Rhys Bowen 2018:

Novel in a Week

This intense and hands on workshop is designed to jump-start that stalled novel, or to bring that idea well on the way to fruition with lectures, exercises and plenty of one-on-one opportunity. Rhys Bowen is a New York Times and Kindle #1 bestselling author and winner of multiple awards. Her expertise is in historical novels, mystery and thrillers but the topics and approach are relevant for any type of creative fiction.

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Tentative Schedule: May 29-June 7, 2018

 

A detailed schedule will be administered to all participants upon acceptance to the seminar. Note that this schedule is tentative and may be adjusted as needed by Ms. Bowen.

 

 

Day 1

Arrival, Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport.

 

Transfer to Castellina in Chianti.

 

Social – Meet Rhys and the staff.

 

Dinner at Il Fondaccio dei Dottori

 

Day 2

Breakfast

 

Lecture/Discussion with Rhys: “Intro to mystery. What the heck am I writing?”

 

Rhys: Writing assignment.

 

Lunch

 

Writers work on individual assignment.

 

Departure/Walk to Castellina for Wine Tasting in Medieval wine cellar.

Dinner at Antico Ristorante La Torre.

 

Day 3

Breakfast

 

Morning Walk: Country Market Day in Castellina in Chianti (for those who are interested).

 

Rhys meets individually with writers.

 

Lunch

 

Rhys: "Plotting the mystery, structure, pace, POV"

 

Writers work on writing assignments.

 

Predinner aperitivi and socializing on the patio

Dinner at Il Fondaccio dei Dottori.

 

Day 4

Breakfast

 

Morning hike to local Etruscan underground tomb (for those who are interested).

 

Workshopping assignment drafts

 

Rhys: "First line, first para, first chapter"

 

Lunch

 

Writers work on individual assignment.

 

Predinner aperitivi and socializing on the patio

Dinner at Il Fondaccio dei Dottori.

 

 

Day 5

Breakfast

 

Excursion to Siena. Guided tour, sightseeing, lunch in the Orto dei' Pecci (a Medieval home farm restaurant). Return to hotel late afternoon.

 

Predinner aperitivi and socializing on the patio.

Dinner at Il Fondaccio dei Dottori.

 

Day 6

Breakfast

 

Individual writing

 

Lunch

 

Rhys: "Character: Protagonist, villain, secondary characters"

 

Writers work on writing assignments.

 

Predinner aperitivi and socializing on the patio.

Dinner at Il Fondaccio dei Dottori.

 

 

Day 7

Breakfast

 

Walk to Castellina for gelato demo and tasting at the Gelateria Antica Delizia.

 

Lunch

 

Rhys: "Dialog"

 

Predinner aperitivi and socializing on the patio

Dinner at Il Fondaccio dei Dottori.

 

Day 8

Breakfast

 

Lunch

 

Rhys: “Setting: The historical mystery"

 

Writers work on writing assignments.

 

Predinner aperitivi and socializing on the patio.

Dinner at Il Fondaccio dei Dottori.

 

Day 9

Breakfast

 

Individual writing

 

Lunch

 

Rhys: "Creating suspense, mood, research”

 

Farewell Dinner at Ristorante Il Re Gallo, and Certificate of Completion Award Ceremony.

 

Day 10

Breakfast

 

Departure for Florence Train Station/ Airport Amerigo Vespucci.