Writing Courses, Holidays & Retreats
in the UK
Welcome to our Creative Writing Retreat in spectacular York, UK
It’s possible to write anywhere, of course, but the pleasure of writing on a retreat lies in combining creative pursuits with the discovery of new friends, new places and new experiences. York is a spectacular city in the North East of England founded by the Romans in 71AD. It has a long and fascinating history, and a wealth of intriguing buildings and attractions to explore.
Sound appealing? Then join us for an experience of a lifetime at our creative writing retreat in York, UK.
Who joins our creative UK writing retreats?
Writers attending solo, or with family or friends. Beginners who have never written before, and novelists with manuscripts in the final stages. Writers wishing to focus entirely on their creative work, and others who combine our workshops with daily sightseeing tours.
Our retreat in York, UK is ideal even for people who have not traveled before, since the city is one direct train ride from the international airport at Manchester, and can be accessed directly from central London.
Whoever you are, wherever you live, you’re welcome.
Also check out our Writing Retreat in Mexico!
Join us for an experience of a lifetime at our urban creative writing retreat in Merida, Mexico.
Click here to see more information.
Creative Writing Retreats: Magical Moments in Merida!
Just about every day on our creative writing retreats is special – after all, retreats are not only a chance to learn, they are also full of new experiences and great memories. Writing retreats are holidays, too! But there are some days so magnificent that they take your breath away and feed your soul. Yesterday on our Mexico Creative Writing Retreat was one of those days. Writing Workshop We began in the morning with a workshop on five act structure. I hadn’t expected this to be quite so meaningful to so many of our writers, but we have several people [...]
Elmore Leonard: 10 Rules Of Writing
In July 2001, the crime fiction writer Elmore Leonard wrote a short piece for The New York Times on his ten rules for writing. This was eventually adapted into a book. I’ve shared his rules many times with writers on our retreats, so I thought it might be useful to outline them here. In the preface to his book, Leonard says: These are rules I’ve picked up along the way to help me remain invisible when I’m writing; to help me show rather than tell what’s taking place in the story. Now, here are his rules: Never open a book with [...]
An MFA in Creative Writing: Is It Worth It?
Read the bios of a dozen new fiction writers, and the chances are good that at least half will list among their credentials an MFA in Creative Writing. I completed my own MFA in Creative Writing through the University of British Columbia, and I’m often asked by my writing students: is a Masters in Creative Writing essential, if you want to see your work in print? Arguments Against an MFA in Creative Writing A Masters Degree is expensive and some writers might argue it would eat into the limited time they have available for writing. Many MFAs also require you to [...]
Historical Fiction Prompts for Writers
In our last blog, we looked at how online resources have transformed a writer's research process. So let's explore this idea with a creative writing prompt. Writing Prompt: Historical Fiction Write down a daily task or hobby that interests you. Now, choose a specific historic period and location. Come up with a close approximation of your interest that may fit with the period and location. Write down what you already think you know about that activity. Now, set a timer. Give yourself 15 minutes to research that specific activity online. Read everything you can about it. Look at illustrations. Become an [...]
