Having just come back from a week at the Hurst, I’ve been wondering what makes Arvon – both teaching and writing – work. I think it’s something to do with this quote, which I read out there:
‘To write means to live thoughtfully. To respect your inner life. To engage with the world. Why shouldn’t everyone aspire to this richness? Publishing is something else altogether, and doesn’t belong in the same sentence with the word ‘writing’. Monica Wood
The week was all about writing. It was about not having to say you are writing a novel to someone and have them come back with, ‘so when can I buy your book’ or ‘so you fancy being the next Dan Brown then?’.
No, last week was about process, and having that process respected as being just that…. letting the writing sit in a place of being allowed to be just what it is. Rather than what other people feel it should be. It was amazing how large and deep and funny and beautiful each piece of writing seemed to grow as a result.
Oh and the week was also about wine, laughter, tears and very very good stories.
Nice one xx
Thanks Peter. It was very good to meet you, hope you are still writing!