Back in 2024, inaugural CEE Artist-in-Residence Rebecca Sharp launched her new writing group. This group meets regularly in a Victorian B-listed former Station House in Ladybank, Fife from which it took its name – ‘Off the Rails’. With Rebecca’s guidance, participants explore creative outlets in a supportive, safe and encouraging environment.
The group has sustainability and energy equity at the heart of how it operates – you can find out more about the approach in Rebecca’s main post. There is usually space for newcomers. If you’re inspired, get in touch through Rebecca’s website.
Below is a selection of participants’ work kindly contributed for this post, as well as testimony from the Off the Rails Writing Group.
Cairn by Bruce Shaw
Exposed
summit, storm force
winds blast, shadows shiver
unfazed, the loose boulder pile holds
stoic.
From Gur (extract) by Ravideep Kaur
re-awakening by Audrey Clark
Emerging from underground, nose to
the brightness, warm colours. Smelling
sunlight through earthy matter.
Listening to the sounds
of gossamer life.
Find a wee nook
sit inside,
look and
dream.
PARTICIPANT QUOTES
“I have been going to Rebecca’s Off the Rails writing group for three blocks now and each session I come away feeling inspired and fizzing with ideas. I was a little shy at first to share my work but Rebecca never put any pressure on, rather gently encouraged, and I feel my confidence grow with each block. Rebecca crafts a huge variety of interesting sessions with extreme care and attention. I have learnt so much about different forms of poetry and she gently guides the class through often complex things but the way she teaches makes them accessible. Rebecca is also very generous with her knowledge and skills, giving people individual attention. Rebecca’s unique talent and her gentle but encouraging teaching methods make for a perfect set up. I even had my first piece of published poetry created through one of Rebecca’s OTR sessions!” – Pamela
“Off the Rails and Rebecca as a teacher and mentor has been a transformative experience for my writing and for me as a writer. Rarely do you come across an individual who embodies holistic and decolonial practices whilst also cultivating group safety and individual courage. The result is that Off the Rails is a highly educational, deeply connective and relational space where individuals are gently encouraged to push and challenge their creative boundaries.” – Ravideep
“I attended my first ever writing course in Autumn 2025 at Off the Rails Arthouse in Ladybank, Fife. Despite arriving in a state of absolute terror, I somehow knew that after years of reading, I’d like to write more. Whilst Rebecca Sharp’s group and teaching style had been recommended, I wasn’t prepared for the new direction this written self-expression has taken me – entirely thanks to Rebecca (and the lovely group). My mind has been popping with ideas and inspiration as I’ve discovered new types of writing, poetry and approaches. Somehow Rebecca enabled me to have a go – vibrant examples, simple explanations, encouragement and feedback.” – Audrey
“In the two years since completing my MA in Creative Writing (Distinction) I have taken many courses and workshops. The Off the Rails workshops have a higher than usual practical content. Any theory is there to support the doing. Rebecca Sharp shares innovative and enjoyable techniques, along with the basic essentials to those who have not studied poetry before, and she creates an atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual support within the group.” – Barbara
“I’ve been participating in OTRWG since the beginning, and it’s taking my writing to exciting new places. The group is warm and welcoming, with a wonderful mix of writers, creatives, visual artists and folks who are just starting to explore their voice. Rebecca’s creativity shines through in each session, with inspiration being drawn from a myriad of places. The generous feedback she offers, combined with the rhythm of a fortnightly gathering, gives time to absorb, process and put into practice the learning along the way. It’s the highlight of my calendar.” – Christina
“Can’t believe we are about to enter into year 3, it’s been an excellent educational journey. Great group atmosphere, inspirational, enthusiastic and friendly in the welcoming space of the Arthouse. Thanks to Rebecca’s expert teaching, encouragement and guidance, we have been introduced to an array of styles and techniques that not only helps our writing process but urges us to think further and expand into other possibilities. I now feel much more confident about including writing as part of my practice, beyond my initial expectations.” – Bruce
“As a visual artist I arrived at Rebecca’s class with very little confidence in anything I ever wrote. From the very start I felt a sense of freedom and excitement about ways of finding my writing voice thanks to the dynamic and experimental approaches which Rebecca fosters in her own work and highlights through the work of others. The fortnightly classes and the supportive peer group have helped to ignite new ways of working, weaving into, between and through my making practice as an artist.” – Susie
