Successful Writers’ Retreat Weekend leads to plans for Creative Writing Day…
Back in April 2011 Chichester Copywriter’s Katy decided to expand her services and offer something to like-minded creatives looking to further their creative writing skills. Katy started by organising a Writers’ Retreat Weekend, combining some of the things that get her creative juices flowing at a location that inspires her to put pen to paper.
The first Writer’s Retreat (Cobnor, August 2011) was a great success and achieved some fantastic feedback from the eight guests that came along for the weekend. After enjoying a Writers’ Retreat with a difference, offering a blend of writing workshops, outdoor activities and relaxation in beautiful Chichester Harbour, they said of their experiences:
“A superb and inspiring weekend.”
“Going home feeling motivated and confident.”
“More of the same please Katy! Really enjoyable and inspirational- thank you.”
“I had the pleasure of working with Katy at the first Chichester Copywriter’s Retreat in 2011, where I was running a creative writing workshop for her group. Katy has a great passion for her chosen area of work, which was evident throughout the weekend retreat, when she provided her guests with a professional, creative, informative experience, in a wonderful setting. Highly recommended!” Isabel Ashdown, Author.
“I very much enjoyed attending the writers’ retreat that Katy recetly ran. I will be attending again.” Denyse Kirkby, Author.
With all these fabulous comments in mind, and a spring in her step, Katy is now planning a Creative Writing Day at Cobnor in November 2011, so…
How about a Creative Writing Day?
After Denise Bennett gave us such as beautiful sea-inspired poetry reading at the first Writers’ Retreat held at Cobnor Activities Centre in August, Chichester Copywriter has asked the award winning poet back on 12th November, 2011, to provide guests with a Creative Writing Day in the same inspiring setting.
Wordsmiths can enjoy a full day of creative writing workshops with Denise Bennett (Planting the Snow Queen, Oversteps Books, 2011) who has an MA in Creative Writing. Denise not only runs creative writing and poetry workshops in the Chichester and Portsmouth area but she is also secretary of Portsmouth Poetry Society.
The Creative Writing Day will consist of a number of taster workshops, such as:
Diamonds of the Dust Heap: A workshop designed to gather ideas, looking at: notebooks/journals/chapters of your life. Considering also spaces and places to write.
Opening Pandora’s Box: Please bring a small item to this session e.g. a glove, baby shoe, necklace or ornament. Who knows what story one item could lead us to?
How Are Poems Made? Looking at the structure of poetry: from form and language to rhyme and rhythm.
Gateways/Barriers/Doors: Using imagery as a starting point for a story or poem. We’ll start with an image and see where it takes us.
Arriving from 9.00 am, guests will have the chance to meet fellow wordsmiths and enjoy a coffee amidst the beautiful surroundings of Cobnor in Chichester Harbour. Workshops will begin at 9.30 and run throughout the day, allowing guests some time to enjoy free-writing. A place on the Creative Writing Day costs £65 per person, including lunch and refreshments, and is limited to just 12 people.
Please contact: Katy@ChichesterCopywriter.co.uk or call: 01243 533421 to find out more or book your place on the Creative Writing Day.
More about Writers’ Retreats
Here are some of the highlights from the last Writers’ Retreat. Chichester Copywriter is planning to run a second event in May or June 2012 and more details on this will follow soon.
- Pimm’s reception, networking and book signings with local writers and published authors
- How to Get Inspired to Write with Stewart Ferris (Unusual Character Names for Writers, Summersdale, eBook, 2010; How to Publish Your Own Book, Summersdale, 2008; How to be a Writer, Summersdale, 2005; How to Get Published, Summersdale 2005)
- The Enemy of Good Writing is Weak Specification: Creative Writing Workshop with Gabrielle Kimm (His Last Duchess, Sphere, 2010; The Courtesan’s Lover, Sphere, 2011)
- Changing Voices: Characterisation Workshop with Isabel Ashdown (Glasshopper, Myriad Editions, 2009; Hurry Up and Wait, Myriad Editions, 2011)
- Poetry Reading and Writer Talk with Denise Bennett (Planting the Snow Queen, Oversteps Books, 2011)
- Getting Published: Our Experiences. Writing and Publishing Panel Talk with Isabel Ashdown, Victoria Blunden (Fiction Editor, Myriad Editions), Gabrielle Kimm, Rebecca Saunders (Senior Editor of Women’s Fiction, Little, Brown) and Stewart Ferris
- TLC for Tools of the Trade: Complimentary hand massages to ensure your creative words flow freely on the page with Mary Atkinson (The Art of Indian Head Massage, Carlton, 2000, 2011; Hand and Foot Massage, Carlton, 2002, 2010; Healing Touch for Children, Gaia, 2009; A Practical Guide to Self Massage, Cico, 2005) and Lesley Brown.
- ‘Sea Dreams’: Exhibition of Paintings and Illustrations by Lorrie Whittington.
- Plenty of space to write either outside by the water or in the new classroom.
- Boat trip to East Head or Bosham to inspire your creative writing
- Informal kayaking with a qualified instructor
- Live music and marshmallows around the campfire
- Excellent food – including a BBQ and sumptuous cream tea
- Full accommodation: newly refurbished log cabins on the shoreline
- A relaxing massage with Clinical Aromatherapist Lesley Brown, using a blend of aromatherapy oils to aid creativity (£10-£20).
- A relaxing reiki treatment with Reiki Masters Quintin and Zena Macmorland, which can boost creativity and aid writers’ block (£10-£20).