Arvon runs an annual programme of creative writing courses and retreats for schools, groups and individuals. Our courses, tutored by leading authors, are held at three rural centres and include a powerful mix of workshops and individual tutorials, with time and space to write, free from distractions of everyday life. Arvon courses are in a range of genres and we have different styles of courses. Grants are available to help with course fees.
Nov 18-23
The Hurst
Non-Fiction
Finding the heart of your non-fiction story
Nov 18-23
Lumb Bank
Fiction
Stuck in the middle
Nov 25-30
The Hurst
Poetry
Experiencing poems
Nov 26
Online 09.30am
Fiction
In-depth feedback on your fiction work-in-progress
Dec 2-7
The Hurst
Fiction
Reignite and refresh your writing
Dec 2-7
Lumb Bank
Poetry
New ways into poems
Dec 2-7
Totleigh Barton
Non-Fiction
Turning family stories into powerful, universal narratives
Dec 2
Online 10.00am
Non-Fiction
In-depth feedback on your non-fiction work-in-progress
Every time I’ve taught at Arvon - going back over fifteen years now - I’ve seen how much difference just a handful of days can make in the life of writers. There’s a perfect mix of tutorials, writing time, socializing, and discussion - all those elements come together to create an atmosphere in which writing projects move in that longed-for but often unattainable direction: forward.
— Kamila Shamsie
Exercises
Fiction
Whenever you write a scene it’s a good idea to rewrite it – perhaps in note form – using a different…
Tips
Poetry
Each line must carry at least one unit of sense either in the line itself or across several lines.
To make…
Tips
Non-Fiction & Life Writing
Objects have immense power to help us to tell stories.
I have found that an entire storyline can be found in…
Exercises
Film & TV
PART ONE: Documentary or Research Exercise for Screenwriters
Using a still camera and or a tape recorder (or video recorder), follow…
Tips
Writing for Children & YA
After the giddy rush of a first draft, how you edit and refine your work is of equal, if not more…
Exercises
All
,Writing for Children & YA
Start with a scenario – this might be a random picture, a very short scene from a novel, a few lines…
Tips
Fiction
Before you begin to write your story ask yourself what is it about, what do you want it to say, what…
Exercises
Fiction
Think about your favourite novel or short story, or if not your favourite, then the novel or short story you are…
01 Nov 2019 / Uncategorized
This is a question that anyone reading this has surely asked themselves. For me some days I’m a writer, other days…
Read more18 Oct 2019 / The Stories We Tell
Beginning With A Line
The Northern Irish poet Michael Longley once said, ‘If I knew where poems came from,…
01 Oct 2019 / The Stories We Tell
These Things I Know
During my career I have often felt like the snail overtaken by many hares. I…
27 Aug 2019 / General
If anyone has bought an item from the Totleigh Barton gift shop, firstly, thank you! We hope you are enjoying your…
Read moreDo you believe that everyone should have the opportunity to unlock their creative potential?
We believe that everyone deserves the freedom to imagine, write and explore ideas regardless of their age or financial background.
We offer residential weeks for schools, young people and adult groups.
Our weeks for schools and groups follow the same pattern as our adult course programme – led by two professional writers, with tutorials, group workshops, and time and space to write.
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