‘Writers don’t need tricks or gimmicks or even necessarily need to be the smartest fellows on the block. At the risk of appearing foolish, a writer sometimes needs to be able to just stand and gape at this or that thing – a sunset or an old shoe – in absolute and simple amazement.’
- Raymond Carver
Hello, nature-lovers and writers of all descriptions!
Have you ever wanted to write about the wild and wonderful world that sits beyond your four walls?
You may love birds, meadows, forests and all in between. You may also want to write your observations down, for yourself, for friends and family, or for a wider audience.
But how do we make our words sing? How do we take a reader back to the sheer wonder of a tidal pool discovered as a child, or the delight at discovering a heather-clad hillside? The sheen on a bird's wing in flight . . . the sound of crunching leaves underfoot?
Let us take you on a mindful journey into the gorgeous Sussex countryside in autumn – immerse yourself in nature and the thrill of writing about it with writer and editor Robin Pridy. Embrace the crisp air and colourful glow of autumn as you craft stories from the world around you. Become motivated and inspired by your surroundings, learning authentic ways to put your feelings and observations on the page.
This small group retreat will include a woodland walk as well as writing exercises, a reading list and a one-to-one session with Robin. After the workshop, Robin will provide an editorial assessment on a completed short piece of nature writing.
About your workshop leader
Robin Pridy is an experienced editor and writer for both children and adults, with an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. She writes poems, short stories, children's and adult non-fiction, and is currently finishing her first novel. She lives in the countryside in East Sussex. You can find out more at www.robinpridy.com.
What’s included
2 nights in one of our cosy writing cabins, your very own creative haven for the weekend
A guided woodland walk
A one-to-one with writer and editor Robin Pridy
Bespoke writing exercises based on your interests, and an editorial assessment based on up to 2,000 words of your writing
A surprise book gift chosen by our local independent bookseller at Rother Books
A group bonfire, with historical hot chocolate from The Copper Pot
A posy of autumn blooms from our cut flower beds
Optional
Delicious pre-prepared meals from Great Park Farm Shop
A walk round the beautiful lake at nearby Ashburnham Place, a Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown-designed landscape with diverse habitats. Interesting flora and fauna abound, and parts of the woodland there are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). They also make for spectacular leaf peeping! Plus there’s there’s a walled kitchen garden, which operates on no-dig principles, and an orangery cafe. (Please note, you will need your own transport for this visit… let us know if that may be a problem and we will do our best to arrange a car share).
Itinerary
Before your retreat
To help us tailor the experience to you, you’ll receive a questionnaire about what you want to look at, learn or work on in terms of nature writing. You’ll also get a series of exercises in the days before you arrive to help start a habit of noticing the details in nature.
On arrival
You’ll have a short orientation before you settle into your cabin (with Sussex tea and biscuits) to take a look at the book and writing exercises left for you by Robin.
Spend a gentle evening reading, writing or stargazing from the comfort of your bed. Each cabin has it’s own stargazing window, offering a beautiful way to rest and reconnect with the natural world.
Saturday
We’ll begin the day with a woodland walk in historic Powdermill Woods. It’s a landscape full of stories, with its charcoal once used for gunpowder making… legend has it Guy Fawkes even sourced the gunpowder for his famous plot from there. Today, it’s a much more peaceful place, yet it remains a working woodland. It’s coppiced in the traditional way, producing chestnut stakes, fencing, rose arches and more. In fact some of the timber for the cabins, including the cladding and deck rails, came direct from Powdermill.
With sweet chestnuts scattering the paths and autumn colour all around, it’s sure to be an inspiring start to the day.
Afterwards, you’ll each have a one-to-one with Robin, to help you get started on the piece of writing you’d like to work on. It’s your chance to ask any questions or get help on particular areas you’re stuck on. If you already have a work in progress, or something you’d like to edit, Robin can offer tips and guidance.
At the end of a nourishing day of writing, there’ll be hot chocolate round the bonfire. You’re very welcome to share what you’ve written if you wish (but absolutely no pressure to do so).
Sunday
You’ll have the chance to take Sunday at your own pace. Enjoy a solo stroll along the 1066 Country walk, visit Ashburnham Place or spend more time writing in your cosy cabin.
After your retreat
You can send Robin up to 2,000 words of what you’ve been working on for her feedback. She will then send you a 1-2 page editorial assessment.
Cost: £460
You can reserve your place with a 30% non-refundable deposit of £138. The balance is due 6 weeks before the retreat start date. Please see our terms and conditions for details of our cancellation policy.
How to book:
Email us at hello@starcroftfarmcabins.co.uk. Cabins are assigned on a first come, first served basis.