CREATIVE WRITING COURSES WITH ANNA SMITH

Do you dream of writing? Do you read a novel or watch a television drama or movie and think, 'I would love to do that?' Do you lack the confidence or basic knowledge of how to get started?
Here is your chance, in the idyllic surroundings of Andalucia under the watchful eye of a successful novelist who followed her own dream. At the creative writing holiday course at Los Castaños you can enjoy a week-long holiday during which you will learn everything you need to help you pursue your ambition.
Anna Smith, award winning journalist and acclaimed novelist, was formerly chief reporter of the Daily Record in Scotland and now a columnist with the Sunday Mirror in Scotland. She divides her time between her homes in Scotland and the west of Ireland. Smith has spent a lifetime in daily newspapers. In a career spanning 24 years she has covered wars across the world as well as major investigations and news stories from Dunblane to 9/11. Her style of writing as a journalist won her many awards and she has transferred that gritty, colourful way of writing to fiction, bringing to life the characters that have made her novels respected and loved.

Anna Smith will show you the basics of:
writing a novel: from plot, formation of characters, and how to create a driving narrative that will make a page turner.
how to write for magazines and newspapers. Anna spent a lifetime as a journalist before becoming a published author.
writing scripts for television and cinema. By the end of the week you will feel able enough to put together your own script.
finding the right literary agent
expressing yourself. No stuffy tutorials on this creative writing course. Each day will be filled with field trips around the inspirational scenery of one of the most beautiful parts of Spain. You will be given the confidence to express yourself in the writing tasks set out by Anna.
And, because no more than 10 people will be on the course at any given time, you will have one-on-one appraisals of your work.
Group size: Minimum 5 Maximum 10
Her second novel, The Homecoming, was originally published in hardback and then in paperback. Well received by the critics, a review in The Herald said: 'Smith writes with effortless prose.'
When? Arrive Sun 29th October, 2006. Depart Sun 5th November, 2006

Cost: 1250€ per person sharing a room (link to currency calculator). Deduct 300 € for non-participating partner. A limited number of singles are possible with a supplement of 395 €. To confirm your place we require a non-refundable deposit of 200 € which can be paid by credit card or bank transfer. The balance is payable 8 weeks before commencement of holiday. If you book less than 8 weeks before, the whole amount is due. Full holiday insurance is a prerequisite.

What's included?
7 nights bed and full board at luxurious Los Castaños, lunches on days out, wine with dinner, tuition (individual and group), transportation, soft drinks and bottled water, IVA (VAT)

What's not included?
Flights, holiday insurance (which is obligatory for all participants), alcohol, personal shopping, tips and gratuities
To reserve your place on this holiday:
1. Quickest and safest way is to telephone Los Castaños on +34 952180778.

2. Email us by clicking here.

3. Complete the online form here.

Her second novel, The Homecoming, was originally published in hardback and then in paperback. Well received by the critics, a review in The Herald said: 'Smith writes with effortless prose.'

Anna's debut novel, Spit Against The Wind, launched her literary career to much critical acclaim, and one leading newspaper described Smith as 'a powerful new voice in Scottish fiction.' Spit continues to sell well in the UK and Australia and has just been published in Germany