May 6-11
Totleigh Barton
Residential Writing Week: Non-Fiction
Vital natures
‘This is a reason to write essays –’ the poet, novelist and memoirist Patricia Lockwood wrote recently, ‘during the period of composition the world does nothing but gives you gifts.’ To write from life is to become attentive to the rhythms of the world as you move through it, to draw out the patterns, and in doing so to start to know yourself and your place in relation to the earth and those around you a little better.
On this residential course, award-winning writers Lamorna Ash and Paul Farley will teach you how to transform such gifts and rhythms and patterns into writing. For this we will take an interdisciplinary approach, moving between prose and poetry to explore the vast possibilities of life writing as a genre.
Through inspiring group workshops and 1-2-1 tutorials, you will gain an understanding of different forms and styles for your writing. You will explore the work of memoirists and essayists, like Joan Didion, Kiese Laymon, Annie Ernaux and Annie Dillard, to consider the many forms life writing can take, how each new work demands its own particular form and style to hold the subject matter.
As part of our exciting new Arvon North programme, we are offering Arvon retreats and live events in Hebden Bridge as we prepare for the redevelopment of Lumb Bank. Working with our partners at IOU Hostel in Hebden Bridge we will be offering the Arvon experience in a brand new setting. Our Arvon takeover will include exclusive use of the 14 bedroom hostel with workshop, tutorial and quiet writing space (inside and out) in a magical woodland setting at the heart of the one of Yorkshire’s most creative and inspiring towns.
The course will be hosted by the team from Arvon’s Lumb Bank and is fully catered (no group cooking), all food is vegetarian. All rooms are single occupancy with an en-suite, and the hostel is located within Hebden Bridge.
Tutor
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Lamorna Ash is a writer and editor at Weatherglass Books. Her first book, Dark, Salt, Clear: Life in a Cornish…
Tutor
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Paul Farley is a poet, writer and broadcaster. Acclaim for his work includes the Whitbread Poetry Prize, Somerset Maugham Award, and…
Guest
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Amanda Thomson is a writer and visual artist who lives and works in Strathspey (in the Scottish Highlands) and Glasgow and…
Single en-suite room, fully catered: £895
Limited concessions: £626.50
If concessions are available, they will show at checkout.
The Hostel is fully accessible with a disabled car park and step free access to the Hostel door. On the ground floor is an accessible toilet as well as a double accessible bedroom with full ensuite facilities. If you have any questions or concerns before booking, please contact lumbbank@arvon.org.
General Access Information for Residential Writing Weeks:
Available on all courses for those who are Deaf, Partially Deaf or who have significant hearing loss
We provide BSL interpreters on some courses. If you require this please check whether the course you are interested in offers this facility. Or get in touch on our dedicated access email: access@arvon.org
Available on all courses for those who are blind, partially sighted or who have significant sight loss
Available on all courses for those who have Dyslexia
There’s no need to worry about spelling, grammar or handwriting on our courses, the focus is on creativity.
Available on all courses to those who identify as Neuro Divergent
Arvon is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment to all.
If you need to take some time out to rest, or be alone, you’re welcome to do so. Participation in any activity is entirely at your discretion.
Monday
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Arrive at lunchtime, afternoon workshop, dinner.
Tuesday
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Morning workshop, one to one tutorials and time to write in the afternoon, dinner and tutor readings in the evening.
Wednesday
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Morning workshop, one to one tutorials and time to write in the afternoon, dinner, reading and Q&A with guest in the evening.
Thursday
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Morning workshop, one to one tutorials and time to write in the afternoon, after dinner group celebratory readings.
Friday
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Depart after breakfast by 10am.
Monday
1-2pm – Arrive for buffet/sandwich lunch
2.30pm – Welcome talk
3-6pm – Workshop
6.30pm – Dinner
Tuesday
10-1pm – Workshop
1-2pm – Lunch
2.30-5pm – Tutorials/Time to write
6.30pm – Dinner
8-9pm – Tutor readings
Wednesday
10-1pm – Workshop
1-2pm – Lunch
2.30-5pm – Tutorials/Time to write
6.30pm – Dinner
8-9pm – Guest reading
Thursday
10-1pm – Workshop
1-2pm – Lunch
2.30-5pm– Tutorials/Time to write
6.30pm – Dinner
8-9.30pm – Celebratory group reading
Friday
Departures by 10am
Time to explore Hebden Bridge before heading home.
Writers might want to consider staying on at IOU Hostel, bookable direct with the hostel.