Kickstart your writing year: An online retreat with Guardian Masterclasses

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"The quality of teaching has been superb and the online organisation superb…. Now I have even more proud to be called a Guardianista!" – previous retreat attendee

Are you the kind of writer who’s got a lot of ideas camped out in your brain (and on your phone) but you’re struggling to commit time or space to building out your work? Have you been working for what feels like forever on a project that’s lost its vim? Would you like to gain some perspective, inspiration and sage advice from bestselling and award-winning authors and mentors?

In our comprehensive writing programme for the new year, you will have the opportunity to learn from leading writers and publishing professionals to develop your ideas, connect with other writers and help you achieve your goals in 2023 – and beyond.

Over the course of two weeks, participate in writing surgeries with Shelley Weiner, get your creativity flowing with the award-winning novelists Natasha Pulley and Andrew Meehan, and take part in illuminating workshops with the celebrated editorial director of Hamish Hamilton, Hannah Chukwu, who has worked with Bernardine Evaristo, Zadie Smith and Arundhuti Roy, among others.

As well as learning from our tutors, you will also join a supportive community of fellow writers through our online Slack channel, with the opportunity to network, share work and build lasting writing friendships.

This programme has been carefully curated with your lifestyle in mind – you can attend live sessions when it suits you and catch up on recordings when it doesn’t. You’ll get access to recordings and the valuable online community until 12 February 2023, which means that wherever you are in the world, and whatever your schedule, this is your chance to start your writing year with a bang.

This course is for...

• Writers of all levels, at any stage in their creative journey
• Writers of all genres and forms (please note that this programme will focus on fiction-writing, though the skills are transferable to all forms of writing)

Retreat Highlights

Monday 9 January

Writing workout workshop with Natasha Pulley, 8am-8.45am GMT

In this first in a series of morning writing workshops with bestselling authors and acclaimed creative writing tutors, novelist Natasha Pulley leads a bite-sized writing workout.

Writers’ Salon: Meet and greet - 7pm-8pm GMT

In this session you’ll get the chance to set some intentions for the weeks ahead and find out a little more about your fellow writers.

Tuesday 10 January

The writing room: Daytime session, 10am-4pm GMT

Put simply: this is space for you to carve out writing time with support and accountability from like-minded individuals. Join us for the whole day or just an hour, there are no rules.

Wednesday 11 January

Writing surgery with Shelley Weiner, 1pm-2pm GMT

What’s holding your writing back? Get invaluable advice from the creative writing tutor and mentor Shelley Weiner.

Thursday 12 January

Writing workout with Andrew Meehan, 8am-8.45am GMT

Start your writing day on the front foot with award-winning Irish novelist Andrew Meehan.

The writing room: Evening session, 7-9pm GMT

A space to write-together and stay accountable - no lessons, no gimmicks, just the time to write knowing you’re not alone.

Friday 13 January

How to write sentences that shine with Ross Raisin – 1-3pm GMT

A masterclass that will give you a fresh perspective on the building blocks that grow into a piece of fiction: sentences. With guided close reading, interesting writing exercises, and a game or two, this session will sharpen your tools in order, line by line, to craft perfect sentences.

Saturday 14 January

The writing room: Daytime session, 10am-4pm GMT

Make some space to write your way in the company of fellow writers.

Sunday 15 January

Writers’ Salon with special guest Hannah Chukwu, 6pm-7.30pm GMT

Highlights, chat and an enlightening Q&A session on the publishing process.

Monday 16 January

Writing workout with Andrew Meehan, 8am-8.45am GMT

Acclaimed literary novelist Andrew Meehan returns for another creative writing session.

Getting to the heart of your novel: A masterclass with Hannah Chukwu, 6.30pm- 8.30pm

In her distinguished career as a books editor, Hannah Chukwu has worked with many great authors such as Bernardine Evaristo, Zadie Smith and Arundhati Roy. In this masterclass, she’ll explore the key things every writer should consider from the outset. You’ll gain essential tools and techniques to help you focus your writing without curtailing your creative process.

Tuesday 17 January

The writing room: Daytime session, 10am-4pm GMT

Wednesday 18 January

Writing surgery with Shelley Weiner, 1pm-2pm GMT

Author and mentor, Shelley Weiner returns to help you solve your writing dilemmas.

Thursday 19 January

Writing workout workshop with Natasha Pulley, 8am-8.45am GMT

Award-winning author Natasha Pulley returns to add some sparkle to your writing day.

The writing room: Evening session, 7-9pm GMT

Friday 20 January

Showing and Telling with Ross Raisin, 1-3pm GMT

In this masterclass, you will pick apart that most longstanding of creative writing mantras – to show, not tell – and understand, through discussion, close reading of short extracts, tutor tips and guided writing exercises, how to strike the right balance to bring your readers inside your fiction.

Saturday 21 January

The writing room: Daytime session, 10am-4pm GMT

Sunday 22 January

Writer’s surgery with Hannah Chukwu, 1-2pm GMT

A rare chance to trouble-shoot your writing dilemmas with the editor Hannah Chukwu.

Writer’s Salon: Wrap party, 6pm-7pm GMT -chance to share your work.

As we bid farewell to the live elements of our retreat, this is a chance to celebrate your achievements, share work if you’d like to, and gain tips, advice and support for continuing your writing practice in 2023.

Please note that while we will endeavour to feature the masterclass as advertised, due to the volume of classes in this event, we may be required to replace a speaker if necessary.

Course Details

• Date: Monday 9 January 2023 – Sunday 22 January 2023, with catch up recordings and retreat Slack community available until Sunday 12 February 2023
• Time: Multiple sessions and times

Catch up recordings will be shared during the class and will be available until Sunday 12 February 2023. This masterclass is available globally.

You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

We aim to make all Guardian Masterclasses accessible to all. If you require any adjustments to enable your participation in this course, please get in touch with us at masterclasses@theguardian.com.

This event will be hosted on a third-party live streaming platform Zoom, please refer to their privacy policy and terms and conditions before purchasing a ticket to the class.

Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.