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.
Oct 21-26
The Hurst
Starting to Write
Turning inspiration and ideas into stories and poems
Oct 28-Nov 2
Totleigh Barton
Fiction
Haunting your text
Oct 29
Online 10.00am
Fiction
In-depth feedback on your fiction work-in-progress
Nov 1-3
Lumb Bank
Fiction
,Poetry
,Other
Short course for teachers plus CPD Day
Nov 4-9
Lumb Bank
Poetry
Developing a personal poetics
Nov 11-16
The Hurst
Screenwriting
How to strengthen, shape and sell your screenplay
Nov 11-16
Totleigh Barton
Other
Navigating your way from manuscript to book deal
Nov 15-17
Lumb Bank
Fiction
,Poetry
,Other
Short course for teachers plus CPD day
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 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 more18 Jul 2019 / News
Iris/pupil
With my eyes shut it could be easy
to believe I am white-stick blind,
hidden in the…
18 Jul 2019 / News
Lonely
You’re lying close enough
that your eyes are black liquid stars
and I can count the constellations…
Do 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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