Arvon Crime Writing Course in Inverness with Val McDermid and Andrew Taylor - Review

Arvon Crime Writing Course

 Tutors: Val McDermid  and Andrew Taylor

Guest Tutor: Allan Guthrie

July 2013

 

Moniack Mhor Inverness

This course was brilliant.  After a personally difficult year the combination of expert guidance from the tutors, the relaxing environment and the support and stimulus of being with other aspiring crime writer's, was uplifting.  As a result, barely a day has gone by when I haven't written, edited, reread or scribbled down an idea (even when on holiday) - Thanks Val and Andrew and fellow Arvon Criminalites!
 



 

Moniack Mhor

Our home for the week was a
beautiful rustic cottage with an extension to the kitchen and bedrooms.  This shows the Kitchen annex and the upstairs bedrooms and part of the living room.  Below is a separate cottage that housed the tutors, computers and a few of the course members.
As you can see the weather was fantastic for the entire week and the sunsets were amazing!!! 

On Arvon courses Tuesday to Friday mornings are spent at workshops led by the tutors.  The afternoons are dedicated to either tutorials or free time (one tutorial, per tutor, per week).  Wednesday evening has a guest speaker.  Each attendee is expected to help cook the evening meal on one of the four evenings (Monday's is cooked for you).  The Arvon staff are lovely.  Really helpful and accommodating.


Val McDermid and Andrew Taylor

Both of these talented writer's were encouraging throughout  the week. On Monday night we got to know each other and then on Tuesday we had our noses to the grindstone.  Each morning Val and Andrew led us in a series of lectures combined with writing activities to help us develop as writer's.  Over the week we covered plotting, dialogue, suspense, character development and... HOW NOT TO PLAY CHARADES!
In the afternoons we either had a tutorial with Val or Andrew or could write, explore the countryside or in some cases meditate.

The tutorials with Val and Andrew  

 
Personally Andrew helped me focus on the Point of View for my crime story and his suggestions of possible weaknesses in my storyline have made me tighten up various aspects of the plot.  His input on character development was definitely helpful.  His last comment of  'if you can pull it off it'll be great' filled me with a combination of fear and exhilaration but, most of all, caution.  He's right.  The subject area I'm embracing is too important to be written shoddily so I'm pacing myself on this idea for now to let it bubble a bit more, till I feel confident enough to tackle it.

Val, gave me a whole load of ideas.  The main one was to go back to an idea I'd started in the past and had positive feedback about - I'm going to finish this novel and 'get it out there to anyone who'll read it.' 
Val, as a veteran crime writer, offered practical advice re including humour in my work and on contacting agents.  She pointed out the importance of editing and reading my own work aloud - siting as evidenc eof this important strategy my overuse of the word 'vomit'.  If I ever get published Val I'll be sure to credit you with the lack of vomit in my writing.  Val made me feel able to progress in my writing and her humour and honesty inspired me to crack on and work. 
 
The Guest Speaker (Wednesday evening)

Allan Guthrie wears many hats and as such provided a valuable source of information for us.  He is not only a crime writer, but also the founder of Blasted Heath e-publishing company, an editor and an agent.
 
Allan, begun the evening by reading part of a collaborative short story by him and Stuart MacBride.  This led to an interesting discussion on the pro's and cons of working collaboratively and also on consistency of voice through the story.
He also then went on to answer any and all our queries about e-publishing and self- publishing.  Poor Val and Andrew were exhausted by midnight when we were still asking Allan questions because they still had reading to do for the next days tutorials.

The Arvon Criminalites
The random group of aspiring crime writer's (and the three tutors) from all over the world and from various walks of life, who gathered in Inverness in July were wonderfully supportive, interesting, creative and talented people. Sasha travelled all the way from Israel (If you're ever looking for a comfortable warm welcome in Jerusalem please look up Sasha's B&B).
Adam Lebor (an already published author of both factual and fictional work (who really needs to work on charades skills), and journalist) travelled from Budapest and Diane Bretherick, newly published author of City of Devils came from Portsmouth.  The rest of us descended from all areas of Britain - although Cathy walked sometimes (She lives close by)

Hearing extracts from everyone's work read aloud was one of the best times of the course.  The range of ideas, styles, plots, era's, characters .... etc was amazing.  Good Luck to all of you who are trying to get published through whatever avenue.

http://www.arvonfoundation.org/8415/Moniack-Mhor
www.andrew-taylor.co.uk
http://www.valmcdermid.com/
www.allanguthrie.co.uk
www.blastedheath.com/