Enrol NOW - The Next Draft Retreat

Writing EncouragementWriting TipsWriting PassionWriting Inspiration
Written By Lisa Clifford - Author/Journalist

Enrolments are now open for The Next Draft retreat in Florence. From June 25-29, the Art of Writing creative writing retreats in Tuscany will offer this special editing opportunity for finished drafts.

If you’ve finished your manuscript, have a draft down on the page let us help you move forward with your editing skills. This retreat is all about honing your writing, increasing story and structure skills, and transforming your current manuscript and private mentoring time.

The Next Draft is a full time four-day, two-night course with private afternoon mentoring.

COMMON QUESTIONS

  • ‘I’ve finished my draft, now what should I do?’

  • ‘Do I have to pay an editor to go through my draft now that I’ve finished?’

  • ‘I know my draft has big issues but am not sure how to tackle them.’

We are here to teach you how to handle your next draft.
Cost: 1,500 Euro
When: June 25-29
Where: Palazzo San Niccolo, Florence

Included in cost:   

Opening and closing dinners together.
All wine, morning teas and cappuccinos.   
All lectures, handouts and tuition.
All classes are in-person.   
Four mornings of classes.
Four afternoons private mentoring with Laurel Cohn and Lisa Clifford

Please note that accommodation is not included in your retreat. 
Outside class times, as a guest of the Art of Writing, you are free to write anywhere within Palazzo San Niccolò‘s
gorgeous gardens, lounge, and coffee area. 
Please ask for your 5% discount on accommodation if you chose to stay at the Palazzo.

The Next Draft Prep Pack:

  • Guidance on cultivating ‘fresh eyes’ and sharpening critical reading skills in preparation for the retreat.

  • A PDF file of readings –fiction, narrative non-fiction and personal essay – that will be referred to throughout the retreat. These should be read prior to first day.

  • Details of what to bring and how to format your work.

 What to bring to the Art of Writing Next Draft retreat?

  • The PDF file of readings from the Prep Pack (digital or print-out)

  • A draft synopsis of up to 500 words (digital or print-out)

  • A print-out of the complete manuscript (formatting guidelines will be supplied)

  • Notebook, pencils/pens, coloured pens. Optional: sticky notes, highlighters. 

ENROL HERE

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2023 Art of Writing Dates

Sunday, May 7th to Thursday, May 11th, 2023, Florence

Sunday, June 4th to Thursday, June 8th, 2023, Florence

Sunday, June 25th to Thursday, June 29th The Next Draft, for finished manuscripts.

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If you’d like to share any comments or thoughts, I’d be happy to hear from you. Email me directly at lisacliffordwriter@gmail.com.

Lisa Clifford - Author/Journalist

I was seventeen years old and as I watched my step on the suicidally thin strips of footpath, I never imagined that I would marry one of the Italian boys on the Vespas that shot up and down the tiny, medieval streets of Florence.

But one year after arriving in Florence to study Italian, I did fall in love. There followed eighteen years of going back and forth between Italy and Sydney, trying to decide where to live. During these early years of oscillation, I won a scholarship to the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. After graduating, I became a radio journalist and reported for 2GB, Kiss FM and corresponded for the ABC, 2UE and the American Radio News Network. Ultimately I moved into television news and while Associate Producer with Channel 10 I wrote my first book – Walking Sydney, A Guide to 25 of Sydney’s Best Walks.

During those eighteen years I always, always went back to Florence to see my gorgeous Italian boyfriend.

The move to live permanently in Italy and marry Paolo brought me two beautiful babies. Three books followed – The Promise, Death in the Mountains and Naples: A Way of Love. My current work in progress keeps me busy travelling all over Italy. I hope you’ll join me on writing tips, formulas, updates and manuscript developments on my blog.

After four decades of living in and writing about Italy, I decided it was time to share what I have learnt here in Tuscany by helping other writers achieve their dreams. My Art of Writing retreats are for beginning, emerging and established writers. We bring famous publishers and published authors to the Florence to teach and share their journeys.

I hope you can join me. I’d love to meet you and help you take your idea to novel, in what I think is the perfect environment for creativity.

— Lisa Clifford

http://www.lisacliffordwriter.com/
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