| 'Poetry Clinic Live!' with Bill Greenwell |
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Dates: Sat 16 – Sat 23 June 2018
Cost: £240 (course) + 580€ (accommodation and meals)
How is that poem doing? Is it finished? Should it be shorter? Longer? Is it missing something? Has it too much of something else? Might there be a better way of putting it? Might it be better with a different structure? Why is it like the way it is? Was that by accident? On purpose? And what was the purpose, by the way?
This is a week of looking – not for right answers, to these or any other questions, but at different possibilities. A week of creating ideas, and sharing the shaping and editing of them. Bill has been running his popular online Poetry Clinic for over ten years, challenging (in the nicest possible way) writers to see what they write differently – looking for the devils in the detail, as well as cheering on the success stories. Nearly a hundred poets have used Poetry Clinic, some of them several times, and many have gone on to be published – individual poems, pamphlets and collections – and to win major prizes. This is a chance to hone your editing skills, to discuss your writing with others and with Bill, and to share with others the solutions you come up with. Your poems will emerge fitter and finer – maybe leaner, maybe more robust…
During the week there will be a mixture of group sessions, small group sessions and individual sessions. Bring some examples of what you’ve written, and expect to leave with more. It will be quite intense, but a lot of fun.
It will be helpful to bring a USB memory stick (flash drive), and you will have some access to wifi and a printer. Bring 4 copies of any poem you are happy to work on, and bring about ten poems – more if you like.
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
Course cost is £240
Accommodation (twin room), meals & wine is 580€ (single room supplements 150€)
Tutor
UK writer Bill Greenwell was one of the Open University’s creative writing staff when they developed their creative writing provision, and co-wrote two of their creative writing courses. As a poet, he has published four books, one of which was shortlisted for a Forward Prize (best first collection) and two of which contain many examples of the parodies and poems he has contributed over forty years to New Statesman, The Spectator and many other magazines. He has won major prizes from outlets as various as the Mail on Sunday and Magma, and has won prizes in several major UK competitions, including the Kent and Sussex, Troubadour and Wigtown competitions. He writes in a wide variety of styles. He has been teaching creative writing since 1975.
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