WRITERS' HUB

Your destination for writing tips and exercises from Arvon tutors, and writing opportunities from the literary community. You can join as an Arvon Friend, Writer, or 18-25 member to motivate you to keep writing with exclusive access to content.

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Become an Arvon Friend to get full access to tips and exercises from Arvon Tutors sent in a fortnightly email, plus priority booking on 2019 courses.

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Young writers can join Arvon 18-25 for half-price discounts on courses with late availability and signposting to young writers’ opportunities.

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TIPS & EXERCISES

Tips

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Become a Magpie

I was shopping in a supermarket recently and I overheard a conversation between an elderly male customer and a female member…

Christopher William Hill

All

Purposeful Dialogue

Dialogue doesn’t just happen. It is crafted to serve a purpose. So, don’t have your dialogue just sit there like a…

Kerry Young

All

Creating Dialogue with Purpose

Create a character. Imagine them in as much detail as you can. For example, in terms of their gender, age, race,…

Kerry Young

Tips

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Do It Yourself

So much of writing is focused on ‘getting published’ by someone else: a magazine, a newspaper or a publishing house.
If…

Joanna Walsh

More tips and exercises

The Stories We Tell

In our new blog series, The Stories We Tell, leading writers share with you some of the inspirations, challenges and discoveries that led to the writing of their own stories, novels and poems.

My Arvon Journey – Sarah Baylis

17 Aug 2021 / My Arvon Journey

Perhaps it all begins with the voice.
What I remember most clearly now is Mrs Jenkins reading to us from …

My Arvon Journey – Hannah Storm

14 Jul 2021 / My Arvon Journey

As a child I dreamt of being a writer, of travelling the world and telling stories. Journalism offered me the opportunity…

Tim Pears – The Stories We Tell

21 Jun 2021 / The Stories We Tell

Unsettled Weather
Out of conflicting pressures in the unsettled weather ever present in a writer’s head – in all…

My Arvon Journey – Tim Relf

10 May 2021 / My Arvon Journey

I first went on a residential Arvon course more than 25 years ago.
It was at Moniack Mhor, a remote farmhouse…

Grimm and Co are Now Hiring!

Our good friends Grimm and Co, masters at bringing literature alive for younger audiences are currently seeking people for three new roles; a Family Learning Specialist, an Outreach and Engagement Specialist, and a Creative Learning Manager. To learn more about these opportunities, please click on this post.

Applications for the Northern Short Story Academy 2021/2022 are now OPEN!

The Academy is a development programme aimed at helping and supporting short story writers, resident in any part of Yorkshire, who have already shown serious commitment to short story writing, and who want help and support to develop their work further. Over the last two years we have supported 18 such writers, could you be one of our next intake? Perhaps you have published a few stories already (in print or in online magazines) or had stories placed or longlisted in competitions. If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you!Successful applicants will participate in a monthly workshop critique group, where they will read and critique each other’s stories and if it is possible to take part in NSSF events in 2022.The programme will last six months from January-June 2022, led by writer and creative writing tutor Anna Chilvers. The meetings will take place in Leeds on a Monday evening, or on Zoom if face-to face meetings are not possible. Participants should be willing to meaningfully engage with others’ work by giving helpful and constructive critique. They should also be willing to accept critique and advice on their own work. This is a rare development opportunity for short story writers in the Yorkshire region. Places on the scheme will be limited and the deadline for submission is 30th September. For details on how to apply, please click this post.

NAWE’s Creative Writing in Education Conference 2022: Call for Proposals

Calling everyone who teaches, studies, or organises creative writing in education! Proposals for workshops, talks and panels exploring the theme of renewal and resilience in creative writing and teaching practice at all levels, and in all education and community settings, are invited for NAWE’s 2022 conference. Taking place virtually from 10th – 12th March 2022, NAWE 2022 will see a mix of curated strands programmed alongside contributions from NAWE members and non-members. Find out more by clicking on this post.Deadline for proposals: 1st November 2021

More opportunities

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