TRAVEL, FOOD & WINE WRITING CLASSES

TRAVEL WRITING IN PROVENCE

May 16 - May 22, 2010, in Vaison la Romaine, France

THE COURSE - Provence conjures up visions of sun, rows of vineyards, groves of cherry trees, fields of purple lavender--a dazzling feast for the senses. The French call it, Le Sud, a term that expresses its languor, warmth and rustic charm, the essence of joie de vivre.

The landscape has inspired great writers and artists over the centuries: Van Gogh painted his famous The Starry Night in Arles; Paul Cezanne brilliantly rendered the colors of the landscape in his L’Estaque; Marcel Pagnol wrote The Glory of my Father, a magical memoir of his youth in Provence; English expatriate Peter Mayle highlighted the humor of provincial life in A Year in Provence and many other books.

Lavender fields outside Vaison la Romaine.

This 2010 Travel, Food and Wine writing class will allow you to experience the richness of Provence and write your version of it. We will visit the region’s best wineries and restaurants, tour its famous monuments, and learn the art and craft of putting all of these experiences down on the page. The class is an intensive seminar in Travel, Food and Wine writing and a fantastic experience to boot. See the testimonials below.

Travel writing, Food writing and Wine writing are some of the most appealing genres of nonfiction, calling on all of an author's skills—dramatic scenes, character sketches, concrete detail, point of view, scene by scene construction—to compose compelling, engaging travel narratives. In addition to these skills, participants will learn the five best ways of opening a story and how to craft compelling settings that will bring their stories to life. This six-day intensive travel writing class will introduce you to essential techniques of travel, food and wine writing and give you expert, insider advice about how to submit and publish finished travel stories. The class resembles a press trip, where writers gather information not only by interviewing and research but by directly participating in the events.

The lovely hilltown of Vaison la Romaine with Mont Ventoux.

In addition to learning these skills, you’ll enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes tours unavailable to the general public. Best of all, you’ll receive up-to-date story ideas from local industry experts that you can turn into finished travel, food and wine stories by the end of the course and submit to newspapers and magazines for publication.

Travel writing, Food writing and Wine writing are some of the most appealing genres of nonfiction, calling on all of an author's skills—dramatic scenes, character sketches, concrete detail, point of view, scene by scene construction—to compose compelling, engaging travel narratives. This six-day intensive travel writing class will introduce you to essential techniques of travel, food and wine writing and give you expert, insider advice about how to submit and publish finished travel stories.

Pont du Gard: the grandeur that was Rome.

In addition to learning these skills, you’ll dine at outstanding restaurants, visit some of the world’s best wineries, and explore fascinating historic sights. You’ll enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes tours  unavailable to the general public. Best of all, you’ll receive up-to-date story ideas from local industry experts that you can turn into finished travel, food and wine stories by the end of the course and submit to newspapers and magazines for publication.

The six-day travel writing class will take place in Vaison la Romaine, one of the most beautiful medieval hill towns in Provence, and a center of the region's cultural and epicurian life since Roman times. The cost will be $2,400 per person, including accommodations and most meals. (Single supplement, $450 per person) Plane fare, transit to and from Vaison la Romaine and some meals extra (see itinerary below).

To enroll, please send me a non-refundable deposit of $600 to 201 Newell St., Seattle, WA 98109. Enrollment is limited to 10. For more information, contact me at nick@thewritersworkshop.net or 206-284-7121. The balance for the class will be due April 1st.

 

Online Travel Writing Classes

INTRODUCTION TO TRAVEL WRITING CLASS - The romance of travel writing is easy to understand. Who wouldn’t like to go on an all-expense paid trip to a Hawaiian resort? How about traveling the Whiskey Trail through the American South, visiting the best micro distilleries? Or what about a food and wine tour of Argentina? These are all trips I have turned down recently, mostly from lack of time. Would you like to go in my place? Sign up for the travel writing class you’ll learn the techniques of travel writing which can lead to getting invited on these trips.

Travel writing is one of the most exciting genres of nonfiction, calling on all of an author's skills—dramatic scenes, character sketches, concrete detail, point of view, scene by scene construction. Through readings, written assignments and individual critiques, students in the travel writing course will gain a practical grasp of these techniques. Class will discuss where to market work. Six assignments including a 1,500- to 2,500-word travel story and its revision. $500.

 

2010 Travel, Food and Wine Writing Class in Provence, France

TRAVEL, FOOD AND WINE WRITING COURSE IN PROVENCE - TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

SUNDAY – 7:30 p.m. - Welcoming dinner at the Fontaine Restaurant in the Hostellerie le Beffroi, a 16^th century building lovingly restored by the owners. Sample Côte du Rhone wines and regional specialties such as red tuna carpaccio, lamb fillets with thyme and crème brulée with lavender honey as you get to know the other participants.

MONDAY – 9 a.m. to noon - Introduction to the travel writing course, discussion of travel writing, genres of travel writing (article, essay, profile, etc.), story ideas. Noon to 2 p.m. – Lunch - 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Tour of Vaison la Romaine. Dinner at the Fontaine Restaurant. (Breakfast and dinner provided.)

TUESDAY – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Lecture and discussion of scenes, scene by scene construction; 11 a.m. visit Vaison’s wonderful Tuesday market. Noon to 2 p.m. – Lunch – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tour of Roman ruins.

WEDNESDAY – 9 a.m. leave to visit Pont du Gard, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and tour Vieux Telegraph or other outstanding winery – dinner at the renowned La Mère Germaine in Chateauneuf du Pape. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner provided.)

THURSDAY – 9 a.m. The five best ways of opening a story and nut graphs - 10 a.m. - noon - Draft story.  Noon to 2 p.m. – Lunch. - 2 p.m. - Optional walk through surrounding countryside.  (Breakfast provided.)

FRIDAY – 9 a.m. to noon – Write, workshop stories - Noon to 2 p.m. – Lunch – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Discuss publication, writing query letters, course evaluation. - 8 p.m. - Class celebration at the Fontaine Restaurant.  (Breakfast and dinner provided.)

 

THE PLACE - Soak up the sun and relaxed ambience of southern France at this lovely medieval town on the banks of the Ouveze River in the heart of the Cote du Rhone region, 30 miles north of Avignon.

Founded by the Romans, Vaison la Romaine boasts an extensive collection of Roman ruins and hosts one of the oldest and most vibrant weekly markets in France, selling everything from tomatoes, olives, lavender oil and wine to shoes, clothes and all kinds of Provencal fabrics and specialties. The region’s brilliant sunlight and bright colors have inspired artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso, and Matisse, and provided fantastic fodder for writers from Roman times to modern writers Jean Giono, Marcel Pagnol and  Peter Mayle.

Local cuisine features some of the freshest and most varied ingredients in France, including scallops with carrots and cumin soufflé, scorpion fish mousse with herbs, curry cream, and guinea hen breast with balsamic vinegar. Vaison la Romaine is a town built on the human scale, perfect for relaxing strolls along the banks of the river, window shopping in the central square and late evening suppers in one of the town’s many outstanding restaurants. It epitomizes the relaxed joie de vivre of Provence.

THE INSTRUCTOR -  My introduction to the moveable feast that is Europe began during a junior year abroad program in Nantes, France. On weekends and holidays, I criss-crossed the continent with my rail pass, visiting Florence to see the Michaelangelo’s David and indulge in a bottle of Chianti with Bistecca Alla Fiorentina. The next weekend I'd board the night train to Madrid to gawk at Goya’s black paintings and drink way too much sangria. Then I'd return to Nantes to enjoy oysters with a bottle of Muscadet and the occasional splurge on a leg of lamb with a good Bordeaux. In completing my studies in French at Amherst College, I saturated myself in the continent’s language, literature, art and history. I returned to Italy, France, Spain and Germany many times since then, traveling all over the continent to savor its food, wine and culture.

This in-depth knowledge of Europe quickly led to writing about it. Today, I contribute to Newsweek, Gourmet, Condé Nast Traveler, Saveur, Food and Wine, The Wine Spectator, Outside, GO, National Geographic Adventure, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Commonweal, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Westways, Sierra, and other publications. I’ve written the following books, On Sacred Ground: The Spirit of Place in Pacific Northwest Literature (2003), At the Field's End: Interviews with 22 Pacific Northwest Writers (1998), Contemporary Ecofiction, (1996), Beyond Risk: Conversations with Climbers (1993).

In addition to working as a freelance travel writer, I moonlight as a winemaker, making a Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah under the Les Copains label. At one time I contemplated a career as a winemaker, but shelved the idea because I enjoyed writing and teaching too much. After completing my MFA in fiction writing and PhD in Literature at the University of Washington, I went on to create the university’s year-long program in Narrative Nonfiction in 1993, one of the first such programs in the country. After teaching in that program for a number of years, I founded www.thewritersworkshop.net, an online and on-campus writing program based in Seattle, Washington. This program allows me to indulge my passion for teaching small, personalized travel writing classes as well as introduce students to the incredibly rich history and culture of Provence, one of the crown jewels of this beautiful continent.

Nicholas O'Connell, Writer's Workshop founder.

 

ACCOMMODATIONS:

 Double-occupancy rooms at the Hostellerie le Beffroi in the medieval city. Single rooms available with a $450 supplement.

TO ENROLL - Please send me a non-refundable deposit of $600 to 201 Newell St., Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Enrollment is limited to 10. Spouses, partners or friends can attend the events and meals but not the class for $1500, with a $500 deposit. For more information, contact me at nick@Thewritersworkshop.net or 206-284-7121. Please sign up early; the class likely will fill quickly.

                                                  Hostellerie le Beffroi's pool overlooking the town.

 

RECOMMENDED READING

My Life in France, by Julia Child.

A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway.

A Year in Provence, by Peter Mayle.

Adventures on the Wine Route, by Kermit Lynch.

From Paris to the Moon, by Adam Gopnik.

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain.

The Art of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher.

 

RECOMMENDED VIEWING

Jean de Florette

Manon of the Spring

 

GETTING THERE:

By bus:Take plane or train to Avignon, where buses depart regularly for Vaison La Romaine. (2-3/day, 90 minutes from Avignon.) Tell the driver to stop at the Office de Tourisme. When you get off the bus, walk five minutes down the avenue Generale de Gaulle, cross Roman Bridge, and walk up cobblestone street to reach Hotel le Beffroi.

By car: Drive north from Avignon, following signs to Vaison la Romaine and Centre-ville. Follow signs up narrow winding cobblestone streets to Hotel le Beffroi, which has covered parking.

 

WHAT FORMER STUDENTS SAY

I wanted to say thanks for an amazing trip! It keeps hitting me now just how special everything was, particularly meeting the winemakers…wow! Thanks so much for making the trip so memorable.

- Anne Banas is the Executive Editor of Smarter Travel

The Travel, Food and Wine Writing Class was so much fun that I find myself smiling whenever I think of it.  The small class size is ideal for a seminar and even better for the excursions to the wineries and restaurants.  Nick is extremely knowledge in all areas included in the seminar and is a marvelous host with a great sense of humor.  It is obvious why the small “garage” wineries and the venerable estates alike warmly welcome Nick and his entourage. While not a fan of group travel in general, this travel writing class could not have been better.  I highly recommend it to aspiring travel writers, Francophiles, and anyone who wants to enrich their appreciation of wine and food. 

- Kate Jackson is a writer from Missoula, Montana.

James and Marcus howled with laughter. Ann and Jack, heads crushed together, pored over photos. Nick gestured wildly, indicating precisely what it is about Bordeaux that speaks to his soul. Balash, the international party boy/philosopher, snatched and drained half empty glasses. Out of the corner of my eye I saw silver-haired Barbara tiptoe into the kitchen in search of more crème brûlé. I felt the kind of relaxing smile you feel at the end of a long day with people you know well. How did this selection of strangers become so at ease with each other?...
http://www.thewritersworkshopreview.net/article.cgi?article_id

- Erin Byrne is a writer from the Seattle area.

I can’t thank you enough for our week in Saint-Émilion. Rosemary and I had so much fun. I learned so much about travel, writing, food, wine and good teaching. I am so grateful.

 - Andy Hall is a freelance writer from Seattle, Washington.

I'm still smiling over our excellent St. Emilion adventure! Take care and thanks!

 - Kristin DeCook is a freelance writer from Chicago.

Thank you for such a wonderful week - you are a master!

 - Lauren Hirt is a freelance writer from Seattle, Washington.

 

View of Vaison la Romaine from Hostellerie le Beffroi.

The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.

L'Estaque by Paul Cezanne.