Join me on inspirational writing holidays in Portugal 2015 and 2016
GOOD WRITING is about discovering ways to break away from the ordinary and the routine, about finding stories that are important to you and telling them in the way only you can. A week long holiday in a supportive and creative environment will help you do just that. That’s why I’m very excited to join the team of an England-based arts company offering unique and affordable writing holidays in a small town just 30 minutes from Lisbon airport. AND you can bring your non-writing partner with you….(more on that below).
I’m running workshops that are open to beginners who have always wanted to write as well as to emerging and more experienced writers – so you can come with a work in progress stowed in your luggage or just an empty page (in fact a lot of empty pages – we’re going to do lots of writing).
Here’s an idea of the subjects that we will cover (but as numbers are small I can make sure that we look at every aspect of writing that you’re interested in)
Creating characters that walk off the page
Creative non-fiction: memoir, biography, travel writing
Description – creating the sense of ‘being there’ in the reader
Finding inspiration – defeating the blank page
Suspense
Genre writing from magic realism to horror, romance and writing for children.
This is a confidence-building workshop where you will be able to take risks, try something new, discover what kind of writer you want to be.
Before the course starts you can send me up to 3000 words of your writing. Perhaps you have a short story you would like me to look at, or part of a novel or memoir that you would like feedback on. Or you might want to send a selection of work so I have an idea of your writing style and your interests. Don’t worry if you have nothing to send – this is an opportunity not a requirement!
You’ll go home with a full notebook, a head full of ideas and fuelled with the motivation to continue writing.
This is what the week will look like – it’s not all writing, but it is all inspiration and stimulation for writing.
Monday – arrival, informal gathering, evening meal and drink (included)
Tuesday – breakfast in Cafe downstairs (included) workshop session, lunch, workshop session, free evening.
Wednesday – breakfast – 10.00am departure for Tour (lunch included) – return approximately 18.00.
Thursday – breakfast, workshop session, lunch, workshop session, free evening.
Friday – breakfast, Fernando Pessoa Foundation*
Saturday and Sunday are Free Days – though there may be a Workshop on Saturday morning if we are able to go the Fernando Pessoa Foundation on Friday.
*subject to availability
Day Tours include a restaurant lunch and will be selected from the places below depending upon weather:
Evora the Roman city in the Alentejo south of Lisbon. Among the fascinating buildings, Cathedrals, Churches, Palaces, is the unique Chapel of Bones. Private guided tour of the unique ‘Painted House’. Lunch taken in Evora.
Sintra and the UNESCO World Heritage ranked Quinta da Regaleira a mystical gothic ‘playground’ guaranteed to sharpen the senses. Lunch taken in Sintra.
The Royal Library at the Palace of Mafra, the depository of the ‘banned books’ of Catholic Church.
Obidos – possibly the most photographed village in Portugal, and the Cathedral Monastery of Alcobaça, the resting place of Portuguese Kings and the Tomb of Pedro & Inês, Portugal’s Romeo and Juliet.
Convent of Christ, Tomar, the base for the Knights Templar in Portugal. One of the most astounding buildings in Europe.
Right, down to business WHEN
Workshop dates:
WEEK ONE – 21st September 2015
WEEK TWO- 28th September 2015
WEEEK THREE – 4th April 2016
WEEK FOUR – 11th April 2016
To find out more and book your place, visit FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Even more important business, HOW MUCH
£495.00 includes: Accommodation, first night dinner/reception, breakfast (Tue – Fri), lunch on Workshop days, Tour (minibus) with restaurant lunch, Workshop and tuition.
The price covers a stay of 7 nights. Sat/Sun are ‘free days’ – no meals provided.
PARTNERS / SIGNIFICANT OTHERS – can be accommodated in the Double Rooms for £275 price includes accommodation, breakfast, first night dinner/reception, breakfast (Tue – Fri), Tour with lunch.
The majority of accommodation is double or twin bedrooms so we can accommodate a Workshop Participant and a non-participant Partner/SO – a great opportunity as most evenings are free-time and your accommodation is booked through to the Monday morning effectively offering a free-time weekend. Partners/SO may join the Wednesday excursion tour.
NOTE:- 10% discount if two people are attending Workshop and sharing a bedroom.
ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
Maximum number of Participants for each Workshop is 6 (unless sharing bedrooms)
We have 1 twin room – ensuite, 1 double – ensuite, 2 doubles with shared bathroom, 1 double and 1 single with shared bathroom. If you visit www.amado-apartments.com for more information about the accommodation.
For more information and to Book your Place visit First Impressions website
And you can always drop me a line to find out more – use the contact form on the left or write to me bridgetwhelan AT hotmail.co.uk Remember to put Portugal in the subject line
photo credit:
One : Lisbon via photopin (license)
Two DSC06545 via photopin (license)
Three: Sunset at Lisboa via photopin (license)
Four Inside one the apartments: First Impressions
6 comments on “Join me on inspirational writing holidays in Portugal 2015 and 2016”
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BRIDGET WHELAN writer 
Sounds grreat, will keep it in mind, Vx
Do….the workshops will be a real injection of creativity and I’ve fallen in love with this Portugesue town. I was there in May and had a great time.
Can’t come this year, but will keep it in mind for future years. Can I just ask is the accommodation accessible for wheelchairs?
The apartments are on the first and second floors (there’s a cafe on the ground floor where we will have breakfast). I was there in May when I was using a crutch all the time after two knee replacement operations and managed the stairs and my luggage…but it’s not suitable for wheelchair use I’m afraid.
Ok, thanks for letting me know.
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