Residential Writing Course: Finish Your Novel

You’ve been working on your novel and you’re nearing ‘The End’ – need a final push to help get you there? Or perhaps you feel like you’re all done – curious about what might happen next with your finished text? On this course, novelist and critic Michael Donkor and author and editor Kate Murray-Browne will guide you through the drafting and editing processes, with the aim of helping you develop your manuscript to get it into the best possible shape.

We’ll consider the path from rough draft to polished manuscript to potentially published book. Along the way, we’ll explore the building blocks of structural and line editing, how to edit yourself and others, and what to expect from the publication process. In collaborative workshops and 1:1 sessions, you’ll learn how to strengthen character arcs, refine plotting and pacing, and create a gripping opening and a rewarding ending. You’ll also learn about life on the other side of the manuscript: how to collaborate with other writers and become each other’s editors, and how to get the most out of working with a professional editor.

This is a course for writers with some experience. Maybe you have a work in progress that’s close to completion and you’re keen to know more about the next stage. Maybe you have a first draft that desperately needs reworking. Perhaps you’re several drafts in and feel like this should be the final one. Whatever stage you’re at, this course will give you confidence and enthusiasm to tackle your next challenges and leave with the finish line clearly in sight.

*Please use the expandable links below to reveal timings and further details of the course schedule.

Room with indoor shared bathroom: £980

Room with shared bathroom accessed via outdoor covered pathway: £915

Concessions: Room with indoor shared bathroom £686

Concessions: Room with shared bathroom accessed via outdoor covered pathway £640.50

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.

What your course fee covers:

Tutoring: Four morning group workshops, with inspiring writing exercises to kick-start your creativity, plus two 1:1 tutorials, one with each tutor, focusing on your own work. Our tutors are some of the leading writers at work today, and in addition to formal workshops and tutorials you will share meals with them and have opportunities for more casual conversation. During evening readings, you’ll hear your tutors – and a guest speaker on Wednesday evening – share their work and answer your questions, from the secrets of their craft to the practicalities of life as a writer.

Your accommodation: A week in a grade II listed thatched Devon manor house in beautiful, peaceful west Devon.

All meals:  We hand over our well-stocked and welcoming kitchen to you, offering a fresh, tasty seasonal menu prepared from local ingredients where possible (with dietary requests catered for), as well as a cream tea on arrival and a constant supply of coffees, teas, and home-baked cakes throughout your stay.

Time and space to write: an opportunity to step away from the distractions of everyday life and focus solely on your creativity.

A community of writers: our writing weeks have a relaxed and sociable atmosphere and offer the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded people. Many of the writers who attend our residentials stay in touch and continue to share work and support one another’s writing journeys – sometimes even decades later.

Support for our charitable activity: Arvon is a charity, and each year over 40 of our courses are with vulnerable groups and schools, from young people who have experienced bullying to adults recovering from an addiction. Your course fee helps to support groups who would otherwise not have the opportunity to access our transformational courses.

Physical Access at Totleigh Barton:

We do not currently recommend this house if you are a wheelchair user. Totleigh Barton is a sixteenth-Century manor house and has many steps and tight corners. In the future we hope to redevelop the property to provide level access. For additional detailed information on physical access in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, dining, shared spaces and the grounds please visit our dedicated access page.

Please see our access page for general access information for residential courses.

Our grants scheme may be able to cover a portion of your course fees. Disability costs and additional living/support costs are taken into account when considering your grant application. You may also be entitled to concession pricing on selected courses.

If you have any questions or concerns and want to chat to a member of staff prior to booking please contact us on access@arvon.org

Totleigh Barton, the first ever Arvon centre, is a 16th-century manor house in one of the most peaceful and idyllic parts of Devon.

Totleigh Barton is a thatched manor house with single occupancy rooms and shared bathrooms. The house offers many comfortable lounge and spaces to relax and write throughout the house and a renovated barn offers a comfortable space for evening readings. Mobile and Wi-Fi signal is limited. We invite you to think of a retreat to this beautiful old house as a full ‘digital detox’ – a chance to make real progress with your writing with no distractions.

All your meals are provided, locally and sustainably sourced wherever possible. Help yourself to breakfast, our team will prepare lunch, and dinner is prepared in groups each evening using the delicious recipes and ingredients provided.

Totleigh Barton lies two miles from the village of Sheepwash, with walks along the River Torridge nearby. There is a beautiful and productive garden and quiet spaces on-site for writing.

See here for more information on Totleigh Barton.