! If you'd like our Ghost Story Challenge Pack which includes useful tips and exercises, download it from this page or call the CSV Action Desk on 01603 631631 and request a pack by post. | 
