Saturday & Sunday, May 23rd & 24th, 10am-4pm UK via Zoom

Award winning writer, editor and educator for more than three decades, course leader Leone Ross offers a weekend to soothe your writing self – two days where we make community and address what’s troubling you when you turn to [or think about!] the page. Whatever stage you are in the writing process, this is for writers who need sustenance, community and healing – and especially for those who are fighting their inner judge and with procrastination, ‘writer’s block’, momentum, or loneliness. Ross has worked with thousands of writers, most of whom have had downturns or challenges – and has suffered from blocks and self-doubt herself, despite awards and accolades.

 

Part of our writing practice must involve taking care of ourselves. Full of accessible, practical tips, mini-lectures, group work and individual exercises, this is the course that wants to give you company when it’s hard – and to consider what science and other artists tell us about getting through – even embracing! - hard writing times. Writers are asked to come to the course with a mission in mind – a work that has been giving them a hard time, either in its beginning, middle or end. Perhaps you can’t start the thing, finish the thing, or you’re bogged down in the middle.

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You can expect to leave having had an experience in writing community, met others in like mind, and to have lots of ideas about how to re-shape, re-consider or reinvigorate your writing process. This is good, nurturing and vulnerable work – an invitation to consider why words hold you, and to remember how valuable those words are.

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This course is designed to help experienced fiction writers and beginners at all levels, although do be aware that participants are asked to apply with 500 words of their own writing.

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“This was the best gift I gave myself this year.” - Dzifa Job

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Ticket Info:

The Writing Care Weekend costs £220.

Writers can pay in two parts if easier – £60 on booking, and then the balance of £160 due May 7th, 2026. Please note that all tickets and deposits are non-refundable.

There is one free place available for the course. When applying, you will be asked whether you would like to be considered for the free place.

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Course Info:

All activity takes place on Zoom. The course is open to writers all over the world. The Course goes across one weekend, six hours each day, including lunch hour and comfort breaks.

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• Day 1 - Saturday, May 23rd

  • Considering What’s True About Your Writing Practice – Returning To The Source; Practical Practices: where& when & why; Quick-Fire Work

• Day 2 - Sunday, May 24th

  • Pushing Against The Lies – Chatting To The Internal Judge; Procrastination; What Is A Block?Alternative Ideas: Meaning, Beauty, Permission, Rebellion & Mischief

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Application Info:

​​This course is capped at 15 attendees and is accessible by application. For your information, the application will ask you the following questions:

• When I think about doing a course in fiction writing, I most look forward to…

• When I think about doing a course in fiction writing, I am most worried about…

• A few lines about your writing experience/history

• What do you think your strengths are, as a writer [of fiction, or anything]. Avoid telling me about your weaknesses in the process! 

• Please tell me about any personal circumstances or disability needs that may affect you during the course. 

• Tell me up to three things get in the way of your developing a positive or consistent writing practice.

• A sample of your best writing. That does not mean you think it’s perfect – just that you’re as proud of it as you can be (500 words). Your sample can be any genre – fiction is great, but it can be anything – memoir, poetry, play, blog etc. You can choose to send a sample of your choice OR if stumped, you can choose to respond to one of the simple writing exercises, below. 

  • ​Write a description of a physical object that elicits a strong emotion in you. This could be a precious or even controversial object from any stage of life – childhood, adolescence – or from the present: from your home, your workplace, a garden you spend time in, or anywhere else. Basically, describe any object that makes you feel emotional.

  • Write a description of a person that you know very well. This could be someone you love, or don’t like much at all. They should be someone who you can recall in detail. Some writers may prefer to write a description of themselves – that’s fine, too! 

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To apply, please use the link below.