CREATIVE WRITING COURSES

‘WRITING ABOUT PAXOS: SPIRIT OF PLACE’ 18 - 25 APRIL 2011

“My books are always about living in places, not rushing through them…the important determinant of culture is - after all - the spirit of place.” - Lawrence Durrell

Whether you would like to visit an unknown magical island a short ferry ride from Corfu or already know and love Paxos, this course offers you the chance to explore its fascinating landscape through your own creative writing.  With its serene olive groves, lonely beaches, sea caves and ruined windmills, Paxos offers the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in an inspirational place and find a rich source for your own poetry or prose.  Spirit of place has always inspired writers, from Thomas Hardy’s Dorset to Lawrence and Gerald Durrell’s Corfu, and we know that Paxos will inspire you, whether you are an absolute beginner or an experienced writer.

Like painters, you will spend much of your time ‘writing from life’ and the course will include visits to a traditional inland village, Circe’s Spring, the bell tower of Ipapanti, the delightful village of Loggos and the beach.  In a landscape remarkably unspoilt, still echoing with the spirit of Homer, you will look closely at what you find around you and share existing writing about the island and the Ionian to help you get started.  Paxos provides the tranquillity many writers and aspirant writers seek, as well as an intriguing history and secret places redolent with myth. By the end of the course you will have explored and enjoyed its enchanting landscape, and completed a small collection of writing about the island.

The course will be led by experienced writer, tutor and frequent visitor to Paxos, Adam Strickson, Teaching Fellow in Creative Writing at the University of Leeds, who has led many courses in the UK.  Poet in Residence at the Ilkley Literature Festival in 2005, he has taught poetry, fiction, life writing and the use of myth and landscape as creative sources.

The course will be based around five morning sessions and two evenings, one at the beginning of the week when you will share some of the writing about Greece that you love, and one at the end when you will share some of the work written during the course. Adam will also be offering 45 minute individual writer’s ‘surgeries’ in the late afternoon and evening. During these he will look either at writing produced during the course or at an example of each participant’s existing writing which they may send to him before the start of the course.

During the course you will

• explore and share stimulating prose and poetry by contemporary and ancient writers about Paxos and Greece
• write your own poetry and/or prose in the beautiful landscape
• receive supportive, structured advice to help you improve your writing
• share your writing informally with the rest of the group

Afternoons will be free, leaving plenty of time either to explore Paxos or simply relax. 

Click here to read what people have said about Adam Strickson's teaching and writing.

Course Cost: The course costs £545 per person, which includes tuition as described above, accommodation in a shared twin/double room in a villa near Loggos, one of the three main villages on Paxos, any local transport required in connection with the course and a large breakfast hamper. All the villas that we will be using have swimming pools but these are not heated and may not be available in April. Transfers between Corfu airport and your accommodation on Paxos can be arranged at additional cost, as can optional activities such as Greek cookery, Greek dancing, boat trips and walks.

For full details of what is included in the cost of the course and of the accommodation, please see ‘Writing Courses Further Information’.

It is also possible for anyone who has their own accommodation or who wishes to be more independent just to join the group tuition sessions. Please contact us to discuss your requirements. 

To Book: Please read our Booking Conditions and the Important Information section of this website and then complete and submit an On-Line Booking Form. 'Writing About Paxos' is open to people of all ages and abilities aged 21 or over. However, Paxos is a relatively hilly island and we therefore do not feel that it is suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

Minimum number of participants: All our holidays, courses and activities require a minimum number of participants in order for them to operate. The minimum number of participants required for the 'Writing About Paxos' course to operate is 6.

Second Holiday/Course Discount: We will give you a discount of £40 if you book any two of the holidays or courses in our current programme.

Further Information: Do have a look round our website and, if you would like further information about any of our holidays and courses or about Paxos more generally, then please do not hesitate to Contact Us.