Plot Potatoes is a relaxed and informal writing group open to people of all ages and experience levels, reports Anna-Louise Adepegba

Plot Potatoes at Dugdale Arts Centre — The Plot Potatoes writing group at Dugdale Arts Centre (credit Anna-Louise Adepegba)

An award-winning writer from Los Angeles has started a creative writing club at Dugdale Arts Centre.

In an effort to bring some of her American creativity to Enfield Town, Sara Kapadia started ‘Plot Potatoes’, a relaxed and informal writing group open to people of all ages and experience levels.

Sara, who has a background in academic writing, now writes fiction and non-fiction across science, fantasy and culture. Living in Los Angeles for 20 years, a city with a strong writing scene and creative culture, inspired her to create a similar space after moving back to London in 2025.

She said: “In LA, there are writers everywhere, especially scriptwriters and authors. We have a culture of sharing creativity boldly and loudly; I became passionate about bringing something similar to Enfield after realising the nearest writers’ group was in Walthamstow.

“I put up posters all around town, and posted about the group on every local facebook group I could find.”

“The club is open to everyone, of all ages and to all levels of writing, whether people want to write seriously or just for fun. I want it to feel unconfrontational, silly and encouraging.”

At a recent session there were three attendees, including a baker, a successful screenwriter and an NHS worker.

Lucy Dwyer attended the group after seeing it promoted on Facebook. The 50-year-old scriptwriter from Jersey, now based in London, was recently selected for the UK’s Women in Action mentoring and pitching initiative.

Lucy has worked across a variety of screen projects and worked her way up to producer level on productions including Eurovision Song Contest, The Weakest Link and Bafta Tribute.

She said: “Being a writer can be lonely. It’s always good to try and get out there and talk to others of all writing levels. I saw the group and thought it would be a great chance to do just that and hopefully with my experience I have some valuable stuff to share.”

Sara was selected for a six-month mentorship with Macmillan Publishers in 2020, where having her work professionally critiqued significantly developed her understanding of creative writing.

She’s designed the sessions to help attendees learn the writing fundamentals.

Sara said: “It was an eye-opening experience when I received that level of feedback. In my sessions, I give attendees worksheets and activities to learn the ins and outs of different techniques. At other times, discussions often drift into conversations about books, films and television.

NHS worker Caroline was encouraged to join the group by a friend. She became more invested in the hobby during lockdown.

Caroline said: ‘I’ve always enjoyed writing, and often thought poems write me. I end up with poems scattered around the house on scraps of paper or kitchen roll. The ideas in my head never stop.

“I wondered whether people would actually want to read them. Since joining, I’ve learnt valuable things and, most of all, I’m happy to have found a place with like-minded people.”

Similarly, baker and chef Rob Thomas, from Edmonton, also developed writing as a hobby during the pandemic. Currently, he is working on a thriller-style novel.

Rob said: “Exercising your brain is just as important as exercising the body, and this group is a great brainstorming exercise.

“I’m not sure where my book is going to go, but being in the group definitely keeps my creativity alive, and I’ve been looking for something like this for a while.”

Although attendees came from very different professional backgrounds, the group was united by a shared interest in storytelling and creativity.

Sara said she hopes the club can become a welcoming space for local people to meet, write and exchange ideas.

She said: “I am very happy with how the group has started out, and hope it grows over the year. I’m sure there’s lots of creative talent nearby that can be nurtured in these sessions.”

The sessions take place every Thursday from 5pm to 7pm, and are among the many free activities hosted at the Dugdale in London Road, Enfield Town.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.