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 Black Mountains Writing Weekend again on 14-16 June 2024. We had a fantastic time last year with a wonderful group of writers who came 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.’
THE WHAT There are many ways to tell a real-life story. And there are questions to consider before you start: ‘Whose story is it? Why do you want to write it? How much of yourself are you comfortable sharing? Whether you’re coming with a head full of ideas, a rough first chapter or a finely-honed synopsis, Lois and Ants will guide you through the process. You will learn how to organise your ideas and create a structure, how to incorporate (and not drown in) your research, the use of dialogue and characters to bring your story to life, and how to make those crucial decisions about what to include, and more importantly, what to leave out…
THE HOW 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 are 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. During the weekend you’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. By Sunday afternoon, you will be inspired, equipped and itching to get started.
THE WHERE We’ll be based at Ants’ house in Talgarth, but in-between workshops we’ll enjoy wilderness walks, swimming under waterfalls and campfire chats beneath starlit skies. Lunch and dinner are included and provided by a professional chef.
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.
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 weekend to be remembered, and inspired by words, food and lives.
Joanna, 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
Thank you both so much for giving us all so much inspiration – both in the writing, and the walking in beautiful Wales.
Peter, 2023 course participant
I want to thank you both for such an incredible time. I feel empowered.
Jane, 2023 course participant
Everything you need to know:
DATES/TIMES: 2PM FRIDAY 14th JUNE TO 4PM SUNDAY 16TH JUNE, 2024
LOCATION: TALGARTH, WALES
COST: £395 PER PERSON. Includes all food (dinner on Friday night, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and lunch on Sunday), teaching materials/handouts etc, plus a signed copy of Ants and Lois’ latest books.)
TO JOIN THE COURSE PLEASE SEND A MESSAGE TO 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 are washing facilities, a composting loo, and an outdoor sauna! If you have a camper van you are also free to bring this and park it outside the house. For those who like a little more comfort, Talgarth and the surrounding area has a number of accommodation options.
The following Airbnb properties are within 5 minutes’ walk of Ants’ house.
This is a few doors down, and tiny weeny but great for one person.
