Creative Writing

Have you always wanted to write but have never found the time?

Do you need inspiration and stimulus?

Do you want a holiday with a difference and to stay in an historic setting with history, romance, mystery and beautiful scenery... then attending a writing workshop at Chez Teresa may be just what you are looking for.

History

Teresa has run workshops for universities and colleges, the BBC and for a number of different theatres. She has also worked on some key arts festivals throughout England programming and running a range of creativity courses including creative writing in tandem with established authors such as Leone Ross, as well as independently. Teresa writes both fiction and arts journalism and is currently producing a short anthology which includes some of her impressions of life in France which she plans to include in the Chez Teresa Blog 'Fontwrite'.

Teresa has also completed an Open College of the Arts Course in Creative Writing, Her tutor was Helen Dunmore, where She obtained an A Grade and a distinction.

Teresa has a Masters in Arts Management and has had a number of pieces published over the years as well as having edited an anthology of short-stories by different women writers called Eve's Millennium. She also attended Arvon Courses as a participant and has been involved with the Charleston Literary Festival as a co-ordinator and reviewer. Her most recent project was working with young aspiring writers running workshops and editing their work.


Unravel your Creativity at Chez Teresa

Come to Fontevraud and 'unleash your creativity'.

Have you ever wanted to write creatively, but have had little opportunity to express it? Have you ever wanted more from a holiday then just sight-seeing? Do you already have a piece of writing that you would like to develop and get feed-back on and have an opportunity to stay in a stunningly beautiful and historic location? If so then 'Unleash your Creativity' may be just what you are looking for and we can structure a programme to suit your creative needs. So whether you want a one-day taster writing workshop or a more developed three day programme intertwined with an itinerary of visits we can create the best possible workshop for you. At Chez Teresa we have two lovely en-suite rooms, but for larger groups we can suggest accommodation for you in the locale.

So whether you come with clear ideas as to what you want to write - a short-story or novel that you just need a catalyst to get you started - or whether you would like us to suggest some possible themes and scenarios for you to explore, we feel confident that you will get something from this programme. We will provide you with themes (if required), location, hand-outs, some access to computers and a recommended reading list, plus some basic writing materials. We also recommend that you bring a camera so that you can combine writing with photography as an aide-memoir - especially if you choose to specialise in an historical approach and elect to look at the past through a 21st Century window.

'Unleash your Creativity': This program is about starting to write... it is not meant to be a thoroughly structured programme, but rather a launch-pad for personal creativity and exploration in an inspirational context. There will however, be a workshop element and the tutor will be on hand throughout your stay to discuss your work should she be required. For more advanced writers we will have a discussion before the visit in order to map out the most beneficial approach. The long-term intention is to create an on-line published anthology of work and it will be possible to continue a dialogue with the tutor following the programme in order to achieve this.

'We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are'.. so wrote Max Depree and we hope that by attending a workshop at Chez Teresa you will develop as a writer whilst staying with us in the inspirational setting of the Loire Valley just a stones throw from the inspiring Fontevraud Abbey, resting place of Plantagenat Kings and Queens, including the romantic and legendary Eleanor of Aquitaine and her son Richard the Lionheart.

Contact us for more info...