The Retreat

The Retreat

Write Toscana offers a tailor-made alternative to other high-pressure writing courses. Each of our courses admits only four fellow writers, and participants are carefully selected with the idea of creating a group that will form a writing community that lasts well beyond the end of your time in Italy. Over the course of seven days, you will have the encouragement to work on what you wish to and also to take risks and experiment – all while immersed in an inspirational setting.

At the heart of the retreat is the benefit of time and space to centre your writing practice: prompts to enliven your work, discussions and tips on planning and structuring, quiet moments of drafting and refining your work. These take place in both formal and casual group and one-to-one settings around the writing table, in cafes and over spirited meals. The aim is to learn not only from course leader Helen McClory but from yourself, discovering your own goals, and taking feedback and courage from both the environment and people around you.

We also believe that what you get out of your retreat depends on gathering the sensory details from the environment around you. Day trips out foster an experience to remember, taking in the stunning countryside, winding streets of honey-coloured stone buildings, delicious food and unforgettable cultural legacy of Tuscany. In the evenings, you’ll sit out in the quiet warm night air drinking a glass of wine, socialising and talking over bookish things and the events of the day. You can take time out to journal, read, or relax. And once the week is done, you will have much to draw on for future stories.

Head to the application page to submit your mission statement for the week, and a sample of your writing to get the process started. These will be carefully reviewed by Helen McClory to make sure you will have the best experience possible at Write Toscana. We hope to hear from you soon!

Costs