Start Your Novel. Just Do It. (sold out)

Whether you are taking your first steps from reader to writer, or have a manuscript to polish before sending off, this course will equip you with all the transferable skills required to get your project glowing.

This is a weekend of writing exercises, writing theory, and encouragement; bolstered by delicious food and outstanding scenery. We’ll look at all the building blocks of fiction and how they fit together to build a solid story structure with robust and engaging characters.

You will leave this course energised and confident as a writer, absorbed in your character, and with a rigorous story world ready to explore.

The course is delivered by best-selling novelist Anstey Harris. Anstey is not only a Richard and Judy author and winner of the H G Wells Short Story Prize, but a qualified and widely experienced teacher.

Write South West Scotland prides itself on an ethos of comfort, creativity, and sustainability. We have luxurious beds, crackling fires, and big sofas, and we like to think that all your needs will be met during your time with us. Nourishment for the body and soul is imperative for artists and our indulgent vegetarian food reflects that, along with the amazing forest walks that start right at our front door.

Dumfries and Galloway is part of the UNESCO Biosphere and Write South West Scotland is a certified Biosphere business. We grow as much of the food we cook for guests as we can, and use ethical and local suppliers wherever possible. Our skies come under the Dark Sky Park and we’ll try – weather depending – to get out and look at the stars. We might even see the Northern Lights.

The course fee includes all meals and accommodation from Friday supper to Sunday ‘tea’. If it makes it easier for you to travel home on Monday morning, supper and accommodation for Sunday evening is free of charge.

This is a boutique and focussed course, limited to six participants.