Travel writing with Mike Carter and Jane Dunford

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Travel writing with Mike Carter and Jane Dunford

By The Guardian Masterclasses

Date and time

September 20, 2014 · 10am - September 21, 2014 · 5pm GMT+1

Location

The Guardian

Kings Place 90 York Way London N1 9GU United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.

Description

Perfect the art of writing first-rate travel pieces with tips and personal feedback from top experts

For all the advances in digital media, the written word remains the most evocative, emotive and entertaining way to capture the experience of travel. This two-day masterclass is for anyone who wants to learn how to write first-person travelogue pieces to a high standard. Through a series of lessons, discussions and practical exercises – including using great travel writers' work as a guide – Guardian and Observer travel writer Mike Carter will teach you how to structure a piece, write a compelling introduction, make a place come alive with your writing and how to avoid common pitfalls. There will also be a session hosted by a commissioning travel editor, focusing on how to pitch your ideas and work to newspapers and magazines.

Class size has been kept small to allow for personal feedback and an informal and inspiring atmosphere, and you'll leave the course with numerous suggestions for further learning. After the course has finished, participants have the opportunity, should they wish, to submit a 500-word piece to Mike for feedback.

This course is for you if…

  • You're a new writer wanting to turn your travel experiences into coherent narratives
  • You're an experienced writer in another field wanting to explore the world of travel writing

Course description

This course mixes practical and theory sessions, carefully designed to help participants gain confidence in their writing and find their own style. Topics covered over the weekend include:

  • How to write arguably the most important part of any travel story: a compelling, dynamic introduction that has the reader gripped
  • How to use the "building blocks" of our travel experiences to create the main body of a piece
  • How to avoid cliché
  • Writing great dialogue
  • Taking effective and useful notes

Tutor profile

Mike Carter has been travel writing for 10 years. He writes regularly for the Guardian and the Observer newspapers, and had also written for the Financial Times, Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph, Harper's Bazaar and Daily Express. He is the author of two travel books – Uneasy Rider, which won the 2008 Oldie Travel Book of the Year, and One Man and his Bike, published in 2011, which documented his 5,000 mile cycle ride around the entire coastline of Britain.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

Organized by

Welcome to Guardian Masterclasses – a unique programme of learning embedded within one of the world's most forward-thinking media organisations.

We offer a broad range of short and long courses across a variety of disciplines from creative writing, journalism, photography and design, film and digital media, music and cultural appreciation.

Harnessing the expertise and specialisms within the organisation, our courses are led by first class and award winning guardian professionals whilst also drawing on the skills and expertise of other leading figures at the forefront of the creative and digital industries.

The programme is aimed at anyone interested in personal or professional development whether that be refining your skills, focusing your ambition or simply broadening your mind and gaining inspiration.

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