Writing holidays
2009-02-19
Almost every writer dreams about going on a writing holiday. Where you can go to some peaceful, majestic location and really start to unwind and write your novel. The one that will make you a millionaire overnight and the darling of chat shows. Lose Women, Jonathan Ross, whatever your fantasy.
The Writers’ Lab, is one such writer's holiday. It is situated on the Greek island of Skyros, described as gorgeous and absolutely unspoilt. It offers the aspiring or already published writer the chance to talk with fellow writers and to share the struggles, heartaches and joys of being a writer.
Is it any good? Well, Skyros was recently declared the Top of the World's Five Best Writing Holidays by The Guardian newspaper. Visit www.skyros.com for more information.
Facilitators for 2009 sessions will include Julia Bell, Helen Drysdale Sophie King and Andrew Miller (who was shortlisted for a Booker prize) Helena Drysdale, Julia Bell and Sophie King. See
For nearly two decades, Skyros Writers’ Lab has created a very good reputation for itself. Writers like Steven Berkoff, Margaret Drabble, Hanif Kureishi, Alison Lurie, Hilary Mantel, D M Thomas, Sue Townsend, Marina Warner, Hugo Williams and a host of other have given hundreds of people the benefit of their passion and experience at the Writers' Lab courses at Skyros.
A considerable number of participants in Many Writers’ Lab sessions have gone on to have books published, or even written on stage plays. Other participants are just so pleased to have discovered the imagination and techniques to overcome writer’s block and procrastination. (“I'll start my novel next year”)
Of course, there's all that a Greek Island can offer, the holidaymaker, too, Greek culture, good food, good weather and great companionship. So participants return home refreshed, relaxed, tanned and with perhaps the glimmering of an idea for a play or even the first chapter of a novel in their luggage. (So, if you have an aspiring writer in your family, get them a Skyros Writers' Lab holiday. Who knows? Maybe they'll give you a name check on Lose Women?)
