If writing your novel sometimes feels like you’ve hit a wall, then this retreat is for you. Maybe you feel stuck, but you’re determined to carry on. Maybe you’re so overwhelmed that you’re wondering if you want to carry on at all. Maybe you want some strategies for working through the block the next time you hit a sticky patch with your writing. If any of those sound familiar, then this retreat, which is completely tailored to the needs to of the writers attending, is for you.
Arrive Monday, leave Friday. Workshops and tutorials throughout the week. Writing time galore! Own cosy room, with lovely bedding, towels, tea and coffee making facilities, and writing desk in every room. All food and hot drinks, snacks, cake (!), and wine at supper, provided. Gorgeous 1600s thatched house in quaint North Devon village with mini home gym, great broadband and fabulous beds. No chores! Just reams of me-time, countryside walks and spending time in like-minded company.
Tutor – Novelist, freelance editor and experience writing tutor, Alison May
Cost – £719 per person (supplements for ensuite bedrooms, please ask), includes a one-to-one and follow up.
£125 deposit is required to secure your booking. (There will be a waiting list if over-subscribed). Balance payable when we invoice you about 6-8 weeks beforehand. In case of postponement, you can transfer your deposit to the next retreat no problem. (NB the ensuite bedrooms usually go first).
Break through your novel writing block
Writing a novel is a long and, often, solitary process, and whether you’re at the beginnings of a new idea, part way through your first draft or trying to self-edit your work, it’s completely normal to feel like you need a helping hand to get unstuck and make sure you’re moving in the right direction. This retreat will help you to do that. Alison specialises in working with developing novelists at all stages of the process, and welcomes writers at all levels of experience. This retreat will be tailored to the needs of the writers who attend.
Alison will be offering group workshops, one-to-one tutorials and will be on hand right through the week to talk about your writing and to offer feedback on your ideas and work-in-progress. Unusually, Alison doesn’t set the workshop topics in advance for this retreat- the choice of subjects will be based on what you, the writers who sign-up for the retreat, want and need. Past workshops have included Editing Your Novel, Developing Characters, Structuring Your Novel, Character Arc, Techniques to Improve Productivity. If there’s something you really want a session on, just let us know. All the workshops will be tailored to your needs.
Your week will include
– group workshops
– at least one individual tutorial for each attendee
– chance to chat to Alison informally as and when you need to
– a Q&A on the business side of publishing: getting published, working with an agent, and anything else you want to ask
– lots and lots of time to write
MONDAY:
Arrive 2pm and settle in to your own room before pre-dinner introductions over afternoon tea. Tell us all what you are writing and set your goals for the week.
After dinner we’ll gather around the log-burner in the sitting room and spend some time thinking about who we are as *writers and who we want to be.
TUESDAY:
Morning: Writing time and one to ones with Alison.
Writing Time and lunch.
Afternoon: Writing time and one to ones with Alison.
After dinner discussion: Writing motivation – how to find it, and how to hold on to it.
WEDNESDAY:
Morning: Group workshop – topic to be decided based on what you want/need.
Writing time, chance to talk to Alison one-to-one, and lunch.
Afternoon: Possible further workshop, writing time, chance to talk to Alison one-to-one.
After dinner discussion: Ask all your questions about publishing.
THURSDAY:
Morning: Group workshop – topic to be decided based on what you want/need.
Writing time, chance to talk to Alison one-to-one, and lunch.
Afternoon: Possible further workshop, writing time, chance to talk to Alison one-to-one.
After Dinner discussion: Reflecting on the retreat and setting goals for continuing at home.
FRIDAY:
10am vacate rooms, most people leave late morning.
Set off home to put the week’s lessons and inspiration into practice, with an open invitation to drop Alison an email if you need to chat, or have a question, after you get home.
About Alison
Alison May is a novelist, short story writer, and freelance editor. She currently writes romantic comedies as Ally Sinclair and is published by Hera/Canelo. Alison has been shortlisted in both the Love Stories and Romantic Novel of the Year awards. Along with Janet Gover, Alison also writes reinterpretations of misunderstood classic novels, under the penname Juliet Bell. Alison’s tenth novel, The Christmas Season (as Ally Sinclair) came out in 2023.
Alison is also a qualified teacher with a degree in Creative Writing and a former Chair of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. As well as working one to one with developing novelists, she has taught for NAWG, Worcestershire Litfest, the Open University and the University of Worcester. Past students and mentoring clients have gone on to achieve agent representation, publication with traditional publishers – including Avon, Boldwood, Bookouture, Fourth Estate, Headline, Head of Zeus and HQ – and to self-publish successfully.
You can find out more about Alison at www.alison-may.co.uk, on Twitter and Instagram @MsAlisonMay and on YouTube at youtube.com/@alallyalison