Head overseas to a creative writing course or writing retreat this summer
© www.limnisa.com
With summer well and truly upon us, our minds are turning to writing retreats and creative writing courses overseas, particularly the balmy Mediterranean countries of southern Europe. As an introduction to a new series of interviews with the people behind the scenes at creative holiday centres, Judy Darley offers an overview of the venues where you can nurture your writing this summer. Parts of this feature were previously published by Writing Magazine and Spanish Homes Magazine.
There’s something about being overseas that awakens our creativity. New sights, sounds, smells and experiences fill us with a thirst for new adjectives and, as we draw inspiration from our surroundings, we can find ourselves producing some of our best writing.
Throughout the summer months, temporary communities of writers blossom in the Mediterranean sunshine, strolling along paths dappled by the shade of olive trees and wallowing in glistening swimming pools, all the while composing their next poem, short story, script or the pivotal sentence of their novel. For most of us, creative holidays provide a glimpse of heaven, while for the organisers of these retreats and holidays, it is a way of life.
“I wanted to open a centre where people have space to reflect and develop their latent talents,” says Mariel Hacking, who runs the Limnisa Centre on the Greek island of Methana with her partner, author Philip Wooderson. “To do this it’s helpful to be somewhere totally different, preferably somewhere beautiful without all the usual distractions!”
The perfect setting for creative writing
The laidback attitude of the Mediterranean nations, along with a backdrop of glorious landscapes and fascinating histories populated by some of the world’s most prolific artists, authors and musicians makes these countries ideal for creative writing holidays and retreats.
Natasha Smith runs a creative writing centre called In the Write Light in Tarifa on Spain’s Costa de la Luz. “Tarifa’s location, history and culture attracts an eclectic mix of artists, travellers and sports fanatics making it a vibrant and ever-changing chic hotspot,” Natasha says. “However, it also possesses an enigmatic laid-back bohemian atmosphere. For me, these two contrasting elements make Tarifa perfect as a creative holiday destination.”
For Natasha, the setting is crucial to the success of her courses. “Tarifa is special. It is the meeting point of oceans, continents, nations and cultures. Walking around Tarifa’s old town is to be lost in time. Walking along its beaches is to be overwhelmed by nature’s beauty. I defy anyone to come here and not be inspired to create!”
Jacqueline Crooks, a graduate of the MA in Creative Writing at Goldsmiths College, runs the Llano de la Luz writing retreat, and agrees about the importance of the location. “The retreat is nestled on the edge of a beautiful valley of almond and olive trees, about 20 minutes walking distance from the village of Comares, one of the highest white villages in Andalucia. The peaceful setting is ideal for writers. Up here in the mountains you can feel as if you are stepping back in time, and that can be useful for a writer, that feeling of stepping outside your world.”
Lois and Bill Breckon run writing courses at a renovated watermill in the heart of Lunigiana, Tuscany, and find this part of Italy just as ideal. “We try to make the watermill a centre of artistic excellence, and where better than in Tuscany? The scenery near us is stunning and the lifestyle, music, art and architecture all reflect centuries of Italian culture. The watermill is secluded, but not isolated, and is an ideal location for concentrated work, regeneration and inspiration.”
Kerry Eielson and John Fanning chose the location for La Muse Writers’ and Artists’ Retreat in the south of France for both emotional and practical reasons. “In autumn 2000, we were living in Manhattan, working 70 hours a week. We couldn’t hope to buy our own apartment in New York City, but then we found a 15-room manor in southern France for a very affordable price, even for two writers in their twenties. There and then, the dream was hatched to buy the house and run it as a writers’ and artists’ retreat, which we did!”
Tove Cecilie Fasting has been living in northern Greece for 15 years, so choosing her Mediterranean location was simple. “I’m married to a Greek man and two years ago we decided to turn part of our home into a holiday business, Kairos Holidays. My aim is to create a centre where creative people from all over the world meet up to work, learn and discuss - and hopefully leave rejuvenated, with loads of new ideas and inspiration.”
When Tove and her husband started discussing the idea of running a creative holiday company, Tove was uncertain the business would be viable as their location is so far from the typical tourist trail. “Now I realise this is the main attraction! There is an authenticity here that’s harder and harder to find. I run the only accommodation for visitors in the village and though there are several hotels down by the sea, five minutes drive away, they’re mainly visited by Greeks on holidays. This really is a getaway. It’s extremely peaceful.”
Inspiration for creative writers
Tove loves seeing how her guests respond to the beauty of their location. “In everyday life it’s easy to build up a lot of stress, but here you can take a deep sigh, let it go - and let your creativity flow. I love it when my guests, after a day or two, tell me how they have started to take siesta. I think this totally laid-back atmosphere is very creative; it aids you getting into the flow of writing.”
The views on Methana provide a wealth of inspiration for both Mariel and her guests. “Its mountainous, volcanic landscape gives it a deep brooding quality that fits with the serious mood of people who want to concentrate and not be afraid to go deep,” she says. “Limnisa itself is right on the edge of the shore, in an otherwise empty cove, with the most incredible views out across the Saronic Gulf. From here you can see four islands and the mountains of the Peloponnese. When Philip teaches our courses he uses the powerful feeling of place and time you get on Methana to inspire the imagination. What could be better than to write to the sound of the sea?”
The benefits of writing courses and writing retreats
Running the holidays can be as rewarding as attending them, as Sue and Gordon Kind, who run creative holidays at Finca el Cerrillo on the edge of Spain’s Tejada Natural Park, confirm.
“We wanted to work together in an environment where we would meet interesting people in the fresh air and sunshine,” says Sue. “Our guests are usually pleased with what they achieve - generally much more than they thought they could. The small friendly nature of our 12-room hotel means that everyone gets to know each other and the atmosphere is fun and very supportive.”
For Mariel, running Liminsa has been the realisation of a dream. “What I find most rewarding is seeing the difference in people between when they arrive and when they leave at the end of their visit. Nearly everyone has been touched by the beauty and calmness of Limnisa and most say they’d like to return.”
Jacqueline Crooks sees the opportunity to meet other writers as being one of the major benefits. “They’re all interesting, talented people. It is also satisfying seeing the guests forge friendships with each other. In an environment like this, where people are more relaxed, friendships are formed more easily, people have time to listen to each other.”
Kerry Eielson and John Fanning enjoy the broad variety of people their retreat attracts. “Our attendees run the gamut from very young and talented to very established and talented. It makes for a great mix, and a familial feel. At the same time we are very serious about providing a structure that encourages work on a creative project. It’s very quiet in our hallways during quiet hours! We love creating a community of people who stay in touch and sometimes collaborate in the future.”
Zoë Clarke and Lee Pennington run cultural holidays in Catalonia, Spain, via their company, www.7daywonder.com. “The reason we went for creative holidays apart from our own instinctive creativity- was that it means something else is going on. It isn’t just people sitting around in the sunshine, there is a mysterious dynamic that gives people the unimpeded freedom to create, speak and do what they really want.”
Related posts:
- Tove Fasting of Kairos Holidays discusses how creative writing courses can inspire your writing - In the fourth of our interviews with the people behind...
- Natasha Smith of In the Write Light explains why Tarifa is the perfect place unleash your creativity - In the fifth part in our series of features on...
- Jacqueline Crooks of Llano de la Luz describes how stepping outside your world benefits your writing - In the third of our interviews with the people behind...
- Sue Kind at Finca el Cerrillo explains why Spanish summers suits their creative courses - Sue and Gordon Kind run cultural holidays at Finca el...
- Mariel Hacking of the Limnisa Centre describes the wonder of writing to the sound of the sea - We talk to Mariel Hacking who runs the Limnisa Centre...
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