Online Writing Week: Writing Relationships in Poetry | Wild and wondrous ways of writing love | Arvon
Online Writing Week: Writing Relationships in Poetry
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Online Writing Week: Writing Relationships in Poetry

Wild and wondrous ways of writing love
Tutors
  • Ella Frears
  • Shivanee Ramlochan
Guest Tutor
  • Daniel Sluman
Date Monday February 10th - Friday February 14th 2025
Location Online

‘call it a love song./i’ll get the bathtub ready.’
– Gboyega Odubanjo

‘Fuck, I’m Chamelions/about your lips, your sainted fingers’
– Kandace Siobhan Walker

‘Tell me how all this, and love too, will ruin us.’
– Richard Siken

Confess it – this season of love, you want something a little deeper. Something that stings, dazzles, sparks fire when you touch it – and you’re not so sure you’ll find it on Bumble. This Valentine’s, write into the sharp, fizzy centre of love with us, and pull new drafts of poems from the wastelands of your old situationships, the furtive pages of your teenage obsessions. From the romantic to the risqué, the racy to the reverent, we’ll read and discuss poems that make your eyes widen and your pulse race, then we’ll turn their transformative power towards your own shiny, not-safe-for-work drafts. Whether you’re writing a suite of sexy sonnets, ghazals to the ghosts of your lovers, or a long narrative adoration to a tree, all your love poems – about all inhabitations and stations of love – are welcome here. Be your own hurricane, your own moor-struck heroine, your own bloody beautiful valentine. Whether you’re completely new to poetry or have been writing love poems for decades – join us.


Is this course for me?

These courses are often attended by writers who:

• Want to commit time to their writing but life keeps getting in the way

• Want to set aside five days to focus on their writing

• Need the flexibility and accessibility of attending from their own space

• Would love one-to-one feedback from two professional writers

• Want a live, fully interactive experience with a group of no more than 14 writers

What will I gain?

• Daily interactive mornings workshops to propel your writing forward

• Two 25 minute one-to-one tutorials with experienced tutors

• Free passes to any webinar events happening elsewhere at Arvon at Home during your week with us including masterclasses (each worth £40)

• A reading and Q&A with your tutors

• Daily check-ins

• A group of creative peers who you may decide to keep in contact with after the course

• Support at all times from friendly Arvon hosts

• An inclusive and supportive environment in which to open up creatively

How does it work?

The week starts with an introductory session to get to know you and your writing, and the chance to meet the other writers in the group. Then each day there will be morning workshops designed to move you and your writing forward, and check-ins at the end of each day. You will also be offered one-to-one tutorials with each tutor + a free pass to all readings and masterclasses happening elsewhere at Arvon at Home.

All sessions are delivered live via Zoom meetings, with the option of cameras off or on. Groups are limited to 14 writers so the experience has a bespoke feel.

A more detailed timetable can be found below.

Why Arvon?

Arvon is a not-for-profit charity that has been running since 1968.

At Arvon, everyone who crosses the door of one of our writing houses is a writer – no matter what their age or writing experience – and all are welcome.

About Arvon – Home of Creative Writing since 1968 – Arvon

Online: £450

Concessions: £315

As part of our effort to increase participation in the arts, we offer limited concessionary places at a 30% reduction. You can select this option at checkout if available.

We are committed to making our Arvon at Home programme accessible to as many people as possible.

Across all of Arvon at Home

Online Writing Weeks 

Subject to funding/permissions (please contact arvonathome@arvon.org for more details)

If you have any access issues that we have not covered here, please contact us on access@arvon.org

See here for more access information.

Nothing short of transformative! I can't believe how much we packed into just a few days and how much impact it has had. I'm writing in new styles, new forms, new images, new rhythms!
— Writing Week Participant
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
Arvon courses are always so inclusive, supportive, fun, and instructive. There is something really magical and intimate about what happens during the week.
— Writing Week Participant

Monday

11.00–12.30 Everyone gathers online in Arvon’s Zoom Writing House. Your Arvon host will welcome you and the tutors. 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.

12.30–14.00 Lunch

14.00–16.00 First workshop with both tutors: Everyone meets online for the workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break

16.00–16.30 Break

16.30–17.30 Tutor readings: Both tutors read and speak about their work, followed by a Q&A hosted by your Arvon host.

Tuesday

10.00–12.30 Workshop: Everyone meets online for the morning workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break.

12.30–14.00 Lunch

14.00–16.00 Tutorials or Writing Time: Please keep this time pencilled in your diary. Over the course of the week you will have 2 x one-to-one tutorials lasting 25 minutes (one with each of your tutors). These will be allocated for you and sent to you a week before the course starts. If you do not have a tutorial, we encourage you to use this time to write.

16.00–16.30 Break

16.30–17.00 Closing session of the day

Wednesday

10.00–12.30 Workshop: Everyone meets online for the morning workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break.

12.30–14.00 Lunch

14.00–16.00 Tutorials or Writing Time: Please keep this time pencilled in your diary. Over the course of the week you will have 2 x one-to-one tutorials lasting 25 minutes (one with each of your tutors). These will be allocated for you and sent to you a week before the course starts. If you do not have a tutorial, we encourage you to use this time to write.

16.00–16.30 Break

16.30–17.00 Closing session of the day

+

19.15–20.15 (optional) The Arvon Wednesday ‘How I Write’ reading and Q&A — you get a free ticket to this, as well as access to the recording for a month afterwards.

Thursday

10.00–12.30 Workshop: Everyone meets online for the morning workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break.

12.30–14.00 Lunch

14.00–16.00 Tutorials or Writing Time: Please keep this time pencilled in your diary. Over the course of the week you will have 2 x one-to-one tutorials lasting 25 minutes (one with each of your tutors). These will be allocated for you and sent to you a week before the course starts. If you do not have a tutorial, we encourage you to use this time to write.

16.00–16.30 Break

16.30–17.00 Closing session of the day

Friday

10.00–12.30 Workshop: Everyone meets online for the morning workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break.

12.30–14.00 Lunch

14.00–16.00 Tutorials or Writing Time: Please keep this time pencilled in your diary. Over the course of the week you will have 2 x one-to-one tutorials lasting 25 minutes (one with each of your tutors). These will be allocated for you and sent to you a week before the course starts. If you do not have a tutorial, we encourage you to use this time to write.

16.00–16.30 Break

16.30–17.30 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...

Next steps: 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!

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