De Hoop Collection is delighted to announce that it is hosting a Creative Writing residency – Writing Life – Writing Experience with the celebrated author Lesley Beake from Sunday 11 to Wednesday 14 July 2021.
“I named this residency after what I do – Writing Life. The inspirations are everywhere, all around us, and the desire to write is universal. And in the tranquil surroundings of the magnificent De Hoop Nature Reserve where we are surrounded by glorious nature and pristine landscapes, the inspiration is right there on our doorstep”, says Lesley.
The two-day residency will cover the basics of good writing – it will show you how to get the words down and get them to ‘dance to the right tune’. These words – atmosphere – ambience – sensuality – empathy – are key to developing a strong writing style. It will have you writing from the heart – with all the inevitable obstacles, distractions, difficulties, and occasional triumphs that come with that, and the considered use of these four elements – colour – light – music – texture will enrich as well as inform your work. It will not only teach you how to write well and what is required to be a writer it will also make you smile – ultimately it will be about having fun with writing, while maintaining a dedication to excellence, which is what makes a good story great.
“There are two things I’d like you to know before you start”, says Lesley. “One – writing isn’t about beginning the great novel. It can be a small fragment of memory – and be beautiful. And two – writing can be about the very small, meaningful moments, as well as the great events in life.”
The Writing Life – Writing Experience Residency:
- Dates: Sunday 11 to Wednesday 14 July 2021 (three nights)
- Price: from R3 945 per person sharing an equipped Cottage to R6 225 per person in an Opstal Suite
Package includes:
- full board – three nights’ accommodation at either an equipped Cottage or an Opstal Suite
- all meals – 3x dinner, 3x breakfast and 2x lunch (excluding drinks)
- writing workshop fees
Ts & Cs apply.
Writing Life – Writing Experience Bookings: Samantha Jooste – [email protected]
De Hoop Collection
Phone 021-422 4522 or email [email protected]
www.dehoopcollection.com
De Hoop social media handles:
- Twitter: @DeHoopReserve
- Instagram: @dehoopreserve
- Facebook: @DeHoopCollection
De Hoop Collection is a member of Cape Country Routes.
- Twitter: @CapeCountryR
- Instagram: capecountryroutes
- Facebook: @CapeCountryRoutes
In keeping with protocols regarding the Coronavirus, De Hoop Collection adheres to all stringent health and safety cleaning protocols – the safety of their guests and staff being of the highest priority.
Prepared for De Hoop Collection by Theresa Gibbon – [email protected] / 082 820 8437.
The De Hoop Collection in the De Hoop Nature Reserve (Western Cape)
The De Hoop Collection – a member of Cape Country Routes, is the first private/public partnership in the South African hospitality industry – opened in the De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape in 2007. The Reserve in the Overberg region, a short three hour drive from Cape Town along the world renowned Garden and Whale routes, is the perfect holiday destination for families, couples, groups, honeymooners and wedding parties, family reunions and birthday weekends and an ideal stop-over en route from the Cape Winelands to Plettenberg Bay. De Hoop Collection offers a wide range of accommodation designed to suit all budgets. Overlooking the beautiful vlei with its spectacular bird life is the staple of De Hoop’s dining scene The Fig Tree Restaurant, and the Silo Wine Cellar where an exceptional variety of wines can be enjoyed. De Hoop, a World Heritage site, offers world-class whale-watching and is paradise for bird enthusiasts with its more than 260 species of birds including the endangered Cape Vultures. As a colony of almost 200 vultures roost and nest in the Potberg Mountains exciting Vulture hikes and viewing opportunities are offered; other activities include interpretive marine walks, hiking and mountain biking trails, eco boat cruises on the vlei and Nature drives, tennis or boules. De Hoop a nature lover’s paradise with unparalleled peace and tranquillity may well be one of the Cape’s last unspoiled gems.
Lesley Beake
Lesley Beake has been involved with writing and editing children’s stories for thirty-five years and has published over 85 books. All her stories are set in Africa and are rich in African imagery and landscape. They vary from picture books for the very young, to novels for teenagers, with a good spread of stories for all ages in between. Much of her work involves writing for readers who are reading in English as their second, third, or even fourth language. The challenge of corresponding a reading level with an interest level is helped by her background in primary school teaching and in teaching English as a Foreign Language in the Middle East for the British Council. Lesley also has a wide portfolio of other writing, including travel writing, broadcasting and website work. She has edited three southern African travel magazines and four websites on wildly varied topics. Her books have been translated into numerous languages, worldwide and in Africa, and she has received many awards for her books. But the greatest satisfaction comes with meeting the young people who actually read her books – and in typing the last word of the manuscript in hand.
For more information on Lesley please visit: www.lesleybeake.co.za or email [email protected]
This post and content is sponsored and provided by Behind the Scenes Communications
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