This workshop is for practicing and beginning writers alike, focusing less on theory and particular writing forms than on the creative act of writing itself. It is packed with a wide variety of writing activities purposely designed to protect your creative instincts from the critical voice that stops you in your tracks before you even get started. You will find yourself so thoroughly involved in the game-like structures within which you are working you won’t have time to sit back in judgment. But when you do sit back you will see that your creations more often than not meet those “difficult to verbalize” requirements of the piece that “works.”

From a technical standpoint you will increase your powers of observation and learn to enter a state of creative flow. But when the state of flow stubbornly evades you, you will learn to work around it, transforming the qualities you perceive in yourself as weaknesses - as well as the obstacles you find in the world around you - into creative assets. You will learn to work with what’s in front of you thereby closing the gap between where you are and where you want to be as a writer. But most importantly you will learn to be your own writing coach, designing your own personally-tailored strategies for optimising your creative output.

Dianne Ferrari has been guiding writers out of the forest of creative self-doubt for over 20 years. Her understanding of the creative process and her skills in a wide range of writing forms - from short stories to screenplays to poetry to essays and the myriad of hybrids in between - make her uniquely qualified to help writers who feel stuck, no matter what writing genre they want to work in.

Dianne is equally skilled in the visual and performing arts and utilizes these talents in the stimulating activities she creates. You might find yourself drawing, dancing or acting your way - not out of a paper bag - but into a short story, poem or play. And as you make connections between art forms you will begin to fathom the mystery - the very heart - of the creative impulse. But fear not. Absolutely no skill or experience in any of these areas is required and you are at all times free to “pass” on any activity in which you don’t feel comfortable and to thoroughly enjoy a moment’s respite and to sit back in judgment.

Dianne has a Masters Degree in Creative Art from Hunter College in New York City. She is a working writer and artist in addition to her many years of experience in the field of creativity development and teacher training in language and the arts - both in New York City and throughout Portugal.

Courses begin on a Monday.

DAY ONE.
Focus: Observation, Free Association and Creative Flow
Our first day will involve a series of fast-paced individual and group writing exercises designed to free your imagination by quelling the critical voice in your head.

DAY TWO
Focus: Character, Narrative and Point of View
Throughout today’s activities we will work towards identifying the key ingredients necessary to bring a character to life and move a story forward.

DAY THREE
Focus: Dialogue. A playful day of unearthing our “shadow” and transforming what we often (and counter-productively) consider our “neurotic, obsessive/compulsive and self-destructive” habits and attitudes into literary gold.

DAY FOUR
Focus: Literary Genres and the blurry lines between them...
Today’s activities are designed to help you define or redefine the kind of writing you want to do.

DAY FIVE
We will plan this day together.

The Cost.

Accommodation: This price is based on six nights in shared rooms/apartments. If you wish to have your own room please add €120.
Camping is also available at Monte Rosa. If you choose to camp the price for the course will be €560 per person. (fully inclusive.)
Note: If you live locally and do not require accommodation or meals you can attend this course for €370.

Terms of Payment: We ask you to pay 50% deposit on booking and the remainder at Monte Rosa on commencement of the course.

Methods of Payment: Euro/Sterling cheque, cash or credit/debit cards.

Discounts: For couples booking together we can offer a 5% discount. Groups of four + can receive a 10% discount.

Flights (European countries): You will need to fly to Faro. We have negotiated deals with EasyJet and Monarch for groups of 10+ and can offer substantial deals. For individuals or couples we suggest you visit their web sites by clicking on EasyJet and Monarch

Flights (Countries outside Europe) Generally you will fly to Lisbon and get a connecting flight to Faro but we can pick you up from Lisbon international airport if you wish.

If you wish to be informed when courses have been scheduled please fill in the waiting list form below or contact me direct. Click here