Karoo Weekend Writers’ Workshop

Friday 14th May 2006

Join us at Studio Karoo for a series of ongoing creative weekend workshops on writing, art, music, poetry, theatre and crafts. Set in the stunning Langeberg Mountains only 15 kilometres from the village of Montagu, Studio Karoo is a converted 1909 Cape cottage adjoining Phil and Moira McCumskey's house, which was built in 1899.

Mike Nicol will host the “Writing a Novel” workshop. Mike is the author of four novels: The Powers That Be, This Day and Age, Horseman and The Ibis Tapestry. He co-authored a crime novel, Out to Score, with Joanne Hichens; it was published in March 2006 by Random House’s new imprint, Umuzi. He has also written works of non-fiction and published two volumes of poetry. Mike teaches a course on constructing a novel at UCT’s Centre for Creative Writing and recently ran a crime writing course at the university’s Summer School. He works as a journalist and lives in Cape Town.

This fun weekend workshop is open to only ten participants and kicks off on Friday evening 14th May with a welcoming braai under the Karoo stars and an opening address by Mike Nicol. Moira and Phil (the almost-naked chef) will serve up marinated Karoo lamb chops, tender chicken breasts, herb-caressed green salads, and home-baked bread. They'll also prepare delicious vegetarian dishes for those of you who prefer those. A few bottles of superb local wine are bound to go down well … then it's straight to bed! Accommodation on neighbouring farms is rustic but very comfortable and you each have your own room.

On Saturday, after a full English breakfast, the workshop begins. Mike will earn his keep and make better writers of you all. Learn how to improve your dialogue, get to know your characters, write a synopsis, and construct a plot. There will be written exercises and you will all get to read your own work to the group. (Of course, during all this, Phil and Moira will be hard at it in the kitchen preparing a terrific lunch and gourmet dinner.)

Later in the afternoon you can take a walk in the mountains or just chill.

Dinner will be a relaxed event where you can enjoy the company of your fellow writers and unwind. Who knows, you may even spot one of the many orbiting satellites or catch sight of a shooting star. Don’t forget to make a wish!

Enjoy a leisurely Sunday morning breakfast on the verandah, gazing across at our own “Klein Tafelberg”. The workshop continues and Mike will wrap things up at lunchtime when, once again, Phil and Moira present a final, scrumptious meal. You’re then free to walk in the vineyards or swing in the hammock under the hundred year old Karoo acacia before making your way home.

How much?
The total cost of the weekend, which includes two nights’ accommodation, the very best food through to Sunday lunch, teas and coffees (all other drinks for your own account) and the workshop itself, is only R1 650 per person. A 50 percent deposit is payable on the date of booking, and the balance is payable 14 days before the date of the workshop.

To book, phone Phil on (023) 614 2901, or e-mail at kinell@telkomsa.net.

Your hosts
Phil and Moira escaped from Johannesburg in 1996 and spent the next seven years in the Midlands of Natal. In 2003 they discovered Montagu and a lovely smallholding tucked away in the mountains. Moira “knits” copper-wire bags and dabbles in fabric painting and beading. Phil has been a professional actor and director and before leaving Jo'burg ran his own video production company. He now freelances as a writer of video scripts, corporate communications, radio ads and website copy. He also writes travel articles, many of which have been published ... And of course, he's working on a novel. Phil recently co-wrote the script and was the on-camera presenter for an exciting DVD promoting Route 62.


LitNet: 5 April 2006

Click here and subscribe to our newsletter - for your weekly cultural fix! Click to see our latest newsletter

boontoe / to the top

© Kopiereg in die ontwerp en inhoud van hierdie webruimte behoort aan LitNet, uitgesluit die kopiereg in bydraes wat berus by die outeurs wat sodanige bydraes verskaf. LitNet streef na die plasing van oorspronklike materiaal en na die oop en onbeperkte uitruil van idees en menings. Die menings van bydraers tot hierdie werftuiste is dus hul eie en weerspieël nie noodwendig die mening van die redaksie en bestuur van LitNet nie. LitNet kan ongelukkig ook nie waarborg dat hierdie diens ononderbroke of foutloos sal wees nie en gebruikers wat steun op inligting wat hier verskaf word, doen dit op hul eie risiko. Media24, M-Web, Ligitprops 3042 BK en die bestuur en redaksie van LitNet aanvaar derhalwe geen aanspreeklikheid vir enige regstreekse of onregstreekse verlies of skade wat uit sodanige bydraes of die verskaffing van hierdie diens spruit nie. LitNet is ’n onafhanklike joernaal op die Internet, en word as gesamentlike onderneming deur Ligitprops 3042 BK en Media24 bedryf.