Writing Retreat

Just One Day Writing Retreat

With Jane Blank published Author of  ‘The Shadow of Nanteos’ & ‘Nanteos – The Dipping Pool’ 

 assisted by Dawn Morgan of Shapeshift.

At Quernmore Park Hall

23rd November 2024 from 10am – 5:30pm 

We are incredibly excited and honoured to have Jane Blank facilitate our first Writing Retreat at Quernmore Park Hall. She will deftly guide us towards our goals, supporting us with writing exercises, space to practice and the wealth of her own experience.

During this One Day Writing Retreat, you are invited to bring your writing project at any stage of completion or incompletion! In the company of Jane and fellow participants we trust that this special place, will inspire your writing endeavours.

About Jane Blank

I find working with writers on their projects a  fascinating and heartwarming experience. There’s a ‘virtuous circle’ in which, as a tutor, I share what I know yet, in the sharing, I remind myself about what ‘good practice’ is. Every time I work with another writer, I learn from them, from the style and ideas they bring to the table. So too with other creative practitioners. I’ve known and respected  Dawn Morgan and her work for many years now and am delighted to be joining with her to run writing courses and retreats at the magnificent Quernmore Park Hall. Only slightly younger than the Georgian manor house ‘Plas Nanteos’  ( ‘The Mansion of the Stream of the Nightingale’ in Welsh!) where my own historical novels are set,  Quernmore Park is the perfect back ground for a weekend of writing and exploration. Jane Blank, September 2024

Jane is a qualified writing tutor (MA Dist. Cardiff University) with extensive experience of designing and running courses on writing and Literature. She is a published author of three novels which have variously been best sellers in Wales; long-listed for the Historical Novel Society Awards; Waterstones Wales Book of the Month and the subject of many media articles.

Jane reads and lectures extensively, (both in person and online) on all aspects of her writing and research, and has twice been invited to run workshops and give readings for the North American Festival of Wales in Rochester, Milwaukee and Chicago. She is also a published poet and has enjoyed running workshops and performing her work in a range of settings including the Hay Festival and Millennium Centre. Jane’s work has received numerous awards and prizes including from The Bronte Society and Poetry Wales, being long- listed for the prestigious Bridport Prize and featured in The Independent; Big Issue;Observer Magazine; Poetry Quarterly Review ; Planet, and published in numerous anthologies.

Jane  has recently moved to west Wales and now manages a twelve acre small – holding for sheep, horses, alpacas and as wild flower meadow. Her recent projects include a series of programmes with Radio Cymru exploring her life and ancestry – a Welsh version of ‘Who do you think you are?’ She’s also been working with artist and Celtic expert Rhiannon Evans at The Welsh Gold Centre, giving lectures on folk practices and beliefs in Eighteenth Century Wales. She is currently working on her fourth novel, ‘The Switch and the Monkey’ – a Gothic tale based on the infamous relationship between Algernon Swinburne and George Powell.

More information on Jane, her Blogs and her work can be found on: www.jane-blank.in

Dawn Morgan

‘I am very much looking forward to assisting Jane and offering morning movement sessions. No previous experience or particular ability is required to fully participate. The music is eclectic and the atmosphere, supportive and fun. I am passionate about the role of creativity in health and well-being, dance and movement can gently wake up our vitality, ideas and our ability to take creative action.

Dawn has a BSc in Psychology and trained to teach 5 Rhythms Dance with Gabrielle Roth in America, she has an MA in Dance, Somatics & Well-being, and studied Pre and Perinatal Psychology with Ray Castellino. She has worked in personal development for over 30 years and has facilitated movement with all ages and abilities. She loves to work with beginners as well as experienced movers.

Dawn recently completed 6 weeks walking with her 2 horses and her partner down the Pennine Bridleway about which she would like to write.

 

Prices & Accommodation

Please note that prices are a package which includes your tuition fees, use of workrooms, the dining room, a full size billiards table! access to the Hall and Estate Grounds, including the Victorian Secret Walled Garden, all delicious healthy meals, snacks and teas.

Full Price – £160

Concessions – £120