Programme

At TLC Literary Adventures we want you to enjoy a writing and arts experience like no other.

“The week at Casa Ana was unforgettable. Although I was wondering how I would manage being with a group of strangers for a week, I soon realised that everyone was in the same position and that we were each there to learn from each other. The teaching sessions were thought-provoking and beautifully prepared. The setting was exquisite and the accommodation very comfortable. The company was delightful. I would highly recommend TLC Literary Adventure to anyone who is serious about reading and writing.”  – TLC Literary Adventure Participant

Literary Adventure Itinerary

AUTUMN LITERARY ADVENTURE September 2nd-8th 2023, tutor Julia Bell

For a list of previous tutors see here: Tutors

Our tutored Literary Adventure programme is designed for a maximum of twelve people, and is for all writers working with prose in the genres of fiction, memoir and creative non-fiction. Published writers, those with a medium amount of experience, and committed beginners are all welcome. We hope all attendees will find writing within our supportive environment stimulating and inspiring.

A series of morning workshops will offer a range of exercises in order to generate ideas, and to help focus the mind. Specific areas of the writing craft (such as dialogue, narrative voice, sense of place) will be addressed. The retreat is structured to offer attendees time and space to write between sessions, though writers will also have the opportunity to discuss their projects in short one-to-one sessions towards the end of the week. There is an indoor studio with comfortable chairs, and an outdoor patio with views onto the mountains, which writers are welcome to use in their down time. We encourage writers to share ideas and insights with each other, and have found that many of our groups stay in touch beyond the Literary Adventure, offering supportive feedback and a treasured sense of community.

Participants can share their work by reading aloud if they wish on the final evening. Do also feel free to bring with you cherished work by other writers which you may want to share, and other materials to inspire you throughout the week.

Although this is a week dedicated to prose, the tutors also love poetry and enjoy an open discussion of creative ideas – an optional poetry session, and a session on how to pitch work to the publishing industry will be offered to those who wish to attend. One-to-ones will be available to those writers with publishing-specific questions, with Literary Adventure co-tutor and TLC Director Aki Schilz.

Our aim, with TLC Literary Adventures, is to create an atmosphere of celebration and sharing of creative work. We warmly invite all those who are interested in staying with us on this basis.

See Location for information about Casa Ana and the setting for your Adventure with us.

For information about fees and for booking please refer to Prices & Booking or email us directly.

Itinerary Details

Saturday 

• Arrive Malaga for transfer (see Travel for details).
• Arrive Casa Ana.
• Drinks on the terrace.
• Introductions.
• Welcome three-course dinner prepared by a chef.

Sunday 

• Breakfast.
• Writing workshop with tutor where we set inspirational goals for the week, and make a start with a creative writing exercise.
• Lunch at Casa Ana.
• Orientation: Anne Hunt, Casa Ana host, will introduce you to the picturesque local village, as well as the threshing circle (‘Magic Circle’), a ten minute walk away.
• Free time.
• Evening reading by Literary Adventure tutor.
• Walk to local restaurant for dinner.

Monday 

• Breakfast.
• Writing workshop with tutor.
• Lunch at Casa Ana.
• Poetry session (optional)
• Pitching to the Publishing Industry (optional)
• Walk to local restaurant for dinner.

Tuesday 

• Breakfast.
• Writing workshop with tutor.
• Lunch at Casa Ana.
• Excursion travelling by private bus to stunning local village Pampaneira or Capileira for shopping and dinner (the private hire bus will incur a small extra cost).
• Return to Casa Ana.

Wednesday 

• Breakfast.
• Writing workshop with tutor.
• Lunch at Casa Ana.
• Scheduled one-to-ones.
• Three-course dinner prepared by a chef.

Thursday 

• Breakfast.
• Scheduled one-to-ones.
• Lunch at Casa Ana.
• Free writing time/ Optional walk to the Mezquita
• Goodbye three-course dinner at Casa Ana prepared by a chef.
• Sharing with all writers in the salon.

Friday 

• Breakfast and final goodbyes.
• Transfer back to Malaga (see Travel for details).

N.b. Please note that the building is old with thick stone walls and the wifi connection is not consistently strong in every bedroom. The common room/studio remains open to all participants throughout the week and has a good, separate connection. Whilst we remain at the Casa for all teaching, we do need to walk to restaurants in the nearby (small) village for two evening meals and the terrain is not suitable for those with significant mobility issues.