Advice

As a writer it can often be a challenge to find a peaceful, inspiring space in which to get your work down on paper. An exciting solution to this problem could be a period of time spent in one of the numerous retreats on offer all over the world. An assortment of villas, chalets and ranches are open to writers and are spread all over the planet in idyllic settings. The majority of these supply meals and amenities and have professional writers on hand to offer advice. It could also prove to be a really useful opportunity to share your work with other writers. Surprisingly, it need not be an expensive experience either, as many offer their services free of charge and various bursaries may be available to you. The internet is full of information on such places, but here are some of the most intriguing and inspiring, based both overseas and closer to home.

The Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing is located in a turn of the century house in San Francisco’s bay area. Founded by author Leslie Kirk Campbell, the school is described on its website as “A liberating new approach to language, perception and writing without fear”. It offers a variety of courses, ranging from memoir writing to the penning of fiction and poetry. Classes are held in San Francisco while additional retreats are organised in the nearby Sonoma Wine Country. There are usually eight to twelve writers to a group. Known as the “greenhouse of the imagination” this retreat appears welcoming and genuinely passionate about the art of writing. To sign up, see www.ripefruitwriting.com.

Another Californian-based retreat is The Writer’s Retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Surrounded by dramatic scenery, those taking part can take advantage of professional literary services and selected workshops. Although set in a somewhat isolated spot, the retreat puts an emphasis on group participation and support. The website states “Our sole purpose is to provide an ambience conducive to creativity and to assist writers in reaching their goal.” The group also offer retreats in Colorado, South Carolina, and more exotic parts of the world such as Mexico and Costa Rica. For further details go to www.writersretreat.com.

The Blue Mountain Centre is a retreat that takes itself rather seriously and has a hardcore attitude to the art of writing. Those wishing to take part in one of four month-long residencies must first sit before an Admissions Committee of professional authors and artists. However, the retreat is free of charge and promises a productive stay. This is a community of writers, artists, activists and musicians, in the Adirondacks, one of America’s largest state parks. The centre is particularly interested in enlisting writers who tackle social issues such as civil liberties, environmental debates, peace and economic justice. However, if you need a break from tackling these subjects, amenities include a tennis court, lake, boats and hiking trails.

Newcastle-based poet Anna Woodford recently secured a placement at the Blue Mountain Centre. Anna received a Northern Promise Award from New Writing North in 2001, and she described her times in the Adirondacks as a life-changing experience. While there she was working on a project for New Writing North; a poetry series titled Poems for the Season. She says of her time there: “It’s a great experience to meet artists from a range of genres and different countries and to get out of your comfort zone and be a stranger in a strange land.”

While the retreat is set in one of the most beautiful parts of America, Anna warns that time spent at the Blue Mountain Centre is anything but a holiday, despite the centre being surrounded by bears and trees. If you are serious about your writing and want to complete a project with the support of other writers, this is certainly the place to go. Of course, the scenery can be a source of inspiration, as Anna acknowledged: “I enjoyed, after a few days of adjustment, the tranquility and especially the theatre of all the leaves changing colour – I visited in the fall when it is really magical in the Adirondacks.”

Anna encourages writers to try out the centre for themselves: “Go for it. You’ll either love it or hate it – but either way, it’s worth trying, and if it is for you then it will be life-changing.” Find out how to apply at www.bluemountaincenter.com.

The Writers’ Retreat Workshop in Kentucky is “situated among dozens of acres of gently rolling hills, over-looking a tranquil pond”. The workshop offers ten-day projects, which consist of assignments, diagnostic sessions, feedback, guest speakers, discussion groups and more. This retreat seems genuinely inspiring and appears to really believe in its ability to improve a person’s writing. It takes the subject very seriously, and promises hard but rewarding work. They say: “You’ll make dramatic improvements in your writing, editing, story sense and marketing skills. Also, you’ll meet a group of people with the same dreams and aspirations. You’ll laugh a great deal. You’ll be well fed, nurtured and challenged.” To have a look for yourself, go to www.writersretreatworkshop.com.

The uniquely named Yaddo is a long established artists’ community in Saratoga Springs, New York. Established in 1900, this 400-acre estate has been temporarily called home by many well-known writers; Truman Capote, Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath and Mario Puzo have all written there. Writers can work at Yaddo for between two weeks and two months, during which time they will benefit from the serenity of the estate and can receive feedback and assistance.

Yaddo was established by a wealthy financer and his poet wife, and after the deaths of their four children they bequeathed the estate to generations of artists, apparently hoping to achieve a vision of the future which the poetic wife experienced. It certainly has a rich artistic heritage and some people suggest that the land itself is the source of “mystical creative power”. Prior to the building of the couple’s estate a pub called Barhyte’s Tavern occupied the land, and Edgar Allen Poe reputedly penned part of The Raven there. To follow in his footsteps, log on to http://yaddo.org/yaddo.home.asp.

The Big Sur Writing Workshop has taken place each spring for the last five years and has enjoyed great success. It is an intensive weekend workshop intended for new and unpublished writers of both adult and children’s novels and of narrative non-fiction. Its intention is to help aspiring writers to prepare their manuscripts for publication, and it does this through sessions chaired by some of America’s top agents, editors and authors. Although it might seem a long way to go for a weekend of writing, the event promises to be filled with essential information for anyone wanting to make it in the business, and could perhaps be combined with a trip to experience the Californian coastline. “Add the magic and inspiration of the Big Sur setting, gourmet meals, a professional and positive faculty and we promise you will have an unforgettable, insightful, fun and creative weekend.” Find out more at www.henrymiller.org/AFW2.html.

North East writer Carina Rodney enjoyed a retreat with the Djerassi Program, which is based in the Santa Cruz Mountains, 40 miles south of San Francisco. Like many of the other US retreats, this one benefits from being in an isolated and dramatic setting; it boasts a “genuine retreat atmosphere”. Carina is a self-employed writer. She is currently working on her Pub Quiz stage play for New Writing North. Carina was truly prolific during her time at the retreat. She outlined a number of new ideas, abandoned one script and wrote a scene-by-scene outline of a new screenplay and three quarters of a first full draft. She found the experience extremely useful and felt that the setting had a positive effect on her work. “The residency building was a ranch house set within 700 acres of nature reserve," she says. "I found the scale and peace of the surrounding scenery a positive experience, having a complete lack of intrusion was both stimulating and liberating for my writing.”

Carina had nothing bad to say about the retreat and felt that it should be extended from a month to six weeks. She summed it up as being “productive, relaxing and inspiring”. However, like Anna, she advised any writers thinking of attending the Program to be prepared to work hard and be aware that any time spent in Santa Cruz would not be a holiday. Details of the retreat can be found at www.djerassi.org.

If you don’t fancy a long-haul flight, there are plenty of retreats to be found around Britain too. In keeping with their American counterparts, these seem to crop up in some of the most beautiful areas of the country.

Ty Newydd is a historic building in Criccieth, North Wales, set in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. It is known as the final resting place of David Lloyd George, and has been a writers’ retreat for ten years. They offer courses in both Welsh and English and firmly believe that writing is a pleasure that anybody can enjoy. The retreat was founded by Welsh poet Gillian Clarke and welcomes writers interested in completing poems, novels and short stories, and in script writing for film, television and radio. It is in a setting to rival the retreats in America, and details can be found at www.tynewydd.org.

Hawthornden Castle is a dramatic site in Scotland, set on the banks of the river North Esk. It is a historic building and the caves beneath it were apparently called home by Robert the Bruce for a time. This retreat is aimed at writers who have already been published, and describes itself as “a peaceful setting where published writers can work without disturbance”. Hawthornden Castle seems somewhat more luxurious than other retreats, although it doesn’t offer any financial assistance. Anna Woodford has been a “Hawthornden Fellow” and says of her time there, “I spent a month at Hawthornden Castle where dinner is brought to your room on a tray and other people very kindly do your washing!” The retreat takes on five writers at a time. To find out how to apply, visit www.writersservices.com.

Also in Scotland is The Fielding Residencies, which offer writers a unique opportunity to work in the beautiful and inspiring surroundings of Cove Park, the international artists' residency centre on Scotland’s west coast.

Taking their inspiration from Henry Fielding’s pioneering spirit, they bring together the expertise of the hosts and the beauty of the surroundings to offer writers a unique opportunity to make real progress. They provide a special period of undisturbed time with a small group of fellow writers along with the option of informal one-to-one meetings or workshops with writer Polly Clark. Private and very comfortable accommodation, along with opportunities to escape the page in the evenings and enjoy the company of other writers and the hosts, complete the package. In 2008 these residencies last from two to four weeks in April only, so places are limited. For more information, email info@fieldingprogramme.com.

The Tyrone Guthrie Centre in County Monaghan, Ireland, has also been visited by Anna Woodford, which is where an American poet first recommended the Blue Mountain Centre to her. Residencies are offered to all types of artists and can be carried out over periods as long as six months. The setting is expansive, and was once the stately home of Sir William Tyrone Guthrie. The centre was established after a condition was stated in his will: “… my said dwelling house, furniture, pictures and chattels and the income of my residuary estate to be used for the purpose of providing a retreat for artists and other persons… so as to enable them to do, or facilitate them in doing, creative work…” This certainly seems to be a condition that the centre is living by, and further information can be found at www.tyroneguthrie.ie.

Another British retreat is the Totleigh Barton Arvon Centre, an ancient thatched cottage on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon. It is run by writers and takes on groups of 15 people at a time. It offers “the chance to leave the distractions of daily life behind and focus on your writing”. Food and a plentiful supply of alcohol are provided, and those taking part are guaranteed both hard work and a good time. Find out more at www.theatreworks.org.uk.

Retreats for writers are also available all over Europe. Here are details about just a few of the most exciting opportunities.

The Arista Bohemian Writers’ Retreat is a new centre which has recently opened in the Czech Republic. It is aimed towards script writers and offers the opportunity to develop a script intensively with experts, alongside a range of development services. It is the ideal place to work on your writing, in a beautiful 14th century house, surrounded by hills and forests. If you would like to find out more about this Southern Bohemia retreat, visit www.aristadevelopment.co.uk/writersretreat/index.htm.

A French retreat called La Muse Writers’ and Artists’ Retreat appears to have a really warm attitude towards the people who attend its sessions, and aims to create a community of artists who can work in collaboration with those who live permanently in the area. It is set in an ancient village called La Montagne Noire, in the south of France. As well as offering peace and encouragement to writers, the retreat encourages a number of pursuits such as wine tasting, visits to local markets, swimming in the nearby lakes, and art and film shows in the village. Their website states that “we believe art and its pursuit is a universal language.” To find out more, go to www.lamuseinn.com.

For something a little different, visit the writing retreat on the Greek isle of Skiathos. The retreat promises to be both “exotic” and “magical”. It certainly appears to be one of the most relaxed retreats on offer. Classes take place from nine in the morning until noon, and then afternoons are spent on any of the island’s sixty-something beaches. If you are looking for a more laid back attitude to your writing holiday, this is perhaps the one to go for. Despite the fact that it observes the Greek tradition of siestas, this retreat does challenge its visitors intellectually and enjoys visits from guest writers. To find out more visit its website at www.zoeartemis.com/greece2007.htm.

As the above examples prove, there are retreats to appeal to every style of writer, and the benefits of these inspirational locations have been felt by some of the North East’s artists. If you’re seeking a challenge, why not spend some time in one of these varied locations?

If you are keen to visit a retreat but are worried about how to fund your stay, there really are an incredible number of grants and bursaries available. In fact, there are so many that searching for the right one can be a bit overwhelming, so here are some suggestions.

The Oppenheim-John Downes Memorial Trust offers financial assistance to British artists, sculptors, writers, musicians and dancers. They usually offer awards of up to £1000, which are given in December each year. Information on how to apply can be found at www.oppenheimdownstrust.org.

The Peggy Ramsay Foundation is aimed at playwrights and those writing for the stage. The trustees meet four or five times a year to judge applications. Find out more at www.peggyramsayfoundation.org.

The Authors Foundation helps with research costs or allows writers to buy time to write. To be eligible for the award you need to have had a piece of work either commissioned or previously published. This can be in either fiction, non-fiction or poetry. Details can be found at www.writersservices.com.

The Arts Council offers a number of grants, one of which is the Grants for the Arts – Individuals. This applies to projects, professional development, residencies, fellowships, fellowships and travel grants. Amounts awarded range from £200 to £30, 000. Enquiries should be sent to enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk.

The Arvon Foundation, which runs retreats in Britain, offer grants to those who are struggling with course fees. They aim to assist as many people as possible but offer the service on a first-come first-served basis. Successful applicants are required to complete a written report on the completion of their retreat. Apply for the grant at www.arvonfoundation.org.

The Ripe Fruit School of Creative Writing in San Francisco recognises that some writers might not have the finances to take part in courses. Therefore, individual payment plans can be negotiated to suit almost every need and partial work exchange can be offered to students on low funds. All information can be found on the school’s website.

There are also some general websites which might be of use to you. They have links to various grants and offer advice on what sources of funding are available for writers. They are really useful, so why not have a look at:

www.artscouncil.org.uk
www.writersservices.com
www.literaturetraining.com
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/getwriting

© Claire Lewis for New Writing North, 2008