Workshops

 

AUTHOR’S BOOT CAMP with Karen Holmes
Many of my authors find it difficult to focus on their writing because of constant distractions at home. Others feel they need intensive mentoring to move their work forward – that’s a polite way of saying that they’re stuck. Some would benefit from coaching to help them put their ideas down in a way with which readers will identify. A number of writers moving on to new projects are struggling to develop their ideas and find a structure.
In response to an increasing demand for one-to-one guidance, I’m launching Author’s Boot Camp.

Here’s how it works
You will:
• stay in my home, an 18th century cottage in the Yorkshire Dales with a walled garden
• be fed and watered at regular intervals (my husband is a good cook). Coffee, tea and wine always available; Scotch and home-made damson gin if you’re desperate for inspiration
• be given the opportunity/encouraged/forced to sit down and focus on your work undisturbed
• have me on hand to answer queries and share ideas as you write
• have a three-hour session at the end of each day to review your work and discuss aspects of writing that will improve your manuscript and your writing career.

If you wish, you’ll also get the chance to explore some of the countryside around here and I’m happy to provide a rather eccentric dog for company.

Accommodation
You’ll have a large bedroom with king-size bed and en-suite bathroom. Desk and uncomfortable chair provided for you to work at and a luxurious wing chair to relax in.
The cottage is a bit of a Tardis in that it looks tiny from outside but goes on and on and on. There is a sun room overlooking the garden. Large sitting room with wood-burning stove and extremely comfortable sofa in front of the television for when it all gets too much for you.

Daily writing workout
8am to 9am Breakfast
9am to 12 noon Writing time (you’ll get a coffee break…)
12 noon to 2pm Lunch, walk, whatever
2pm to 5pm Writing time (…and a tea break)
5pm to 7pm Review, discussion, writing master class
7pm to 8pm Dinner
8pm to 9pm Review, discussion, writing master class
Of course, these are rough guidelines but you get the idea. And you don’t have to do any washing up.

Fees
Flexible, depending on what you’re looking for.
• For accommodation, full board and all mentoring, £165 per day/night. Discount (20%) for three nights or more.
• If you prefer to ‘live out’, £115 a day covers all mentoring, space in which to write, lunch and dinner. There are plenty of B&Bs in the village.
• Non-writing partners are welcome (if you’re prepared to share a room) at an additional £35 per day/night.

Location
Five miles outside Settle in the North Yorkshire Dales, in the village of Long Preston.
It takes five minutes to get away from the roads and into open countryside where there are plenty of walks to the local moorland and the beck. The village has two pubs…

Easily accessible from the M6 or M1. There is a regular train service to the village from Leeds (which connects with the rest of the world) and I can collect people from Skipton if required.

Boot camp will also be available next to a beach in Galloway, south-west Scotland, during spring/summer.

For more information please contact Karen Holmes Tel 01279 840809 / email karenholmes05@gmail.com

 

Author locked away until she’s produced her quota of words.

Here’s what Patricia Comb had to say after her recent stay:

I have spent a very happy week staying with Karen Holmes, at her Author’s Boot Camp.

If you need to begin a piece of work, have come to a grinding halt and need to kick-start the process, or have lost your way in your work, this is the place to come.

For three or four days you can leave your daily routine behind and focus entirely on your writing. I had laid down my pen at the beginning of December and due to family commitments, then the ‘flu, and Christmas, found myself facing the new year with 9,500 words of a novel begun, but not seeing my way forward.

Enter, Stage Left, Miss Holmes and an invitation to Boot Camp. ‘Twas my salvation. I was provided with a lovely room and en-suite, table to work at and far too inviting armchair. Also, fed and watered, (and then some).

Karen encouraged me back into a good writing routine, listened to the day’s output and critiqued it and helped me to plan for the next day’s work, so that I was not facing a blank screen, unprepared.

I am returning home with more than a quarter of the novel written and am looking forward to continuing with the work, now that I have a structure to my writing day.

‘Do it, Lewis,’ as Inspector Morse would say. And enjoy

 

‘Short Stories’ with Karen Holmes

In this four-hour workshop you will:

• Examine different genres of short stories – action based and character based
• Discuss the differences between writing short stories and longer pieces of fiction
• Work individually, creating an outline for a short story
• Work in small groups developing the short story ideas and to start writing!
• Identify markets for short stories and how to submit them

The workshop will be tailored towards absolute beginners who want to start writing

‘Preparing your Manuscript’ with Karen Holmes

This four-hour workshop focuses on the practical aspects of preparing a manuscript for submission to an editor or agent. This includes looking at:

• Editing your own work
• Copy editing and proofreading
• Layout and design
• Common errors and how to fix them
• Writing a synopsis and covering letter

A very useful workshop for those who already have writing experience or are wanting to know more about how to produce the perfect manuscript for submission to publishers, editors or literary agents.

For further information  please contact us

 

 

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 Previous Workshops

 

July 2012

‘Characterisation’

A workshop with Karen Holmes

This is a four-hour workshop which aims to;

• Explore where characters come from, who they are and how they can be brought to life
• Look at examples  of characterisation in fiction
• Use a variety of role play techniques to develop characters in your writing
• Examine what influences readers’ perceptions of characters – names, use of accents, speech, etc., find ways to introduce different characters to readers
• Work in pairs/small groups to develop characters from your own writing
• Share work and give feedback on each others’ work

The workshop will be  tailored towards writers who are already working on their own manuscripts

Come and enjoy a collaborative & hands on afternoon
SATURDAY14TH JULY
1pm – 6pm
at The Stable Yard at Dalton Hall, Burton in Kendal

Cost of Workshop:  £45 per person inc. refreshments

 For further information or to book your place

please click here to book online

 or contact Carol Reynolds

– carol@2qt.co.uk

June 2012         

‘Introduction to Travel Writing’

with Zoë Dawes
aka The Quirky Traveller 

Turn your dream of becoming a writer into reality in 2012. 

• Explore what makes ‘good’ travel writing and give it a go
• Transform holiday jottings & make the most of a travel journal
• Find out how to create a travel blog and how to use Social Media
• Discuss writing travel articles and how to get published

No previous experience of writing necessary – just a love of travel and a readiness to try something different.

Zoë Dawes is a travel writer and has been voted in the Top 50 Travel Bloggers (USA ranking) and in Top 50 Online Travel Influencers. She has appeared on TV and radio, both in the UK and America. She was recently voted Britain’s Best Travel Blogger.

The Stable Yard, Dalton Hall, Burton in Kendal, LA6 1NJ

SATURDAY 23RD JUNE 2012  

9.30am – 1pm

£45 including refreshments

please click here to book online

or contact Carol Reynolds

carol@2qt.co.uk
Tel: 07515555106.

Blogging Workshop – with Zoe Dawes – more details in very near future!

May 2012

‘Getting Published’

Preparing your work for publication with Karen Holmes

This is a practical workshop for people who are already writing, and feel the need for encouragement and guidance or just need a fresh outlook.
The workshop will cover:

• the pitfalls authors face when working with plot, characters and settings
• managing the difficulties you may encounter when you’re halfway through your book.
• development activities to help establish your narrative voice, grow your
• characters and make your settings come alive
• technical issues such as avoiding cliché, writing dialogue,
• preparing your manuscript for edit and synopsis writing.

Karen Holmes has been working as a writer, editor, proof-reader, publishing consultant and creative writing tutor for more than twenty years. She has authored a novel, ten works of non-fiction, 28 adaptations, and published numerous short stories. Karen has developed creative writing distance learning courses for and tutored at the University of East London. She is a winner of the Extensive Reading Foundation Language Learner Literature Award.

Come and enjoy an informative & relaxed afternoon
SATURDAY MAY 19TH
2pm – 6pm
at The Stable Yard at Dalton Hall, Burton in Kendal

Cost of Workshop:  £35 per person inc. refreshments

 For further information or to book your place

please click here to book online or contact Carol Reynolds – carol@2qt.co.uk  – Tel: 07515555106

 

 

2QT Author – Book signings 2012

Due to the increasing amount of Books Signings and Author events we have created a separate Post for these – so do look out for the monthly posts of upcoming events that our authors are holding.

 

If you are interested in this workshop or any writing weekends please do register your interest via our contacts page. Or register to our mailing list for further updates.

April 2012 – Author’s Day

Saturday 21st April 2012  from 2pm-4pm
The Stable Yard, Dalton Hall, Burton in Kendal
–We are situated approximately 6 miles between junction 35 & 36, off the m6 in a pleasant rural location with adequate parking

 

Do you have a manuscript ready? Thinking about independent publishing? Come along to our 3rd annual Author’s day:

• Gain some insight into the different options of getting your work published
• Find out how 2QT’s publishing approach differs from other publishing routes
• Hear advice and tips from our editor on how to prepare your manuscript for submission
• Help and advice on eliminating and minimizing some of your costs
  
  

Meet the 2QT team to find out how we can support you in the publication of your book, from editing and cover design through to printing and distribution. We also produce and publish eBooks and Audiobooks.

2QT published authors will be on hand to share their personal experiences and stories.

 

Please reply to carol@2qt.co.uk if you would like to attend the free Author’s Day. Could you put “Author’s Day” as the subject, and provide the names of those attending and a contact phone number in the email. ( A confirmation along with the directions to the venue will be emailed to all attendees). Or contact Carol on 07515555106 if you would like some more information, or cannot make it on the day but would like to talk to 2QT and learn more about us.

 

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