Dates
2022
Course 1: 29th August 2022- 10th September 2022
What Happens?
Our twelve-night courses are designed to help improve or to help you learn how to write a piece of fiction/a story. You will be guided by a resident tutor who will provide you with support, guidance and a little bit of fun throughout your stay with us. For me the importance of a writing course is the balance between teaching and having time to write and so the course is split into ‘teaching days’ and ‘free writing days’. All meals are included in the price and we aim to provide two trips out in the local area to inspire your work.
Example Itinerary
Monday: Arrival from 3pm-4pm. Light refreshments at 5:30pm with a tour of the grounds and an introduction session with tutor and other students. A three-course meal will be served at 7:30pm.
Tuesday: Breakfast at 8:30. First lesson at 9:30 until 11:00. A break for refreshments and a home-baked goodie until 11:15. Second lesson from 11:15 until 1:30 when we break for lunch. After lunch you have the freedom to write, read, enjoy the grounds or go for a drive/walk. Meet back at the retreat for dinner at 7 and then after dinner we’ll play some fun writing games.
Wednesday: Trip out in the local area in search of inspiration. Picnic included.
Thursday: A similar day to Tuesday.
Friday: A similar day to Tuesday.
Saturday to Wednesday: Free writing period. You can do or go wherever you wish (a folder with local attractions is available to look through at the retreat). The tutor will be around if you need any help with your work. Food will be as it is during the regular weeks. Lunch bags will be available if given a day’s advance notice. Another day trip is planned during this period.
Thursday: Breakfast at 8:30. At 9:30 a lesson in editing will begin, with usual pause for refreshments at 11. You’ll then continue your editing sessions until 1:30 when you’ll stop for a light lunch. After lunch you’ll be free to finish your editing or enjoy a walk etc.
Friday, last full day: Breakfast will be available from eight to nine o’clock, to allow for lie-ins. You then have the rest of the day to yourself. Lunch will be at 1:30. If you want a one-on-one session with the tutor she’ll be available all day. At 6:30pm we will be having our last meal together, followed by a showcase of anything anybody would like to share with the group.
Saturday: A filling breakfast for our final morning before departure anytime before 12pm.
We aim for the itinerary to be as close to the example as possible, although the days of trips may change depending whether anything special is happening at local attractions during the period of your stay.
Price for 12 Nights- Room and Full Board
(See Room pages for descriptions of each room)
Dumas: £1495, single person.
Hugo: £1495, single person.
Please inform us of any allergies, intolerances or special diets e.g. vegetarian, vegan, gluten free or other dietary requirements. Examples of menus is included on the Food page of this website, found in the ‘What We Offer’ tab. For examples of what you may want to bring with you, please see the ‘Contact Us’ tab.
If you wish to book on a Course, please email us at lestylonoirretreat@gmail.com (or contact us through the Contact Us section of this website) to check availability.
During booking you will be asked if you wish to pay the full price or a deposit. The deposit is non-refundable and any cancellation has to be made five weeks in advance*. You will be asked, by email, to pay the final instalment five weeks before. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon.
*If your city/town goes into a lockdown or you find yourself quarantined/in self-isolation and you cannot visit on the date you are booked in please email us and we will either book you in for another date or provide you a full refund.