Travel, Memoir and Life-Writing
with Ants Bolingbroke-Kent and Lois Pryce
Is there a story from your life you’ve always wanted to write but you’re not sure how to begin? Or maybe you’ve started – and got stuck? Real-life stories have enormous power to engage and inspire readers but putting them down on paper can be daunting. Where do you even start?
We’re excited to be running our Wild Writing Weekend in the Black Mountains again 13-15 June 2025. It’s a unique, immersive experience that brings together writers from across the world to share their stories, walk in the mountains, sit around the campfire, jump in the river, eat fabulous food – and of course write, write, write. One of last year’s participants described the experience as ‘a real treat for all the senses.’
Last year’s course sold out within a week of going on sale, so please get in touch ASAP if you’d like to join us.
Is it right for you?
The course is aimed at anyone who wants to write a memoir, travelogue, or any stories from their own life experiences. The techniques you will learn are relevant whether your aim is to publish a full-length book, write for magazines and newspapers, or simply for your own pleasure. Whether you’re coming with a head full of ideas, a rough first chapter or a finely-honed synopsis, we will guide you through the process.
What will you learn?
How to organise your ideas and create a structure.
How to maintain a narrative pace to keep your readers engaged.
Descriptive techniques to capture a sense of place.
The use of dialogue and characters to bring your story to life.
How to make those crucial decisions about what to include, and more importantly, what to leave out.
Editing your own work (and killing those darlings).
Tips for getting published.
We’ll explore and experiment with these techniques in a number of writing exercises and you’ll be provided with printed hand-outs and reading lists.
What’s the vibe?
The course is friendly, informal and above all, an opportunity to take part in one of our favourite pastimes – talking about writing and words with other like-minded souls in a beautiful setting. The number of participants is limited in order to form a small, intimate group, and as part of the shared experience, we will discuss the books we love and examine what makes them work. Good food and conversation are a big part of the weekend, and lunch and supper are included, provided by a professional chef, Anna Bywater of bristol KTCHN. Anna’s cooking is inspired by Middle-Eastern cuisine and her dishes are delicious, healthy and plentiful. By Sunday afternoon, you’ll be inspired, equipped, well-fed, and itching to get started.
Who are the tutors?
Ants and I are both published authors with six books between us, and 40+ combined years of writing experience. With a background in adventurous travel and exploration, we also work as freelance journalists and broadcasters, contributing to the Guardian, Times, FT and BBC among others. In 2021 we taught a writing course together at the Arvon Foundation, and enjoyed it so much, we set up our first Wild Writing Weekend the following year.
Where does it take place?
The course is based at Ants’ home in Talgarth, Wales, a cosy detached house in its own grounds, featuring a swimming pond with views of the Black Mountains. In-between workshops we’ll enjoy wilderness walks, swimming under waterfalls and campfire chats beneath starlit skies.
Thank you both for a truly life-changing weekend. I am bowled over by your generosity of time and spirit, your skill in creating such a safe place for us to explore ourselves. I feel very privileged to have been part of the course and to have met and shared the experience with such an interesting and lovely group of people.
Clare, 2024 course participant
Ants and Lois - thank you for being so open and kind, and for sharing so much more than your craft with us. Your different energies and perspectives complemented one another beautifully and the strength of the bond between you somehow anchored us all. You helped to release something inside me.
Jennine, 2023 course participant
Thank you for hosting such a fantastic weekend. I found the course very well structured, outlining the processes and techniques needed to write a book. I really enjoyed the exercises giving us the opportunity to put the theory into practice. I left feeling motivated to get going.
Olie, 2023 course participant
A very nourishing experience and great to meet such a variety of people. Grateful for all the sharing and generosity, to Ants and Lois of course for the fabulous course content, organisation, providing the safe emotional space for us to allow others an insight into our stories, and for your warmth and humour.
Ruth, 2023 course participant
Everything you need to know:
DATES/TIMES: 13-15 June 2025 (starts 4pm Fri, ends 4pm Sun)
LOCATION: TALGARTH, WALES
COST: £425 per person. Includes all food (supper on Friday night, lunch and supper on Saturday, and lunch on Sunday), teaching materials/handouts etc, plus signed copies of Ants’ and Lois’ latest books.
TO JOIN THE COURSE PLEASE MESSAGE LOIS VIA THE CONTACT PAGE
Accommodation isn’t included in the course price. You’re welcome to camp in Ants’ field for no charge. There’s an outdoor shower, a composting loo, a natural swimming pond, and a woodfired sauna! If you have a camper van you are also free to bring this and park it outside the house. For those who like more comfort, Talgarth has a number of accommodation options.
