Writing Places
Join novelist Sarah Moss for this five-day course exploring – and writing – Hatton Garden and the surrounding areas.
Level
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Location
Length
Discover the stories of the world around you
Setting aren’t just places; they are stories of their own. And writing the experience and history of a place is an essential technique for writers of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
This course mixes the more glamorous locations such as St Bartholomew the Great church with the everyday of Farringdon Station. Sarah Moss will lead you in developing the art of sitting in a place, experimenting with point of view, time and your senses to notice the stories that emerge – discovering that perhaps the more exciting writing comes from places or perspectives that aren’t obviously freighted with story.
As well as visiting neighbouring places with your fellow writers, you will also be encouraged to follow your passions – as well as putting your fieldwork skills into action – by researching and visiting a location of your choice in the local area.
In the afternoons, you will return to Faber Academy’s HQ in Hatton Garden to share your discoveries from the places you have visited. Sarah will lead the afternoon with writing exercises, close reading of exemplary texts and discussion.
Is this the right course for me?
This course is for any writer interested in improving their craft in writing place and setting – you may be a memoirist, novelist or poet with some experience of writing, but looking to dive deeper into writing place. Or you may be more experienced in your writing and looking to build up your fieldwork and research skills.
Although the primary mode for Writing Place will be non-fiction prose, the skills developed will strengthen your craft in fiction and poetry too.
Your day will run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with a break for lunch.
In the mornings ahead of your fieldwork, your classroom will be open for research and preparation. A member of staff will be on hand to walk with you to the sites, if needed.
Course Programme
Session 1
Monday 30 June, 10:00–16:00
Introductions...
Session 2
Tuesday 1 July, 10:00–16:00
Exploring Farringdon Station...
Session 3
Wednesday 2 July, 10:00–16:00
The Visiting Writer...
Tutors
Sarah Moss
Sarah Moss is the author of eight novels., most recently The Fell and Summerwater...
Location
The Bindery
51 Hatton Garden
London EC1N 8HN
How to get here
Faber’s office, The Bindery, is well connected by public transport, with Farringdon Station just five minutes’ walk away, and stops for several bus routes in the area too. If you’re coming from outside of London, the office is a short bus or taxi journey from Kings Cross, Euston and St Pancras stations.
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