Poetry writing course at Chateau Ventenac this May

Last April I stayed at Chateau Ventenac in the South of France for a mini-break and loved it. I'll be teaching a poetry course there from May 16 to 22nd, the best time to experience the Languedoc, sunny but not too hot.The chateau sits beside the Canal du Midi and has fabulous views across the vineyards towards the Pyrenees. The surrounding landscape is inspiring – lush vineyards, wild causses, gorges and Cathar strongholds.

Book on http://www.chateauventenac.com/writingcourses/pascalepetit.html 

Here is the course description:What do you really want to write about? What can only you write about? And how can you transform this raw material into poems that surprise you and the reader? This course will encourage you to explore what is important to you as a poet and offer inspiration for new directions. There will be plenty of exercises to generate vivid imagery and fresh language, enabling you to produce new poems each day, drawing on a wealth of source material. As well as generating new work we will spend time discussing how to shape drafts into vivid and memorable art. Be prepared to extend your boundaries and create your own fully sensed world. Expect an enjoyable week of hard work and fun in the luxurious surroundings of the chateau and Languedoc landscape.
There will be only between six and ten participants so each poet will get lots of individual guidance.

The mornings will be spent in creative workshops and discussion and the afternoons free for writing and for one-to-one tutorials. Everyone can book at least one hour of individual tuition with me during the week and I will be on hand to chat informally throughout the course. Contemporary poems will be used as models, so bring a few of your favourite poems by published poets, discoveries that have fuelled your writing. There will also be a chance for constructive group feedback on your work and advice on editing and getting published.

The Canal du Midi just below the Chateau steps

'Atlantique' One of the luxury bedrooms

 Minerve is a Cathar fortress perched over a gorge.
Lots more info on http://www.chateauventenac.com/writingcourses/pascalepetit.html