Thank you to all those talented writers who joined Denman’s very first Creative Writing Summer School. Students were working on such a variety of writing and it was great to be involved with all those different genres and writing projects.
We had a wonderful sunny, happy week working on our projects and supporting each other. The new garden room is a beautiful addition to the grounds – a lovely place to write . Our classroom sessions produced a clutch of new colourful ‘characters’ including ‘Mr. Passmore’ too memorable to be forgotten!
We had one writer working on her East African childhood memoir. So many unique experiences, a real labour of love for her family, but also an important piece of social and women’s history – entertaining, educational and inspirational. We were amazed by the writer, who, following many years of working with an NGO in Uganda, has returned to UK with a mission – to write, have illustrated, edit, publish, pack and transport (phew!) reading books designed for use in Ugandan schools. A massive undertaking, and we were so pleased to be a small part of this at Denman – we wish her every success.
We loved the twist ending short story about a farmer, and hope to see it published. We laughed along with each other often, and also were aware of an occasional tear, We heard part of an amazing and exotic family history story from a writer who’d already completed 52 thousand words and had many more burning inside waiting to be written. We heard a magical tale in development about young William’s adventures with his longed for ladder, and enjoyed a story about a lonely beach, a man, a dog and an artist. We were captivated by the beginning, and synopsis of a novel, and the skill of the writer who produced a first draft of beautifully polished prose which leapt off the page and had us all waiting to be invited to the book launch.
We were sure the writer who created baby Elizabeth and her family had found her forte in writing about children, family and the domestic world, with a sprinkling of mystery. We were moved by a poignant story about a family secret dating from the first world war, and – from the same writer, on the final morning we enjoyed performing a script in hand hilarious scene from her ‘work in progress’ memoir of life in an inner city school.
I loved the way everyone was honest, supportive and generous to each other, and the way everyone exchanged ideas, skills, information and experiences. We enjoyed our time at Denman so much, and our delicious ‘end of term celebration’ dinner on our final evening together. Congratulations to everyone and thank you. Keep writing and keep in touch :-))
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Come to Denman and enjoy our brand new relaxed Creative Writing Summer School. You’ll have all the time, space and support you need to kick start your writing project or continue something you’ve already begun.
With a new confidence in your ability to write creatively we’ll explore the different genres of creative writing (short story, novel, memoir, life story, poetry, features, sketch and playwriting etc.) and consider which suits you best.
You’ll enjoy inspirational tutor led sessions with tricks and tips to help you build believable characters, breathe life into them with great dialogue, and create convincing plots. You’ll have some quiet writing time; opportunities to give and receive constructive feedback when sharing and discussing your work with other writers, and be supported in confidential ‘one to one’ sessions with your tutor.
The creative writing summer school is relaxed and friendly and suitable for all ages and abilities, including those with no experience of writing. Men and women both equally welcome.
The price includes comfortable spacious single ensuite rooms (some double/twin rooms available) all with tea/coffee making facilities and full board, with varies menus of delicious meals, including cooked breakfasts, morning coffee, lunch, tea and cake in the afternoon and a three course evening dinner with tea/coffee.
Contact Denman College 01865 391991
email Chrissie@lifestorywriting.co.uk
tel. 01332 881795