CREATIVE WRITING RETREAT IN THE PROVENÇAL COUNTRYSIDE

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Bastide de Negrins, Seillans, 83440, Var, Provence, France

TIME TO WRITE YOUR NOVEL

The Provence Creative Writing retreat

Have you always thought about writing a novel, and come up with stories and ideas, but never quite had the time, or known how to get started? Have you ever started a novel, or more than one, but never had the time, or known how to take it any further? Have you written a whole novel but never known how to assess it, or had the tools to improve it? Or made the time to work on it?

If you feel the time has come to do what you’ve always wanted to do and make that novel your priority, The Provence Creative Writing Retreat offers you the time, and the tools, to take your writing to the next stage.

Bastide de Négrins:  Baz Butcher annd his wife Joanna Frank discovered early on in their relationship that they had a shared dream of eventually living in the South of France. At the beginning of 2023, circumstances led them to a 350 year old farmhouse, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, that they fell instantly in love with. They were particularly charmed by the way the exterior of the property has been structured around outdoor living. They envisaged cooking for guests in the covered outdoor kitchen and long leisurely lunches and dinners around the large shaded dining table,  continuing conversations as the sun went down in the covered outdoor seating area in front of the large open log fire. Everyone would want, in the heat of the day, to make use of the sizeable swimming pool in the middle of the courtyard, and all around the garden, liberally planted with roses, bouganvillea, jasmine, lavender and oleander,  they would seek out the various shaded seating areas for reading and writing. All who arrive at the Bastide comment immediately that the atmosphere is tranquil and relaxed, with stunning bucolic surroundings and amazing views, and a sense of history to stimulate the imagination.

Inside, the house is characterised by its oak beamed ceilings, traditional terracotta floors and large bedrooms. It would be inaccurate to describe the accommodation as ‘high-end luxury’, rather the emphasis is on comfort, authenticity and discreet good taste. Guests will find quality bedlinen, towels, toiletries and other soft furnishings, a writing desk in every room and books everywhere to suit all tastes.

Joanna Frank has been a publisher and literary agent, and now works as a literary consultant, offering close editorial guidance to new writers, helping them refine and polish their work, and eventually submitting to literary agents on their behalf. She has published, edited, represented and launched the careers of a diverse range of authors including Joanne Harris, Louise Doughty, Alan Titchmarsh, Jojo Moyes, Simon Berthon, Marika Cobbold and Kirsty Wark. You can read more about her professional background here: www.joannafrank.org. She has also written two written two novels herself, so has experienced the fiction-writing process from every angle. Having fulfilled her lifelong dream of moving to Provence, she relishes the opportunity to share her professional experience with writers in such an idyllic setting.

There are four double rooms available at the Bastide, two of which can be used either for a single guest or made up as a twin or double for guests who may wish to attend the course together, or bring a non-participating partner. Two of the rooms are each in their own separate apartment with independent entrance, and the other two share a bathroom.

The peace and quiet of our location and the private seclusion of our rooms makes the Bastide an ideal environment for anybody wishing to focus exclusively on their writing, away from the demands of day-to-day life. Please email us to initiate a discussion of your requirements.

*Excluding July and August

The solid stone walls of the bastide and its numerous original features reflect a place steeped in its 350 year history, and an ambience to spark the imagination. Beyond that, one sighting of the olive groves, vineyards and oak woods that surround the house elicits immediately a sense of calm and serenity, and of being far away from the madding crowd. The absence of stressful distraction in turn allows for creative immersion, for both readers and writers.

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LIRE
For those who come on holiday to engross themselves in reading, there are multiple places around the property to relax with a book, in the shade of the pergola or bell tent, on a lounger in the sunshine, or in the cool of the house. There are bookshelves throughout with plenty of reading material for every taste in which to become absorbed during your stay.

ECRIRE
Jo Frank, one of the bastide’s proprietors, has worked in book publishing for more than thirty years. As a publisher, agent, and now literary consultant ( read more here ), she has launched the careers of authors such as Joanne Harris, Louise Doughty, Jojo Moyes, Simon Berthon, Alan Titchmarsh and Kirsty Wark, among many others. Having also written two novels herself, she knows how it feels to want to start, or finish, writing a book, which is why she knew that the bastide would be the perfect venue for a Writer’s Retreat. Just bring your laptop, or pen and paper, and we will provide the tranquil setting and everything else you need, including full board and the camaraderie of other writers.

If you would like to register your interest, please email us here .

NORRIR et Mange Tout

French cuisine has special roots and Provence is no exception. We have markets, supermarkets and farms in abundance; produce on our doorstesp to both forage and feast upon throughout the year. Baz, a restaurateur, will either cook for you or be willing to act as your sous chef.

Home grown peppers, lemons, basil, bay, sage, rosemary and thyme are all at your finger tips. Local farm lamb, pork and goat are a walk away and at local markets there is no shortage of organic fruit, vegetables, cheeses and charcuterie.

In our outdoor kitchen you can saute, flambe, confit, fricassee, rotir and poeler to your heart’s content.