Salted Writes - Sticking with it

A super charged week for those who want to finally get a draft in order.

Finishing a book is a slog. Between the restarts, the edits, losing faith in your idea and muggy middles, it can feel hard to keep at it. 

This is a course for writers who have started a project but haven’t finished it. Maybe you have a full first draft, maybe you have five beginnings, maybe you just keep telling people the title and the idea but have yet to truly put pen to paper, either way, you now want to finish it.

This course will help you get out of your own way and allow writing to flow again. With tutor Michael Donkor you’ll learn techniques around character development, structure and pacing, as well as important insights into the practicalities of redrafting and editing. You’ll leave equipped with tools to craft engaging, original work that captivates both your readers and you from start to finish.

Details

Who is it suitable for?
Anyone who has a project they are working on. You don’t need to submit a manuscript, but those who are working on something will get the most out of the course. 
You can be writing fiction, memoir or narrative non-fiction - this is a course about telling stories.

How will it work?

In general the week will be part craft lessons and part writing prompts. You need to bring nothing but pen and paper, or a laptop if that’s how you write. Before the week begins you’ll submit a one page synopsis to the tutor Michael Donkor.

When and what?
Tue - Fri evening October 7 - 10

Oct 7: 6:30-8pm: 
Writing therapy. Michael guides a group discussion introducing each student’s writing (in response to some work they've submitted/synopsis of novel). And writers get to set their intentions for the week and what they need help, guidance on. 

Oct 8: 6:30-8pm:
Inciting incidents, plotting and plot development.

Oct 9: 6:30-8pm:
Characterization and character development.

Oct 10: 6:30-8pm:
Setting goals/outlining next steps - drinks!

Where?
At Salted Books, Lisbon.
Calçada do Marquês de Abrantes 96
1200-720 

This isn’t online, all participants are in the bookshop sitting around the same large writing table, and you’ll be surrounded by books. A bookshop in the evening is a really special space to work from. 

How much?
€275

Wait, are you sure it’s for me?
This course is for anyone who wants to feel unstuck in their writing practice.

Who is it suitable for?

All levels are welcome - we’ve helped published writers who are stuck on their second book and helped new writers start a writing habit they can sustain. 

About tutor Novelist & Critic Michael Donkor:
Michael Donkor is the author of novels Hold and Grow Where They Fall, longlisted for the International Dylan Thomas Prize and shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize. Grow Where They Fall was recently published by Penguin to huge acclaim. He is a writer and critic for the Guardian, the Independent, the TLS and the LARB. Educated at Oxford University, he has taught for over 15 years. He is an editor and judge of this year's Betty Trask Prize and the BBC National Short Story Award.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Minimum Participants

• The course requires a minimum number of participants to run.
• If this minimum is not reached, the course will be cancelled and all payments will be refunded in full.

Refund Policy

• If you cancel your place more than 3 weeks before the course start date, you will receive a full refund -15% admin fee
• If you cancel within 3 weeks of the course start date, no refund will be given, but we will endeavour to get someone to take your place and if this happens a refund -15% will be given.

Responsibility

• • Participants are responsible for ensuring they have the time and ability to take part in the course.