Jan 28
Online
Fiction
,Poetry
,Starting to Write
,Children & YA
,Non-Fiction
,Other
Arvon at Home Masterclass: The Organised Writer
Zoom masterclass with Antony Johnston

Mining personal histories
Monday June 15th - Friday June 19th 2020
Online
In this exciting online poetry writing week we will focus on the enjoyment of making new poems, both by mining personal histories and pushing our subject matter in new directions.
Welcoming and encouraging for both new and experienced poets, there will be opportunities for a whole group dynamic to emerge, alongside small group work and one to one feedback. Quiet personal time will also be encouraged.
We will share in advance a stimulating variety of accessible contemporary poems, and focusing on the vital elements of imagery and music, we will discover exciting ways to rethink our past and find new language to capture our contemporary moment.
We’ll help you to make ‘Arvon at Home’, turning your own place into a writing cocoon, capturing the transformative power of our acclaimed Arvon residential courses: two brilliant author-tutors at your service, a caring and sharing group, the time and space to devote to your writing, invaluable feedback, new writing pals, and the unique creative progress that happens in a dedicated week.
You will be offered the best of a classic Arvon residential week, with a few virtual tweaks. Spot the difference: a carefully balanced combination of tips to help you focus, daily morning workshops, one-to-one tutorials with both tutors, three evening get-togethers to chat about the day’s work, a mid-week guest reading offer, the celebratory Friday-evening collective reading, and lots of time and encouragement for you to write every day. You will receive a free ticket to our Wednesday evening Live Guest Reading with Kamila Shamsie.
All gatherings, one-to-one or group, will be delivered via our own Arvon Zoom, so you’ll need to have a reliable internet connection. Your Arvon Centre host will be on call to offer support as you need it, including any help you may need with your computer set-up.
To participate, and to get the most out of the week, you’ll need to turn up online for all planned morning sessions, Monday to Friday. You should also set aside your afternoons for tutorials and independent writing time. Last but not least, we urge you to read your tutors’ published work before the week starts.
Dates: Monday 15 June 5pm — Friday 19 June 9pm
Cost: £350
If you have any questions about how the week works, or are on a low income and would like to apply for a grant to reduce the course fee please contact communications@arvon.org (grants are limited to four places).
I had the chance to speak with two well respected tutors about my work. Being able to do this in one-to-one tutorials was excellent and not reduced in any way by being on Zoom. A good chance for some very good advice. I am now determined to set to work on my writing.
—Writing Week Participant
What a lovely week—worked so well. It’s not the Hurst, but something different and equally special.
—Writing Week Participant
Monday
5pm—7pm: Everyone gathers online in Arvon’s Zoom Writing House. The Arvon Centre Director will welcome you and the tutors, giving you an overview of the week, technology support, and some ideas for making your writing ‘cocoon’. You’ll get to meet everyone, ask questions, and settle in. Your tutors will ask you to start thinking about your writing, perhaps setting an exercise. There’s likely to be some homework for tomorrow morning
Tuesday
10am—1pm: Everyone meets online for the morning workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and comfort breaks.
2pm—5.30pm: One-to-one tutorials lasting about 20 minutes each. You have one tutorial with each tutor during the week; the rest of the afternoon is your time to think and write.
6pm—7pm: Informal evening get-together (optional). This is a chance to discuss the day’s work, any writing issues, what you’re drinking/eating, and anything else that springs to mind.
Wednesday
The timing is just like yesterday…
10am—1pm: morning workshop
2pm—5.30pm: afternoon one-to-one tutorials
6pm—7pm: evening group get-together (optional)
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7.15pm: The Arvon Wednesday Live Guest Reading—you get a free ticket to this.
Thursday
10am—1pm: morning workshop
2pm—5.30pm: afternoon one-to-one tutorials
6pm—7pm: evening group get-together (optional)
Friday
10am—1pm: morning workshop
2pm—5.30pm: afternoon tutorials
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7pm—9pm: Friday evening culminates with a celebratory reading where you have the chance to share some of your new writing. Expect laughter, tears and a huge sense of pride for all you have learned, written and achieved this week. There’ll be plenty of virtual hugs.
And then...
The week doesn’t stop here. You now have a writing community. Stay in touch. Share your work with each other, and take it forward.