Creative Writing course 11 July - 15 July 2012 - Write Like No One's Watching
Course Tutor Sarah Hymas
What to expect on the French House Party Creative Writing course.
Whether you're new to writing or have been writing for a while, this course offers the chance to write, play, experiment and share your work.
In each workshop we'll use writing games and exercises to explore new techniques and unleash your imagination. The focus is on informality; learning through play.
You will not be expected to write in any particular style or genre, except for what you choose, fact or fiction, prose or poetry.
As well as looking at creating convincing characters, writing about place, and plotting, we'll also cover: controlling pace and rhythm and will touch on editing.
The course programme includes daily 3-hour group sessions, one-to-ones and at least one evening feedback focus. Participants are encouraged to bring with them one or two of their poems or a short story for the one-to-one and another for group discussion.
Sarah will also offer her experience to advise on the business side of being a writer, should you wish, including discussing ambitions, expectations and the sort of publications you might best target for getting your work published.
About Sarah Hymas
Sarah Hymas lives in Lancaster, UK, and is an accredited coach.
She is primarily a poet - her poetry collection, Host, was published by Waterloo Press in 2010 - but she has also published a collection of short stories, written plays for the stage and a libretto for an improvised opera.
Her play, I Wish You Love, a conversation between Marlene Dietrich and Edith Piaf, has toured across Europe.
Sarah is a co-founder of the Writing Smithy, a mentoring and manuscript appraisal service. She currently works for Arc, a poetry publisher, as well as her freelance work as a writing coach, in writing projects and in workshops.
In 2011, Sarah was the winner of the prestigious Arvon Foundation "Six-Word Short Story" Prize.
The video above shows some extracts from The Creative Writing course in 2011
Testimonials
'Sarah Hymas is ingeniously clever as a creative writing tutor, and I thoroughly enjoyed her series of intense tasks and more informal parlour games, each a mind manipulation intent on making one use your imagination and freedom of expression. For me, Sarah was the perfect choice of tutor at the French House Party.'
Rick Beech, budding writer, 2009 participant
'As I said hello to my fellow classmates over a glass of Champagne as the sun set on the Languedoc, I knew I was in for a treat...Beautiful countryside, lovely people, amazing food and, above all, a really gifted tutor.'
Maria McGeoghan: Manchester Evening News
'Sarah was a very skilled, empathetic instructor who developed our confidence.'
Zayneb Allak
'I had never been on a writing course before and did not know what to expect. I was a little anxious...but it was a brilliant few days. I was met at the airport and immediately put at ease. The house was comfortable,
the food and wine excellent; the company entertaining and pleasant and I left feeling happier about my
writing and feeling generally cosseted and cared for. I would recommend it absolutely without reservation.'
