Never having taken part in a creative writing course, I was excited, but a trifle anxious, when I was invited to join a ‘writing bootcamp’ at the Circle of Missé, a creative centre near my new home in France.
Lead by Annie Kirby, a renowned short-story writer who is also working on a full-length novel, with additional sessions by Wayne Milstead, resident writer, we worked mightily for six days on beginnings, histories, characters, memory, dialogue and pacing and structure.
The exercises were hard work, but so rewarding. The enthusiastic group of writers I found myself among contributed with such thoughtful insights I felt humbled by the talent that surrounded me.
I’m not a natural short story writer – I’m on my third novel now and and am very comfortable with the form – but such was the quality of the sessions and the technical support, I might give it another go. After this week, I am confident I can produce something that might be presentable!
Complementing the work were sessions on wine-tasting, local sightseeing, a writing day away in Chinon and gourmet lunches and dinners, masterminded by Aaron Tighe, resident chef.
We had plenty of time in the afternoons to write; some worked on short stories, others on their novels. Help, advice, and listening support was available at all times during the week and participants had the chance of three more structured (or not!) one-to-one sessions with Annie to discuss their work.
The tone of the whole week was warm, safe and nurturing. Being a newbie writer, I was anxious about sharing my work – I’m a commercial fiction animal, not literary – but I was encouraged and supported to do so and was pleased to receive genuine, positive and helpful comments.
So, we worked hard, explored, definitely learned a lot and had fun.
Tired? I was knackered by day six, not to put a fine point on it, but oh, it was so worth it, as my heroine would say.
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Hello Alison
I enjoyed reading your blog and was envious of your writing week in France which is no longer ‘abroad’ for you now, but home. I am really tempted to book next year if they do a novel-writing course as it sounds as though they got the right balance of hard work and fun, with some sound tuition. I find it very stimulating to be out of the normal environment, away from everyone you know, and immerse yourself for a week writing without feeling guilty that you are indulging in what some (non-writers) people describe as being the most selfish ‘hobby’ of all.
Glad you enjoyed the post, Denise.
I’ll ask if they are doing a novel week next year and let you know
Hi, Alison,
It sounds a really interesting, and fun, course – what a lovely way in which to approach crucial aspects of your novel, surrounded by fellow writers.
Whereabouts in France is Missé?
Liz
Hi Liz,
Yes, I enjoyed it a great deal and did get kick-started on number three novel after the hiatus caused by the move.
Missé is a small, no, tiny village in the north of the Poitou Charentes region, about halfway along a line between Angers and Poitiers http://tinyurl.com/2544a8j. Despite the current cool weather, it’s in the second sunniest part of France.
We’re very lucky to have such a creative centre on our doorstep.
Many thanks for the response, Alison. I may have been pretty close to Missé as I have been to that part of the world on several occasions.
Good luck with novel number three, ou bien, bonne chance!
Liz
Thanks, Liz.
Next time you’re coming to our neck of the woods, let me know and we’ll crack open a bottle between us!
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