Just wondered what people thought of these residential courses?
Elsie

PS I think I've put this in the wrong part of the forum, but the New Topic buttons ahve disappeared from elsewhere (on my work pc anyway). Sorry David!

Elsie, they've got a really got reputation- they're subsidised and often Arts Council funded and have really amazing tutors like Beryl Bainbridge and Sue Townsend, etc. So they are most definitely kosher, very high standard, and set in beautiful places I think.

Elsie,
I went on a 'Starting to Write' course at Lumb bank and found it brilliant. The tutors were Patricia Duncker who teaches on the UEA creative writing MA and Tobias Hill.

It was very intensive with writing exercises in the morning, private writing time in the afternoon and readings from tutors and students in the evening as well as a reading from a guest writer.

The atmosphere very stimulating and it was an utter luxury to be able to think about nothing else but writing for a week.

One drawback was having to take turns to cook and clear up -- ok, but I was hoping to get away from that sort of thing!

I really recommend it.

Amnesia.

Elsie -

I haven't been on one, but I have heard from others that they are VERY good, and I plan to go on one myself in another year. This year I am going to the Writers' Holiday at Aberystwyth! (It's my first!)

Ani

Yes, they are very good, but I have to say that I didn't much enjoy the one I went on (for poetry, in the Devon site) a few years ago. When I left, I felt quite depressed about being able to write at all - but I think the tutors weren't the right ones for me, to be honest - but I know others of my friends who were on the same course loved it.

Being a Class 1 wimp, I wasn't helped by my absolute terror of spiders (and there were loads ...) and I missed my husband like crazy. The solitude of the country was spooky too - we had a half day on the Wednesday for "writing and thinking" - but I went to the shops!!!

I know, Pathetic Woman strikes again!!! And I know my reactions were very unusual, and everyone else in the world finds Arvon wonderful. If only they were in a town and commutable!...

Anne B

))

I knew I had seen a thead about this somewhere! I've had a look at the Arvon site and their courses look good.

I have also looked at Skyros Holistic Holidays who run creative writing courses in Greece. I wondered if anyone had heard of them, and if so what they thought.

Cas

I have actually got a brochure for Skyros, but I don't think I'll go for it, in spite of the location, because I somehow get the feeling that it isn't so much a writing thing as an everything - they do so many different courses! I could very well be wrong, of course. I also think Skyros is quite dear. Arvon is something like £450, and the programme I am participating in this summer is like £350 - and all the meals are prepared for us! (I suppose food isn't supposed to be a top consideration. Oh well!)

Ani

Wow, what a lot of feedback! I'm thinking very seriously of doing it, (If it's not booked) and I'm not sure whether to go for starting to write or novel writing. I think I'll bite the bullet tomorrow. Maybe I'll check out Skyros too.

I did an Arvon Foundation course in 1976. I think it's long enough ago to admit now that the competition I won to get a place there was rigged: my mate ran the Arts Centre in Burnley and said he'd let me win if I'd fix something up for him in return (which is not long enough ago to talk about just yet). I remember sharing a room with a long-winded Liverpudlian, and having to cook one night (I think I did a spam caserole). One of the course tutors was Stan Barstow. I sneaked out on the second day at lunchtime, to the pub, and found Stan there. We had some good chats during which he actually gave me some great writing tips. At the time, though, I was generally too young to appreciate the course - I didn't think I had anything to learn back then. I do remember that at the end of the course, we all had to read out some of what we'd been writing during the week. There was a lady present in her 70s, who'd never written before and had spent the week writing about her life as a maid - it was an absolutely stunning piece of story-telling and she said it would not have been possible without the supportive environment and the time to actually do it.

It might very much depend on who is heading the course. I smiled at the idea of Patricia Duncker at Lumb Bank, and can imagine Amnesia having a good time there. Duncker is so funny actually, and very imposing.
Becca.

Becca,
I found Patricia completely and utterly wonderful, and very encouraging. And such an intelligent generous person too.
Amnesia.
x

Amnesia, she is, I have known her since she was probably around 25. A lovely woman. I'd question her short story writing though!
Becca.

<Added>

And Lumb Bank where Ted and Sylvia lived, that must have been something else!

Lumb Bank is a dream setting for a writing break (if that’s the right way to describe it) The place is set high on a hill with immense views. The surrounding countryside includes Hardcastle Crags, a beautiful wooded valley just ten minutes walk away). And, of course, Sylvia’s grave is just down the road in Heptonstall graveyard. The place is steeped in history and mystery and it’s only ten minutes in the car from here!

We briefly talked about the Arvon Foundation at the local writers’ circle last night and several members had been on courses at Lumb Bank and were all very enthusiastic about the organisation.

If anyone comes to Lumb Bank it would be great to meet up at a local hostelry.

Cheers
Dee.