For memoirists, novelists and essayists, an immersive experience of Craft Talks, Writing in Company, and Live-Editing. Refine and deepen your work-in-progress, or generate new writing all week long. Writing craft lessons and suggested editing techniques ignite your daily practice. You’ll leave with new work, new ideas, and renewed commitment to your craft.
About this course:
This week focuses on identifying both your best and most problematic habits on the page. In daily craft lessons in sentence shape and rhythm, heart story, dramatic structure, powerful paragraphs, “quick fixes” and more, you’ll explore how language choices and sequence of action can snap “good enough” prose into gripping and dynamic moments. Unlike the traditional workshop, you’ll be using the tools in your own writing as we go. Discoveries made in live-editing, and techniques taught in craft lessons, will be immediately applied to your work.
In live-editing, instructors and participants work together to apply techniques of line-editing, sentence craft and scene construction to see where your prose is focused, energetic, and reader-centered and where it can be improved through purposeful revision. Each participant will receive individual editing attention, and we will all benefit from examining the varied work of other participants. Throughout live-editing time, you’ll apply specific techniques to your own work-in-progress.
Creative Writing Retreat – Programme Outline
Please note that the schedule that follows is tentative; the curriculum for this class is designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs and wishes of the participants.
Saturday
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
6.30 – Welcome drinks and dinner, with discussion of goals for the week to come
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 11.00 Craft Talk: Dramatic Arcs; Writing in Company
11.00 – 12.00 Live-Editing
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Scheduled one-on-one meetings; free time to write individually or with the
instructor and like-minded course participants
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Monday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 11.00 Craft Talk: Strong Scenes; Writing in Company
11.00 – 12.00 Live-Editing
1.00 – 2.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel & Publishing Paths Talk
2.30 – 5.00 Scheduled one-on-one meetings; free time to write individually or with the
instructor and like-minded course participants
6.30 – Tasting of local wines, followed by 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the
terrace
Tuesday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
9.30 – Depart for a day in the mountains: 2-hour hike with spectacular views and historic
stone circles (cromlechs), picnic lunch, and generative writing en plein air (bring your
notebook!) Transport provided. We will return at roughly 4.00pm.
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Wednesday – day off
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
Free time to explore Pau or beyond. The Clos Mirabel team is available to provide
suggestions and organize transport.
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Thursday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 11.00 Craft Talk: Beautiful Beginnings; Writing in Company
11.00 – 12.00 Live-Editing
1.00 – 2.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel & Finding Your Readers Talk
2.30 – 5.00 Scheduled one-on-one meetings; free time to write individually or with the
instructor and like-minded course participants
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Friday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 11.00 Craft Talk: Brilliant Endings; Writing in Company
11.00 – 12.00 Live-Editing
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Scheduled one-on-one meetings; free time to write individually or with the
instructor and like-minded course participants
6.30 – Reading Night: share your work over aperitifs and 4 course dinner in the Manor House
or on the terrace
Saturday – Buffet Breakfast and departure (Check-out 11am)
Non-painting guests: we are more than happy to welcome non-painting guests, accompanying partners, family or friends. There are plenty of activities to experience around Clos Mirabel, that will make your holiday unforgettable Click here for more information.
The Art Studio offers a spacious open plan layout of 75 m2. It is available at all times during your stay. Click here for more information.
