ALMOST FAMOUS
Take your writing to a new level. Join a small group of adventurous writers at an intensive autumn writing workshop in the enchanting Chateau de Lucens, 40 minutes from either Bern or Lausanne.
You’re almost famous. You’ve written a travel article about the hidden beaches of Molokai, or a personal essay on how you got divorced and became a sadhu during your vacation in Nepal or a short story about a sensitive gangster that your sister thinks should be made into a major motion picture starring Brad Pitt. But you need a skilled coach to make constructive criticisms, to give you some professional tips and encouragement.
Here’s your chance to get constructive advice on your novel, short story, article or personal essay.
Almost Famous brings together for the first time two of the world’s leading writing coaches -- Paul Spencer Sochaczewski and Gary Goshgarian.
In the weekend retreat we’ll explore the basics of all good storytelling – plot, character, theme, setting, point of view, dialogue. We’ll combine group lectures and discussions in the tapestry-rich Salle de Justice, zen-music-speedwriting exercises, the chance to get one-to-one coaching from Gary or Paul, and plenty of insights, laughs and good company. Our goal is that by the end of the weekend some of you will have taken your writing closer to a finished manuscript, and everyone will leave with an understanding of how to reach your specific writing goals.
The workshop is most appropriate for active (but not necessarily published) writers who want to jump-start their writing careers. Participants will be asked to submit a work in progress (maximum 2,000 words) at least three weeks before the workshop.
The coaches:
Gary Goshgarian is an award-winning teacher of creative writing and popular culture at Northeastern University in Boston – his courses include science fiction, horror fiction and detective fiction. Gary has edited three college writing textbooks. He has written five novels, and two of them -- Elixir and Gray Matter, written under the pen name Gary Braver (see Amazon.com for reviews), have been optioned for film by director Ridley Scott. Noted mystery writer Robert B. Parker has said that Goshgarian’s writing: “Packs the emotional wallop and tension of a Stephen King novel with the cutting-edge science and engrossing pace of Robin Cook or Michael Crichton. Riveting from page one!”
Paul Spencer Sochaczewski has written more than 600 by-lined articles for publications such as the International Herald Tribune, Wall Street Journal, GQ, CNN Traveller, Geographical, International Wildlife and Reader’s Digest. His writing workshops – Exploring Your Personal Odyssey and Wake Up Writing – have helped hundreds of writers in 25 countries find their true voices and write with honesty, depth and music. Paul also teaches creative writing each summer at the University of Hawaii. He co-authored Soul of the Tiger: People and Nature in Southeast Asia. Paul’s comic conservation novel set in Borneo, Redheads, is about tribal uprisings; corrupt government officials and s chizophrenic orangutans. Daniel Quinn, author of Ishmael, said “Redheads does for the struggle to save the rain forests of Borneo what Catch 22 did for the struggle to stay alive in World War II.”
Workshop Location: Château de Lucens
One of the chateau’s previous owners, Adrian Conan Doyle (son of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) wrote: “The first sight of the Chateau de Lucens is a moment to remember. Majestically dominating the hill [it brings to mind] the most fantastic childish dreams of an imaginary feudal castle.”
As soon as you cross the ancient drawbridge you’ll realise why this 11th century, privately-owned castle is such a magical place to improve your writing. There are dungeons, mysterious towers and stone parapets to explore, and glorious interiors aglow with wall-paintings and polished antique furniture. Meals and coffee breaks normally take place in the sun-filled courtyard or in the Salle de Justice, a magnificent Renaissance stateroom. Or you might like to curl up with your manuscript in the intimate garden pavilion or the exquisite Belvedere.
Sleeping accommodation is arranged in the comfortable, antique-filled Château guest-house – each room has private washing facilities and its own charm.
Course costs:
Total cost for the weekend inclusive of tuition, 2 nights accommodation, all meals, wine and refreshment: 550-620 Swiss francs (depending on shared or single accommodation)
