Cotswolds Writing Retreat

A WRITING RETREAT & LITERARY TOUR IN THE COTSWOLDS

WITH KATE FORSYTH

& BETTER READ LITERARY TOURS

A literary experience you’ll never forget! Here is the date for the next Writing Retreats in the Cotswolds with Kate Forsyth:

Click here to find out more!

Sunday 23 April to Monday 1 May 2023 BOOKED OUT

Sunday 24 June to Monday 1 July 2024 NOW AVAILABLE

Nearly ten years ago, I was asked to devise an inspirational retreat that would combine practical classes on the art and craft of creative writing with all the fun and fascination of a literary tour. I was given complete freedom as to where and when the retreat would be run. My only brief was to make it the dream trip of a lifetime for all the writers out there who needed a jolt of creative energy and fresh motivation.

So I sat down and listed all the things that would make it a perfect retreat for me. This is what I wrote:

Kindred spirits
Workshops that would challenge, provoke, and stimulate new ideas
Literary pilgrimages to places where beloved authors once lived and worked
Time to think and dream and read and write
Castles, old churches, circles of standing stones, bluebell woods and wildflower meadows
Optional visits to art galleries, museums, and the theatre
Fabulous feasts in fabulous places

Where in the world would fulfill all of these dreams? I wondered.Of course! Oxford, the city of dreaming spires. Home of one of the oldest universities in the world. The place where Lewis Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland, and where C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien met in the local pub each week to read their work out loud. Percy Bysshe Shelley, Dorothy Sayers, Robert Graves and Dr Suess all studied there. So too did Susan Cooper and Philip Pullman, two of my favourite children’s fantasy authors. We could walk in their footsteps, we could see the local landmarks that inspired them, we could read their books again.

HEAR ALL ABOUT IT!

And the rolling green hills of the Cotswolds, with its charming villages of thatched cottages and old manor houses, was only twenty-odd miles away. We could explore Warwick Castle, one of oldest castles in the world still standing, we could visit Shakespeare’s grave, we could stay in a 16^th century half-timbered inn with ancient oak beams and a fireplace big enough to roast a dragon in …

And so CREATIVE WRITING IN THE COTSWOLDS was born!

Our next retreat runs from Sunday 23 April to Monday 1 May 2023 but is now fully booked.

Our 2024 retreat dates have just been released: Sunday 24 June to Monday 1 July 2024

Springtime! The most enchanting time to explore the Cotswolds. The gardens will be full of pear blossom and daffodils, and there will be an enchanting carpet of bluebells under the beech trees. Lambs will be frolicking in the meadows and, if we are lucky, fawns will be taking their first steps in the forest.

And every morning we will delve deep into the art and craft of creative writing, including building character, creating suspense, controlling pace, plotting, dangerous writing, and rediscovering your creative vitality.

It’s going to be amazing …

For all details, visit Better Read Tours:

Click HERE for More Information

What You Will Learn

For seven days, Kate will share with you all the secrets she has learned about writing stories which fire the imagination, touch the heart, and keep readers turning the pages long into the night.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Storytelling patterns and structures
Research techniques to help you bring your story to life
The importance of voice, and how to find it
Building characters that are vivid and vital
Creating a strong sense of time and place
Suspense and the art of surprise
How to connect to your creative flow, and consistently find the time and space to write the story you’ve always dreamed of bringing to life

For seven days, from 9am to 12noon, you will write, read, listen, learn and discuss all aspects of creative writing, from first discovering your story to finding a publisher.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jenny Gordon
Better Read Literary Tours
[email protected]

I could never have envisioned what a fantastic experience this overseas adventure could be prior to journeying to the Cotswolds. The mystery around what to expect revealed that Kate is a knowledgeable and natural teacher. She is generous in sharing her wisdom and is incredibly encouraging. I quickly discovered what Kate has to offer cannot be learned from a book. She is a truly gifted author and to be on the receiving end of her teaching is a privilege. My imagination was ignited and I've been writing nearly every day ever since. The trip encompasses far more than inspiration in the classroom. It feels magical to be surrounded by like-minded people who equally are launching themselves on their journey to becoming an author. There is opportunity to further discuss writing, ideas and the books you love, while drinking in the stunning scenery, quaint cottages, flavoursome food and the Cotswolds culture. I loved being submerged in the history of this stunning part of the world. It was a unique learning experience through immersion, a career path was forged and life long memories and friendships were made.

Niamh Griffin

The Writing in the Cotswolds retreat with Kate Forsyth was amazing. We stayed in the ridiculously picturesque village of Broadway in a 16th century hotel and lost ourselves in history and magic, visiting literary locations such as Shakespeare's birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon. Kate's classes were incredibly helpful and covered a wide range of topics. With the skills I learnt I was able to achieve my writing goals - I finished my first novel and had it accepted into a national emerging writers mentorship program. I also met some wonderful people who have now become precious friends. What more could you ask for from a writing retreat?

Emma Woods

Attending the History, Mystery and Magic writing retreat with Kate Forsyth has taken my writing to the next level. The course in the Cotswold’s was exciting, fun and informative. I’ve made lifelong friends with the girls who attended and we've evolved into an online writing and critique group. Before the course with Kate, I could never grasp the essence of the structural edit, though I’d done many other courses. With Kate’s help and direction, I can now deconstruct my writing and sort out the messy first draft. Kate has an amazing ability to adapt her teaching to each student no matter where individuals are in their writing journey. I couldn’t recommend it strongly enough. I wish I could go again.

Paul Beavan

The week-long course was educational and highly organised. I learnt more through Kate Forsyth's teaching than any other course I've undertaken and exceeded my expectations. She was a fantastic presenter, in group form and individual support. Kate kept me inspired, motivated, and she helped take my writing to the next level. The venue was fabulous, as were the optional tours. Nigel, our tour guide, was friendly and a true history buff. I have nothing but praise for this event. It was worth every cent.

Carol Warner

Kate Forsyth leads you through a spectrum of spectacular backdrops in Oxford and exquisite landscapes in the Cotswolds to inspire you to keep the pace in a demanding week of lectures and audience participation. You are also introduced to food that you can only dream of.

Manfred Claasz

Kate Forsyth is a brilliant presenter. She is knowledgeable, warm, smart and doesn't waste a moment. I loved her!

Krys Saclier