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Visitor's Book |
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One course member's account of her stay at La Bourdique and comments from the visitors' book "In the middle of May I set off into the blue from a friend’s home on the Lot. What did I know about Sharon Colback and Write here in France? Only information from the website and then a few email exchanges. After much thought I also packed emergency rations, a bottle of whiskey, two litres of orange juice and two kilos of apples, in case the whole experience was a damp squib. All of these I left with Sharon after one of the most interesting weeks in my life. I had looked at many courses on the web and talked to friends who had done creative writing elsewhere. I decided on Write here in France because it sounded friendly, imaginative and challenging to someone who spends all her working life producing technical reports or writing formal business letters. The informal atmosphere belied the clever structure to our five days there. I found myself writing things I would not usually be able to say, let alone write. It plumbed the depths of different experiences over the years and put them on paper. Other friends have attempted more elaborate courses with people who arrive with high opinions of their own writing which not only overwhelmed them but stifled their creative spirit during the course. Sharon is methodical and innovative in her approach. All inhibitions were left behind and time rushed by each morning during our tutorial session. My room at La Bourdique – an old farmhouse - was attractive and comfortable and I appreciated the en suite facilities as well as the exquisite wild flowers on the table. The food was superb – straight out of Elizabeth David’s French Provincial Cooking – and the wine and mineral water flowed freely." "Sharon and the Write here in France course was not only an inspiration to me and my capabilities but a holiday that turned into a sheer delight and something I'll take away with me forever. To all novices, beginners and anyone who doesn't have a clue what they're looking for, Write here in France is for you." S.C. June 2004 U.K.  TOP
"Wonderful week. I'm going away with lots of ideas. You make a wonderful hostess, combining the informality of a visit 'entre amis' with the welcome rigour and good pace of the course to keep us all on our toes. A great feat. I'm full of admiration." N.F. September 2004 Japan "The course reminded me that I could just come up with description, dialogue and monologue out of the blue. "This was a very different vacation for me. On reflection, I haven't been inside any churches or museums or historic buildings and that's just fine. I feel as if I LIVED here for a week, not that I was just a tourist." Dr. M.W. June 2005. U.S.A. TOP
"I hope I'll be back one day. Till then, I'll try to follow this feeling that I have at this very moment - not letting the pessimists discourage me and not letting me discourage myself. Thank you for your hospitality, your graciousness and your great sense of humour." J.K. June 2005, U.K. "The classes were stimulating and demanded new things of us, pushed and prodded so that we wrote in new and creative ways. And the talk in the afternoons and the dinner parties and the wine, all formed by that Midi-Pyrenees atmosphere, temperature, countryside." Prof. B.S. July 2005. U.K. "Ah, the literary life! Nothing like a change of pace to get the creative juices flowing - not to mention the wine, the gourmet meals, the classroom challenges (brilliantly thought out) the sunshine and conversation. What more could a (budding) writer want? It's all been glorious." C.B. July 2005, Paris "Thanks, 'Teach' for unlocking the right side of the brain after so many years. You have certainly given me the tools to go forward after two frustrating years of unfruitful effort. "A wonderful group of people to work with and socialise with in the most pleasant and comfortable of surroundings." M.C-G. September 2005. U.K. "Thank you for opening my eyes this week to writing, to France and to myself. Of all the memories that I treasure, my week here with you and the others on the course will be at the top of my treasure box." J.McC. October 2005. Canada "Thank you for a magical time. Please continue to bring your magic to those around you." L.K. October 2005. U.K. "It has felt such a privilege to stay in your beautiful home and enjoy such a rich week of writing. I and my characters will go home and try to make something of ourselves." A.K. May 2006. U.K. "I leave with boundless confidence, a fresh view of the world around me. I am recharged." K.J. May 2006, Australia TOP
"I leave a better writer than when I arrived, thanks to your help and encouragement." L.B. October 2006. U.K. "You have given me something wonderful to take home with me - my story. It's been a life changer." J.C. October, 2006, Ireland, U.K. |
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| Marie Claire Article, April 2006 | ||||
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Email:
Sharon.colback@wanadoo.fr Tel: +33 (0)565 99 7645 La Bourdique F-12550 Martrin France |
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