Every life contains stories. The challenge for the writer is discovering how best to tell them.

Whether you're working on memoir, autobiography, family history, personal essays or writing inspired by your own experience, this four-day residential course will help you transform the raw material of life into compelling prose.

Led by acclaimed writers Ali Millar and Horatio Clare, the course explores the craft and choices involved in writing from life. Through daily masterclasses, you'll learn how to research a concept, find the story within your material, use structure to shape an idea into a compelling narrative, plan and pace a longer work, characterise real people and develop a distinctive voice of your own.

Alongside the masterclasses, one-to-one tutorials throughout the week offer dedicated time to focus on your individual project and writing. You'll be able to explore ideas, test approaches and develop your work in a supportive, personalised environment, with an emphasis on originality, confidence and finding the form that best serves the story you want to tell.

The course also includes an exclusive guest session with Laura Cumming, bestselling author of On Chapel Sands and Thunderclap, who will share her experience of writing from life and explore how memory, family history and personal experience can be shaped into powerful and compelling stories.

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Ali Millar is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir The Last Days, while Horatio Clare is an award-winning author whose work spans memoir, travel, nature writing, fiction and journalism. Together they bring different perspectives and a wealth of experience across the spectrum of life writing, making the course relevant to projects ranging from essays and family memoir to full-length books.

You'll also explore how to develop your work towards publication standard and demystify some of the practicalities of the publishing world, including approaching agents and submitting your work.

Set within 42 acres of gardens, woodland and orchards in the Cotswolds – in the landscape that inspired Laurie Lee – Hawkwood provides a peaceful residential setting in which to step away from everyday demands and give yourself to your writing. Its extensive grounds also offer rich inspiration for writers interested in nature and place. Comfortable accommodation and delicious home-cooked meals are prepared and served by our friendly team, leaving you free and uninterrupted to concentrate on your work.

No previous publication experience is required. The course is particularly suited to anyone who has an idea for a project, or has already begun one and wants the time, guidance and expertise to take it further.

 

Bursaries: If you're aged 18–26, two 50% residential bursaries are available for this course.