FIND YOUR VOICE
A RETREAT FOR NEW WRITERS
Is the retreat for me?
Have you always wanted to write but don’t know where to begin? Do you have an idea but are unsure if it’s actually ‘an idea’? Or just an itch, an inkling, an inclination … Any of the above and this workshop is for you.
Across two and half days, we will help you find your motivation, bring your ideas into focus and equip you with the skills that you need to set off on your writing path.
How will the days look?
Our work will take place in the Lang room, a beautiful space in a quiet part of the hotel with a huge communal working area plus plenty of comfy armchairs and break-out space. French doors lead onto the side garden, so weather permitting, we can write outside.
Our mornings will begin around 9am, with something creative and reflective. It might be meditation to reflect and reset, a short yoga session in Birch’s beautiful studio, a walk around the grounds or a visit to the bakery to get hands on with the sourdough. We’ll return for morning refreshments (and later lunch), in the adjoining Jones room.
We will study three core writing skills per day, in sessions of approximately an hour and a half, covering topics such as idea creation, character, dialogue and story. These are designed to be interactive, and will comprise teaching, plenty of real-world examples and short guided exercises.
Mid afternoon, we turn to writing. Tutors will offer plenty of prompts (we don’t believe in blocks!), and will be on hand to help at all times. It feels most useful for writers to develop one piece of work across the workshop, though of course this isn’t compulsory.
Around 4.30pm we break, and then those who wish to can share their work – anything from a sentence to a page - alongside a cocktail or afternoon tea. Tutors and other writers will react: the all-important writing, editing and feedback loop.
By 5.30pm we are finished and writers are free to spend their evenings as they wish.
On Thursday evening, all are invited to gather for a drink in the Outdoor Tipi - again, optional, of course.
On Friday morning, we are delighted to introduce an industry guest speaker TBC. We will close with a one-to-one with a tutor.
What’s included?
Your bedroom for two nights.
Morning refreshments including hot drinks, pastries and fruit.
A selection of healthy and delicious vegetarian salads for lunch on Wednesday and Thursday.
A cocktail on Wednesday and afternoon tea on Thursday.
A yoga class, a short meditation, a nature walk and bread making session.
What else can I do?
Anything and everything that’s available to Birch guests. 55 acres of nature, a beautiful lido, films in the screening room, classes, treatments, a range of dining and drinking options.
Visit the site to get a true idea of the Birch experience.
Here’s what CN Traveller says.
A note on Covid
As the photos show, our rooms are huge and well ventilated.
We will accept a maximum of 16 writers to ensure safety as well as plenty of one-on-one time.
Click here to find Birch’s Covid policy and other FAQs.