More information about our writing courses:

Find Your Voice

Designed and taught for five years by Natalie for Bloomsbury via Writers & Artists, this course is suitable for writers of fiction and creative non-fiction. All participants will be provided with a collaborative space in which to develop individual writing styles and book ideas. This course is perfect for writers in the early stages of a writing journey, or for those with a completed draft but aware of the need to further interrogate their work and/or regain creative momentum. No previous formal writing experience is required to sign up.


Across the four days, you will be encouraged to write as much as you can, both in the form of free-writing and also through structured writing tasks to be used as a starting point for further workshop discussion. 

We’ll be working through samples from a diverse list of contemporary authors including Toni Morrison, Elizabeth Strout, Guy Gunarante, Claire-Louise Bennett, Owen Sheers, Yann Martel, Stephen King and Ocean Vuong.

  • 12 hours of advice from an experienced author and creative writing tutor

  • Practical sessions with hands-on exercises designed for you to revolve around your ideas

  • Guest speaker and literary evening

  • Course materials printed for you before you arrive.

  • Broad range of contemporary authors included in workshop discussions

  • Your group will consist of a maximum of 8 students

  • 1-1 mentoring session with Natalie

  • The support of a group of like-minded people with opportunities to socialise together and form lasting friendships.


“I loved Find Your Voice. Natalie made me feel like I could do this! I have come away feeling encouraged as a writer." Diane Woodrow

"Very useful. The exercises have driven a number of new pieces and the expertise and experience was invaluable." Tony Black

"I absolutely loved it. I felt heard and respected and loved the feedback and seeing how it improved my work.’ Fiona Houston

Develop Your Book Idea

Do you want to develop your book idea, taking it from a kernel in your mind to something fully-formed? 

Natalie will take you through each stage of idea and story development, asking you to consider structure and the all-important hook, character and voice, as well as how to define your plot. She'll share techniques and methods to keep you writing once the course is finished, and provide guidance on how to get your writing ready to submit to agents and publishers. 

Four 3 hour workshopping sessions to allow for feedback on your project from both Natalie and your peers.

  • 12 hours of advice from an experienced author and creative writing tutor

  • Practical sessions with hands-on exercises designed for you to revolve around your ideas

  • Guest speaker and a literary evening

  • Course materials printed for you before you arrive

  • Broad range of contemporary writing guides included in workshop discussions

  • Your group will consist of a maximum of 8 students

  • Opportunity for a 1-1 mentoring session with Natalie

  • The support of a group of like-minded people, with opportunities to socialise together and form friendships, and an ongoing writing group.

  • Texts we’ll be looking at: John Yorke : Into the Woods; how stories work and why we tell them; Robert Olen Butler : From Where You Dream: the process of writing fiction ; Dorothea Brande : Becoming a Writer; Lizzie Harker : Plotters and Pantsers; Julia Cameron :The Writers' Way; Natalie Goldberg : Writing Down the Bones; Vivian Gornick : The Situation and The Story; Stephen King : On Writing ; George Saunders : A Swim in a Pond in the Rain .

"The feedback environment was beneficial and generous of spirit. Great atmosphere to develop our writing and share with others taking part." Janine Meston

"Really enjoyed it - forced me to both read and write - helped me think about voice, technique, dialogue etc." Sam Davis

"Excellent, very useful indeed. Perfect course to gain confidence ." Laurence Pinturault