Adventures News

The TLC Literary Adventures 6th-12th October offered blue skies, fabulous Spanish catering and of course a week of tutoring (and hard work) with writing tutor Jacob Ross.

TLC adventurer John Starkie writes, 'I took away a much clearer understanding of both short story and novel form and a far better grasp of technique in how to engage readers with my storytelling. This was a really affirmative experience; I arrived with a lot of self-doubt, I left brimful of self-confidence. Thank you'.

We've chosen to exhibit the writing from one of our adventurers for our November showcase. Don't miss this touching short story by TLC adventurer Ruby Cowling.  Click here to go to the showcase.

If you would like to learn more about our writing holiday, check out the TLC Adventures YouTube video, which offers just a glimpse of the inspirational location. We are currently looking to set a date for the next adventure. Sign up for our newsletter to receive more information about our Literary Adventures holiday in 2013.

Literary Adventurer Lindsay Waller Wilkinson joined TLC at Casa Ana for the second week of our writing holiday. In her blog she writes "I feel like a tap that has been lying dormant, neglected, for a long time. It has just been turned on and at first the water runs impure, a dirty brown. I know that I have to write it out, write through it and gradually there will be a cleansing, the quality will improve as I learn. I said- I am here to learn the craft of writing. I believe there is a craft and much can be learnt. I now understand there is also a craft in reading. Thank you Jacob."

During her week abroad this April, Lindsay participated in writing courses led by Jacob Ross. Jacob Ross is a regular TLC reader and adventures tutor and also teaches the TLC Masterclass at Free Word in London.

TLC is delighted to hear that the experience was inspiring for Lindsay and hope to recreate an equally stimulating Literary Adventure next April.

Still thinking of joining us for our writing holiday in Andalucia? TLC is keeping our special offer of £50 off if you ring before February 14th.

Margaret Drabble, Nell Dunn, Jacob Ross, Rebecca Abrams, Chris Stewart and Michael Jacobs, make up our inspirational team of tutors and speakers.  Our writing holiday is based at Casa Ana in Andalucia, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Travel tip: Find your feet as a writer for a week or two and then walk on to Sevilla, where you can experience the sacred Easter rituals and processions of Semana Santa.

See full details for the holiday at:  www.literaryadventures.co.uk.

Answer one simple question and you could be on your way to a literary adventure in Spain.

The Guardian has teamed up with The Literary Consultancy to offer one lucky winner a place on one of TLC's springtime writing courses. Held at Casa Ana in the heart of the Alpujarras mountain range in beautiful Andalucia, the course is led by expert tutor Rebecca Abrams and allows plenty of time for rest and relaxation alongside a unique writing programme designed by The Literary Consultancy. There will also be visits from guest speakers, Chris Stewart and Michael Jacobs, to inspire you further. The holiday is for one week and runs from 26th March to 1st April, 2011.

The prize includes a place for one person on a room-share basis, at ¾ board and is exclusive of flights. Single supplements may be available on a first-come, first-served basis at an extra cost of £120 per week per person. Click here to enter the competition. For more information about the holiday, please see TLC Literary Adventures.

The closing date for this competition is Monday 29th November 2010.

Start your novel this March!

Denise Larking Coste, one of our literary adventurers, was long listed for the poetry section of the literateur competition.   In addition to being long-listed,  several of her poems have been put forward for the showcase section of the TLC website. One of these, gives a wonderful flavour of romance and holiday. We thought you might like to see it in full:

Olive trees tumble green shadow down the cliff,
veil narrow terraces.
A girl sings on a white wall, watching
the blue mating of two seas: crossroads,
noiseless ships strung out over water.

She smokes kif, sips hot minted tea
from a cup on a dusty table.
Dreams of Spain across the straight, seeing
Antaeus, straddled, one foot in Europe
one in Africa: giant back arched like a silent bow.

Then we cuddle and love
and you lie back on fat silk pillows –
your lips moist with red wine –
waiting for the dancing girls to come.

TLC and the Literateur presented the short listed winners at the fully booked Free Word Awards ceremony on11 November, an inspiring evening with readings from both the judges and the participants.

To learn more about the competition and winners see the Literateur website.

Looking for a writing getaway?

If you’re interested in finding out more about our Literary Adventure holidays being run next March and April please contact our office at info@literaryconsultancy.co.uk.

For a 'sneak' preview check out our YouTube videos from our Spanish holiday in May this year:



**Early bird offer for bookings before October 31st – Save £50**

"For a writing masterclass with a difference, sign up to TLC Literary Adventures"

“Pick of the Week” – Observer

The Guardian voted TLC's first Literary Adventure as on of the top five writing holidays.

TLC's first literary adventure, based on Koh Chang Island, Thailand, included tutorials, workshops and Kate Mosse as the guest speaker.  In addition, participants were lodged at the Aiyapura Resort and Spa, with plenty of opportunities for excursions and lots of inspiration for creative writing.

Click here to read more about our first writing holiday.

Over the course of summer 2005, TLC readers tutored writing workshops on the Greek Island of Skyros. Skyros, which was originally established by American psychologist Dr Dina Glouberman and Greek journalist Dr Yannis Andricopoulos, was Europe’s first ever alternative holiday centre.  It pioneered a holistic approach to life in tune with the classical Greek holistic understandings and it initiated new community structures which have been copied all over the world time and again.

To learn more about the courses at http://www.skyros.com/writers_lab.htm