The short story can be the most potent of fictional forms. In this course you will learn how a writer can turn a few ideas scribbled on a scrap of paper into a full-blown piece of short fiction, while examining essential dimensions including character, plot, setting and dialogue, and how to come up with intriguing openings and extraordinary endings. You will explore work by writers who have recognised the possibilities that this form can open for them: the great scope and variety of what a short fiction writer might do, from first draft to full collection.
You will be guided through a supportive week of workshops and tutorials by David Gaffney and K J Orr – two writers with great love for the short form – and you will have the chance to pick up tips on reading aloud, how to improve your performance skills, and publication opportunities for short fiction. Full of practical and stimulating exercises, this course aims to take your short story writing to another level.
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 of writing.
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 workshops, one-to-one tutorials with both tutors, get-togethers to chat about the day’s work, a mid-week guest reading offer, the celebratory Friday collective reading, and lots of time and encouragement for you to write every day.
All gatherings, one-to-one or group, will be delivered via Zoom, so you’ll need to have a reliable internet connection. Your Arvon host will 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 sessions, Monday to Friday. Last but not least, we urge you to read your tutors’ published work before the week starts.
See below for a detailed timetable of the week.
Tutor
—
—
David Gaffney lives in Manchester. He is a writer with a specialism in short stories, particularly micro-fiction. He has published widely…
Tutor
—
—
K J Orr’s short stories have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4, commissioned, anthologised, translated, and adapted for film. Light…
Guest
—
—
The guest tutor is yet to be confirmed . . . watch this space!
…
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
Masterclasses and Online Writing Day
How I Write
Online Writing Weeks / Weekends
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
11.30–13.00 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.
13.00–14.00 Lunch
14.00–16.30 Quickfire tutorials (both tutors will be in one Zoom room – you will be allocated a 7 min slot to drop in and give a quick intro about yourself and your writing)
16.30–17.00 Break
17.00–17.30 The closing session of the day, the theme of which will be decided nearer the time by your tutors
Tuesday
9.30–11 Morning Workshop: Everyone meets online for the morning workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break.
11–11.30 Break
11.30–12.30 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.
12.30–13.30 Lunch
13.30–15.00 Afternoon Workshop: Everyone meets online for the afternoon workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break
15.00–15.30 Break
15.30–16.30 Tutorials or Writing Time
16.30–17.00 Break
17.00–17.45 Tutor readings: Both tutors read and speak about their work, followed by a Q&A hosted by your Arvon host.
Wednesday
9.30–11 Morning Workshop: Everyone meets online for the morning workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break.
11–11.30 Break
11.30–12.30 Tutorials or Writing Time
12.30–13.30 Lunch
13.30–15.00 Afternoon Workshop: Everyone meets online for the afternoon workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break
15.00–15.30 Break
15.30–16.30 Tutorials or Writing Time
+
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
9.30–11 Morning Workshop: Everyone meets online for the morning workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break.
11–11.30 Break
11.30–12.30 Tutorials or Writing Time
12.30–13.30 Lunch
13.30–15.00 Afternoon Workshop: Everyone meets online for the afternoon workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break
15.00–15.30 Break
15.30–16.30 Tutorials or Writing Time
Friday
9.30–11 Morning Workshop: Everyone meets online for the morning workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break.
11–11.30 Break
11.30–12.30 Tutorials or Writing Time
12.30–13.30 Lunch
13.30–15.00 Afternoon Workshop: Everyone meets online for the afternoon workshop, which includes writing exercises, discussion and a comfort break
15.00–15.30 Break
15.30–17.00 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!
Sep 25-30
Totleigh Barton
Transforming the everyday
Sep 25-30
Lumb Bank
Cross the finish line (and make your novel shine)
Oct 2-7
Totleigh Barton
Finding your voice
Oct 9-14
The Hurst
Nurture the writer waiting inside
Oct 9-Nov 6
Online
How to spark and sustain a novel for teens
Oct 16-20
Online
Characterising real people
Oct 20
Online
Making crime pay
Oct 23-28
Lumb Bank
The gift of writing
