Book Bound Retreat

Residential writing retreat for children's and YA fiction writers, run by a team of commissioning editors who are also published writers. Next retreat in 2018!

[Rowena House @HouseRowena]

Five favourite editing exercises when faced with a flabby draft [with apologies for typos] NB to self: Exercise 6: proof read thoroughly before hitting send. Special thanks @emma_darwin @emlynas @BookBoundUK & Stephen King. #amwriting #amediting #fiction https://t.co/AG5LHspiJt

[Anna Cole @AnnieLouCole]

Had such a great weekend at @BookBoundUK! Motivated and inspired and can’t wait to put what I’ve learnt into practice! #amwriting #amediting #Writerslife

[Susan Mann @susankmann]

This weekend I was at the most amazing & intense writing retreat, @BookBoundUK Designed to take my novel to the next level. I came away inspired, equipped & met so many amazing people. My brain is a bit fried & they journey long, but worth every minute. #writing

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

@AmberCaraveo Thanks so much for being so generous with your time and positivity. ❤️

[Little Miss Contrary 🎯 @EimanMunro]

Having spent an intense weekend @BookBoundUK how can one not be inspired here. I mean look at it...

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

Now we have our amazing agent panel: @alicelovesbooks @SkylarkLit @FelicityTrew @InkledPicks in the dance studio.

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

If what you're doing isn't working, it your feeling stuck, go play. Nurture your voice by trying something totally new. Like a peach sorbet to cleanse your pallet. Find your voice again through wild experimentation. @SarahGreenhouse

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

What is the difference between weak and strong writers? Well, think about a weak public speaker: rambling, vague, verbose, not meaningful... Instead, you want clarity of thought, focused intention, clear pictures with all the senses, mix up rhythm. Less is more. @SarahGreenhouse

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

"Voice lives in the deep waters and the dark places of your soul." A quote by Holly Lisle, shared by @SarahGreenhouse

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

@ChristinaBanach @SarahGreenhouse @SCBWI_BI Sorry about the not-actually-thread-ness. Thanks for the mention!

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

You don't have time for all this voice silliness? Time box it! Give yourself 15 mins every morning for an exercise - try things outside your comfort zone. Play games. Push yourself, dare to be dreadful. says @SarahGreenhouse. That time will be well spent in service of your voice.

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

Practice your voice by telling your story aloud. Ignore "supposed to" and just blurt things out. See if you can find your idiosyncrasies in what you've said. Nothing is wasted, just keep trying from all different perspectives until you find pieces of your voice @SarahGreenhouse

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

There is a strong connection between your ear and your voice. Develop your ear. More inspiration now, reading from @MeganLMiranda and pointing out the cadence, the repetition, the rhythm of the words, and how they sound aloud.

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

The interpretation comes from the choices you make: the words, your syntax and sentence structure. The metaphors you create, the objects you focus on. Take some risks. Don't be confined by what you're "supposed" to write. @SarahGreenhouse

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

Voice develops like a singer's voice. It takes training, practice, getting to know yourself and some blunders along the way. But don't just learn the notes, you must interpret them in your own way, influenced by your experiences and beliefs. @SarahGreenhouse

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

There are two layers of Voice. The voice you bring as a writer, and the voice of your character. If you know a writer's voice well, you could identify it, no matter what character they are writing. @SarahGreenhouse

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

Now we have @SarahGreenhouse talking to us about The Magic of Voice. Inspiring us with an extract from The Truth about Twinkie Pie by @yehface. What is the one word that defines your book's voice?

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

Just kicking off with @TigWallace as our editor speaker @BookBoundUK. He's existing explaining how children's book editors get to work across all ages and genres. (Not in a specific channel like adult editors.)

[Stephanie Ward @StephMWard]

If you have to go to a writing retreat, you might as well go to one in an English manor. Just saying. @BookBoundUK

[Book Bound Retreat @BookBoundUK]

This is going to be so amazing! We can't wait, either! https://t.co/EjOtwNQLcL

[Sarah Davies @VoiciSarah]

Very excited to do the keynote talk at the @BookBoundUK retreat this weekend. It's all about voice, voice, voice! Can't wait to meet the attendees in beautiful Kent.