The write stuff
Is 2022 the year you’re going to pen your first novel or memoir? Give creative aspirations a happy ending with these writing retreats, says SARAH MARSHALL
NO matter how old or young, everyone has a story to tell – but getting that story onto the page can be a challenge.
Whether you dream of composing your own memoir, a children’s book, or a gripping work of fiction (who knows, it may well top the bestsellers list one day!) , a creative writing retreat is a great way for novices to take the first step into making dreams a reality.
Here’s our pick of retreats designed to help you put pen to paper...
The ultimate story
The pandemic has caused a huge surge in ‘everyday’ people wishing to write their memoirs, in a bid to keep that history alive for generations to come.
Leading biography writing agency Master Storytellers is hosting a threenight Memoir Retreat in the spring, at Henley Hall – a 16th-century Shropshire country estate. The small group retreat will feature bestselling authors and ghost-writers giving talks, classes, workshops and private sessions. You’ll learn how to structure the book, add pace and drama, and find your unique tone of voice. Plus, you’ll get tips on how to craft powerful creative components; writing about people and places evocatively.
There’ll also be a segment on tackling painful memories and how to revisit the past, plus an opportunity to be photographed for the cover of your biography by a celebrity photographer.
HOW: From 19-22 May.
COST: from £1,195 per person, including all tuition and full-board accommodation.
■ master-storytellers.com/retreats
A novel idea
North Devon is the setting for this charming five-night retreat that aims to help aspiring fiction writers of all abilities. Stay in a cosy old barn with creaking floors, crackling fireplaces and fine country views, in Sheepwash village – a 35-minute drive from the coast.
Led by novelist Rebecca Horsfall, the short break balances structured learning with free time to focus on your own creativity. The in-depth morning sessions last two hours and cover crucial components from planning and plotting, to mastering the notoriously tricky opening pages and avoiding the ‘mid-novel slump.’
Full of constructive advice and encouraging guidance, time is also dedicated to group discussions and individual coaching sessions. Rebecca, who also works as a ‘book doctor’ and lectures in creative writing, is happy to share her personal experiences and valuable advice on how best to increase your odds of getting the novel published – once you finish it, of course.
HOW: From 13-17 June.
COST: From £665 per person, including full-board accommodation.
■ retreatsforyou.co.uk
La Dolce Vita
Described as an ‘alchemy of escapism, creativity and renewal,’ this female-only writing retreat in Tuscany takes place in May and supports writers regardless of their experience or goals.
Course leader, writer Jess Lourey, takes a holistic approach and aims to help you find the true emotional heart of the story.
But this break goes far beyond the actual writing. Time is set aside to help guests reconnect with themselves and also bond with like-minded women important elements that subconsciously aid the creative process.
And it’s set against a backdrop of rolling hills, medieval churches and the cobbled streets of Montecatini Terme, a spa town west of Florence. Expect trips, memorable meals, pasta-making classes and even time in Rome.
HOW: From 14-20 May.
COST: from £2,499 per person, including all tuition, accommodation and some meals.
■ creativewritingretreat.com