'Writing from Life' with Lucy Wadham |
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Dates: Sat 24 June - Sat 1 July 2017
Cost: Cost £795* (shared room £695)
Every life is filled with stories – our own, those of our ancestors, even the ones we might have heard from a stranger on a train…Faber novelist, Lucy Wadham, bestselling author of The Secret Life of France will coax out the stories from your life experience. Whether you’re interested in writing fiction or memoir, Lucy will help you to hone the skills that are required for a good novel. Teaching you how to build conflict and tension through pace and structure, precise language and rich detail, Lucy will help you to shape your material and uncover its universal appeal.
During the week you'll be looking at examples of fiction and non-fiction and examining what it is that works about them. You'll be given exercises to improve your storytelling skills and to help you plunder your memories for treasure.
Lucy will build your confidence as a writer and give you some tools with which to combat creative block. By the end of the week you’ll feel ready to go forth into your writing life.
I could not recommend a course more highly. One of those cherishing “lifetime moments” encapsulated in all too short a week. I won’t forget it. (Tim Holmes)
A warm welcome, relaxed atmosphere, cosy rooms, delicious locally grown food, wild walks in wild forests and inspiring company... I'll be back next year. (Jenny Cater)
I was a physical wreck when I got to you and my mental state was pretty gloomy too. When I left, I felt light, free of pain and able to cope, and enthused about writing.” (Daphne Wilbraham)
Access to a printer (bring a UBS key) can be arranged and we have a wifi point.
As with our other weeks, massages are normally available from our on-site therapist, Frances. Walking maps can be provided, hammocks abound, and we’ll show you to the firewood pile in case you'd like to make yourself an outdoor fire in the evenings.
As part of the informal atmosphere at Gardoussel, guests are asked to participate in tidying up after meals, on a rota basis. This is generally considered to be a plus rather than a chore - as it helps the group to get to know one another better.
Arrival is from 4pm on the first day, departure is after breakfast on the final day.
*Pricing
Accommodation (single room) is £495, including all meals and wine
Course cost is £300
Tutor
Lucy Wadham was born in London and lives in France. She is the author of three novels, 'Lost', 'Castro's Dream' and 'Greater Love' and a bestselling memoir, 'The Secret Life of France,' all published by Faber. ‘Heads and Straights,’ another memoir was published by Penguin in 2013. She is currently working on a TV script and her next novel.
Price includes all course tuition, accommodation and meals. Single rooms will be provided to all participants depending on availability unless otherwise requested.
EXTERNAL ATTENDEES:
Our local village of St Andre de Valborgne is just over 1km away, a gentle 20 mins walk along a quiet B-road. (A lift by car is also possible for anyone prefering not to walk). Accommodation is available at the following places (prices are approximative):
Auberge de la Vallee: http://www.restaurant-auberge-vallee-borgne.com
47€ single room - 57€ double/twin room - breakfast 6€
Hotel Bourgade: http://www.restaurant-bourgade.fr
rooms from 61€ - breakfast 7,50€
Cocon des Cevennes b&b: http://cocondescevennes.blogspot.fr
rooms at 75€ (2 people) including breakfast
If anyone has trouble booking, Sharon (see Contact) is happy to help.
Although we are not set up for camping (we have no bespoke camping facilities for example), as an exception we have decided to offer a 'wild camping' option on this retreat only. Pitch your own tent anywhere on our land (we have 45 acres of meadow and woodland) - taking your chances as most of it is not 100% flat - or on a flat grassy terrace we will clear for the purpose - and share rustic bathroom facilities (bath with shower head, wash basin: but the water's hot!) with our resident cook and massage therapist Frances who lives in a yurt. For the loo, you'll need to walk down to the main building to use the 'public' Gardoussel toilet - or pee in the woods, the choice is yours. This option costs £550 / week.
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