CREATIVE WRITING WEEK - 23-30th March 2008

• WHAT THE WEEK IS ABOUT
   
  On this creative writing course students will learn the essential elements of good fiction, including: narrative structure, character, point of view, dialogue, description and style.
   
  Students will also have the opportunity to discuss their own work in guided group sessions and to receive individual advice from the writing tutor.

The tutor for this course will be Helen Falconer, established creative writing teacher and published author (Primrose Hill and Sky High, both with Faber and Faber).
 

• WHAT THE WEEKEND INCLUDES
  
  
  • 7 nights accommodation in simple but tasteful surroundings
  • all tutoring and all excursions
  • all meals including all wine
  • all transport to and from the airport and on all excursions
  • small intimate course, limited to 6 people

• HOW MUCH THE WEEKEND COSTS - 1350 euros (excluding flights)
   
  
• ITINERARY
   
  DAY 1 Sunday - pick-up from Carcassonne at 9.50am; straight onto the openair foodie market of St Chinian; an aperitif on the centre-village terrace to absorb the 'cosmopolitan buzz', then via the picturesque village of Roquebrun onto the Gorge d'Heric for a picnic. For those who feel like it, a (gentle) hike up to the gorges of the Orb river is a must; home to settle in, then home for our first dinner.
   
  DAY 2 Monday - breakfast; morning workshop on the creation, introduction and development of character followed by an opportunity for individual consultation with the tutor; lunch; time to relax, absorb the surroundings and write; in the evening, a guided group discussion of students' work followed by a leisurely dinner.

DAY 3 Tuesday - breakfast; workshop on structure and the fundamentals of plot; individual consultations; lunch; group excursion with time to be inspired and write; guided group discussion; dinner.
 
DAY 4 Wednesday - breakfast; workshop on how to develop a consistent narrative voice and point of view; individual consultations; lunch; stroll along the Canal du Midi (perhaps picking wild asparagus, rocket and other wild herbs for use in tonight's dinner) followed by time to relax and write; guided group discussion; dinner.
 
DAY 5 Thursday - breakfast; workshop on "show and tell", story telling, description and dialogue; individual consultations; lunch; time to relax and write (or take a walk among the surrounding vineyards to consult the muse); guided group discussion; dinner at home.

DAY 6 Friday - breakfast; workshop on style and rewriting; individual consultations; lunch; time to relax and write (with an option of excursion to a bee keeper or wine maker); guided group discussion; dinner.
 
DAY 7 Saturday - is a day off to do whatever you like; we can arrange to drop guests off in the centre of Beziers for shopping and sightseeing. Or at Beziers station for a day-trip to Montpellier (we can collect in the evening from Beziers station). Alternatively guests can pool together and rent a car (taxis are not expensive either) to visit a beach, visit the medieval city of Carcassonne or just lounge around the pool; our final dinner is at home.
 
DAY 8 Sunday - after an early breakfast, an 8 o'clock departure for Carcassonne airport for the flight home...
 

Praise for Helen Falconer as an author:

"In a word, brilliant." - Alan Stillitoe
"She writes with astonishing wit and authenticity." - Joanne Harris
 
Praise for Helen Falconer as a creative writing teacher:

"Helen's insight and knowledge of writing technique makes her a remarkable teacher. As an experienced writer, I have benefited hugely from her course, yet she is also an inclusive, sensitive tutor to the anxious beginner." - Best-selling novelist Morag Prunty (Kate Kerrigan).
 
"Helen Falconer can unlock the writer within anyone. Highly recommended." - Arts Officer Sean Walsh
 
"Having always thought as a reader, Helen's course enabled me for the first time ever to think as a writer." - School Principal Joan King
 

 
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