Writting Retreat with Douglas KENNEDY

“Can I teach you how to write? No, but in two days, I can introduce you to the fundamental building blocks of writing - and teach you how to see the world through the eyes of a writer, that is to see life itself as a ongoing story full of plot twists.” D. Kennedy

In the inspiring setting of the Hôtel Royal’s 47-acre grounds, surrounded by the waters of Lake Geneva and the peaks of the French Alps, a place once nourished by the words of Marcel Proust and Patrick Modiano, twelve writing enthusiasts will be invited on an inner journey to find their voice, tame the blank page, explore their imagination and structure their narrative. A weekend in which time stands still, mentored by a master storyteller, Douglas Kennedy.

Saturday 4th October:
- Morning: three 45-minute writing workshops led by Douglas Kennedy, covering planning, exposition and point of view. 
- Free time for lunch: time for introspection to let the ideas settle, write or just reflect.
- Afternoon: one-to-one 30-minute consultations with the author to refine a writing project, talk about a manuscript in progress or explore an embryonic idea.
- Evening: dinner in the company of  Douglas Kennedy, in the inviting, intimate space of the Michelin-starred restaurant Les Fresques’ cookery school - a time for informal discussions about words and wonderful food.

Sunday 5th October:
- Morning: another round of group workshops (3 x 45 minutes) to go deeper into the characters, narrative structure, and how to deal with creative blocks
- Free time for lunch
- Continuation of the one-to-one consultations with the author
 

A retreat that stretches beyond the weekend 

After the retreat, each participant will go home with a literary project underway -  a short story, the start of a novel, a personal account or fragments of fiction - that they can submit to Douglas Kennedy. The author will provide a detailed review with comments, suggestions and encouragements, so that each participant can nurture their manuscript confidently and with rigour.