Come on one of our courses and expect to work hard, have fun and enjoy the space to write in a beautiful setting, all under the expert guidance of writers who are successful in their field.
2010 Courses
The Peak District
25-27 June 2010
Arrive 4pm Friday 25 June 2010
Finish 4.30pm Sunday 27 June 2010
Tutors: Jill Dawson and Kathryn Heyman
Cost per person: £375
Starting to Write a Novel
Chapter one: you begin...
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to write a novel but can’t even start because the task seems overwhelming.
Or, perhaps you've started and for a while, all’s well, but then your plot runs aground, your characters fade, and you lose faith in your idea.
This intensive weekend of workshops, exercises, discussions and one-to-one tutorials will help you find your material and develop a story. We’ll look at plot and character, structure and narrative voice. We’ll discuss troubleshooting problems when they arise, and how to keep on writing. There'll also be a short extract from a novel to read beforehand, for discussion with the group.
The course is suitable for beginners and for more experienced writers.
School Trips
Clouds Hill Writers offer writing retreats as school trips for English A level students. Each retreat is led by published authors and is tailored specifically to the requirements of the school. The retreat can be run to complement classroom-based studies or mapped into the A level syllabus to help with coursework and to prepare students for examinations. With increasing numbers of students achieving grade As, this experience on an UCAS form will help differentiate students from other high-achievers, as well as provide a valuable insight into a career as a writer.
The retreats are individually priced (depending on the precise make-up of the weekend) and set at an affordable level for schools. Please contact us for a quote.
2009 courses
Posada del Torcal
30 January - 1 February 2009
Arrive 4pm Friday 30 January 2009
Finish 4.30pm Sunday 1 February 2009
Tutors: tbc
Hassop Hall
11 - 13 May 2009
Tutors: Katie Fforde and Sophie Hannah
The courses include all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), teas, coffees, bed linen and towels. Alcoholic drinks not included.
Extra drinks/food ordered at Hassop Hall and Posada del Torcal are paid for by guests.
Travel is not included.
Writing Retreat for Established Writers
Dates: Mon, 29th June-Friday,3rd July
Location: A beautiful farmhouse in the Peak District with your own double or twin bedroom*, an indoor heated swimming pool and a games room.
A Clouds Hill retreat offers the opportunity to experience a focussed writing environment, access peer support and enjoy a beautiful setting away from all distractions.
Features of a Clouds Hill retreat, which is tailored according to demand, include:
- A daily writing routine with scheduled coffee and lunch breaks to help structure your day
- Daily round-up of how your writing is going
- Evenings discussions for points of interest – plotting/editing/marketing yourself and your work
- Manuscript buddies/informal workshops/feedback sessions
Or you can simply come to write and follow your own routine in the knowledge you will have peace, tranquillity and no distractions.
And to relax and aid the flow of creative juices, the following can be arranged:
- Massage
- Yoga
- Organised walks in the Peak District
