Online Writing Week: Non-Fiction | How to make real life leap off the page | Arvon
Online Writing Week: Non-Fiction
Book

Online Writing Week: Non-Fiction

How to make real life leap off the page
Tutors
  • Tiffany Murray
    Tiffany Murray
  • Wyl Menmuir
Date Monday March 3rd - Friday March 7th 2025
Location Online

Do you have a story to tell, based around your life and experiences, background and interests, but aren’t sure on how to make it leap off the page? Whether you’re at the point of having a few ideas that need developing, or you’re working on a project that’s already well underway, this is the course for you. Join award-winning writers Tiffany Murray and Wyl Menmuir for an online week of workshops and tutorials to help you develop the skills to tell your story well. Through supportive, inspirational and fun workshops, we will explore techniques to help you connect with readers, and to structure your thoughts into a narrative that’s more likely to grab the attention of agents and editors. We’ll play with the toolbox a writer needs: character, story, structure, time and place. We’ll look at ways of gathering material and mining your own experiences, as well as knotty issues of what to include and what to leave aside in the service of grabbing and keeping your reader. This course will give you skills to develop, encouragement and tools to carry on, and the motivation to finish.


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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