Nine writers joined Sara and Emma for our Autumn retreat. We returned to beautiful Asthall Manor, childhood home of the Mitford sisters, where the sun shone and it felt more like summer than Autumn. We were wonderfully looked after by our cook Fiona Cullinane. Writers worked on their novels during the week with one on…
At this year’s Winchester Writer’s Festival we ran a one day workshop to a group of 25 writers on the tricky subject of Structure! It’s a character’s desires, fears and actions that shape story. We looked at how the protagonist’s character arc can give structure to a novel. We discussed what a central narrative is,…
Thank you to everyone who attended our workshop on structure last week at the Winchester Writers’ Festival on the importance of structure. We were joined by 24 talented and enthusiastic writers and over the course of the workshop they produced a 100-word flash fiction piece inspired by a postcard, incorporating Sara and Emma’s tips and…
We are thrilled to confirm our two guest tutors for the October retreat at Asthall Manor, Oxfordshire. Best selling authors Tessa Hadley and Claire Fuller will give afternoon talks and evening readings to writers attending our five night retreat from October 7 – 12 2018 at the childhood home of the literary Mitford sisters. Professor of…
After a wonderful five days at our Wiltshire retreat we ended with everyone giving stunning elevator pitches for their novels. Thanks for coming.
On June 6 writers at our Wiltshire retreat were inspired and enthused by the very talented Claire Fuller who kindly came to talk about her journey to getting published, the inspiration behind her best selling novels Our Endless Numbered Days and Swimming Lessons and the tricks of good story telling. She also gave loads of…
We’re delighted to welcome Kirsty Dunseath, publisher of fiction at Weidenfeld & Nicolson, an imprint of the Orion Group, to our Wiltshire retreat on June 6. She’ll be talking to writers about the world of fiction publishing, what genres are selling and the importance of the hook and the pitch. She will look at an…
For writers working on a novel or work of fiction – 5 day writing retreat with editorial support at a historic house in Wiltshire from Sunday June 3 to Friday June 8, 2018. Also includes workshops and dinners with best selling author Claire Fuller and Orion fiction publisher and editor, Kirsty Dunseath. Five night stay in a…
Friday 15 June, 2018 – 9.30 am to 4.00 pm, The University of Winchester, Hampshire STORY, STRUCTURE AND CHARACTER ARCS It’s a character’s desires, fears and actions that shape story. This workshop looks at how the protagonist’s character arc can give structure to a novel. Sara and Emma discuss what a central narrative is, and…
Marcel Theroux’ creative writing workshop held on November 15 in the stunning ballroom at Asthall Manor was greatly enjoyed by our writers. Here’s what he had to say about storytelling: Story is all around us, all the time Characters are defined by their relationships Story happens when characters want things Story…