Giving thought to my upcoming residency in Woolwich at The Reach Climbing Wall (https://www.thereach.org.uk). Centre staff are wholly supportive, climbers I've spoken with are interested in participating, and, personally, I'm eager to use the time to explore prose, something I've only played around with until now. We have all settled on the theme of 'first climbs', to involve everyone: young students visiting the centre for the first time, experienced climbers and staff.
My initial research seems to indicate some existing fictionalised writing on the subject of, or related to, climbing. One book I look forward to reading on the shores of Lake Sebago, Maine next week, is One Step in the Clouds: an omnibus of mountaineering novels and short stories (compiled by Audrey Salkeld and Rosie Smith, Diadem Books (London)/Sierra Club Books (San Francisco), 1990). The collection contains a bibliography of mountain fiction, and I'll hone in on stories that might focus on climbing, in particular; I wonder if there is much, or anything, set in the indoor rock gym?
In the name of research, I also plan to visit the Salt Pump Climbing Co. in Portland, Maine (http://www.saltpumpclimbing.com) while on vacation with my family. Will have to reacquaint myself with the American grading systems. The Reach, during the week, is populated by a handful of mature female climbers, mostly part-time workers, and the camaraderie is wonderful. I'm curious to see if there is a similar vibe in Maine.