So, about a year ago I won this competition
– The William Soutar Prize. And that was a thrill, because I got to read out
from my winning piece to an audience at Perth Library and they said such warm
things about my story, and Zoe Strachan was the judge. Anyway, as if that wasn't enough, the prize was a
week on an Arvon course of my choice.
I chose to go to Lumb Bank near Hebden
Bridge. Ted Hughes once lived there. I chose the course not for the course but
because it fell neatly within my holidays as a school teacher. I didn’t know
what to expect and I drove all the way there – which is probably the furthest I
have ever driven myself, and it was motorway and I don't really like motorway driving.
The title of the course was something about
‘How to beat your demons’ – writing demons that is. And there were two tutors:
Emma Jane Unsworth and Stephen May. And upon arrival I discovered that I was
the only male signed up to the course along with fifteen women writers. I was
consigned to the woodshed – they said it was for my safety, only it wasn’t like
any woodshed you could imagine: it had it’s own toilet and shower (en suite)
and a comfy bed and two windows and a desk that just said ‘please sit at me and
write’.
The week just flew by and I loved it so
much. The other writers were so passionate about writing and so warm and
welcoming. And the workshops were fun and we all had lots of time to just write
and write and write - or talk about writing, which is good, too. And the food was just fantastic and there was cake and
puddings and wine. And all set within the most wonderful countryside. Oh and I saw a nuthatch, which is my first ever.
Yes, so what I am trying to say is that if
you are thinking of doing one of these Arvon courses, well, you should. I will
again, I am sure. And you meet such lovely people on these courses, too. And
Emma Jane and Stephen were such wonderful tutors and so encouraging and warm. Yes,
so thank you to one and all: The Perth Library for running the competition; Zoe
Strachan for picking me as the winner; to everyone at Arvon who helped with the
booking and the whole organization of the week; to the tutors, Em and Stephen
for their fizz and their fun; and to fifteen lovely ladies who made the week so
memorable for me. Thank you!
(PS on the far left of the picture above, that thing that looks like a wee lean-to, well that's the woodshed - my woodshed is how I think of it now!)
(PS on the far left of the picture above, that thing that looks like a wee lean-to, well that's the woodshed - my woodshed is how I think of it now!)
