Tag Archives: Sarah Hymas

French House Party, Carcassonne – How it Began By Owner Moira Martingale

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By Margaret Graham with news of an exciting offer exclusive to Frost readers.

** A very special offer for Frost readers:  sign up for the House Party Creative Writing Retreat in June at this great venue, and  save £150. Just email Moira Martingale quoting the code: ‘Frost’. This is a rare opportunity to find time to finish that manuscript or short story in the company of others. A professional will be on hand to help when needed. There will be great food, wine, a swimming pool, sunshine… Read more to find out the where, what and why. 

French House Party, Carcassonne – how it began By owner Moira Martingale1

‘So,’ owner Moira Martingale ponders, ‘where did the idea of French House Party come from in the first place?’

One sultry August evening, sitting around the table in Carcassonne with friends, it turned out that all of us had read Yann Martel‘s Booker-winning ‘Life of Pi’ and everyone had a view about it. The book-talk went on for ages, punctuated only by the uncorking of further bottles of the lovely local wines from this region of southern France, which is Languedoc-Roussillon.

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We were all arty folk: a successful ceramicist, an early-retired theatre director, teachers, artists and writers, one of the latter being myself.  A journalist-turned-author, I also had a teaching qualification and a doctorate in English literature.

Suddenly it dawned on me: why not set up holiday courses for people to come and do precisely what we were doing: discussing books with each other during a holiday in the sun with lovely food and wine laid on.

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At that time there were five en suite bedrooms in this 200-year-old farmhouse, so in theory there was room for ten people. My friends were all skilled and enthusiastic artists and within minutes I had my Ceramics, Arts and Creative Writing tutors with a planned Books and Drama course run jointly by myself and my theatre director friend, Chris. It was as easy as that.

Or was it? Marketing? Promotion? Advertising? Annual accounts? Business plans? What did I know about forecasts and profits and losses? I found I knew nothing the moment the website went up. Because NOTHING happened. The enquiries@frenchhouseparty mailbox  was empty.

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Slowly I learned, and things picked up. My break-even point was five people per course and at six I was in profit, although I was clearly in no danger of being named in the Sunday Times Rich List.  Frequently we had three or four people booked onto a course and I still ran it. Ruthless businesswoman I was not.

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Eventually I made all the arts courses groups-only, other than Sarah Hymas’s Creative Writing, which was regularly over-subscribed. In 2009 I extended the house to eight bedrooms. Things were cooking, literally, because French House Party offered additional courses which individuals could join – various cookery breaks tutored by first-class French chefs and our Summer Songwriting course run by the respected singer-songwriter and 1970s/80s chart-topper Dean Friedman.

Along with Creative Writing, these remain the most popular, and are effortlessly filled year after year. Other arts courses continue to operate and the demand is, in fact, increasing, but now these are on a groups-only or privately-booked tailor-made basis.

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Dedicated writers have an additional option now. Sarah Hymas, who is a professional mentor at her publishing company, is for the first time, offering a Writing Retreat for authors whose work is either complete or in progress.  There will be no formal lessons, but individual one-to-one sessions for manuscript inspection, advice, help and ideas-input from someone with a pedigree in such expertise and who is fearless when it comes to sharing it.

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This course – ‘Pen & Think’ starts on 15 June and ends on 20 June. The all-inclusive price is £895. As with all our courses, we provide free airport transfers and include extras such as a couple of dinners, including wine, out at lovely restaurants. (See  our French house Party offer above)

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In the years since that first inspirational nudge from ‘Life of Pi’, French House Party has been named one of the top ten learning retreats in a National Geographic book ‘The 100 Best Worldwide Vacations to Enrich Your Life’ and we have a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor, reflecting customer satisfaction. This year the Daily Telegraph named us as one of the top ten cookery holidays in France.

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You see, it might have taken eight years, but finally I’m starting to sound like a businesswoman, aren’t I?

Moira Martingale

The French House Party, Carcassonne.

Email: enquiries@frenchhouseparty.co.uk    or    moiramartingale@me.com

Website: www.frenchhouseparty.eu

UK Mobile: 07900 322791

UK Landline:  01299 896819

 

 

Why Writers Return To Carcassonne By Jane Carling

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I am always on the look out to find ways of improving my writing and I also know that not only is a good tutor essential, but one needs time to think and concentrate. So hey, why not combine it with a holiday?  I struck lucky when, two years ago, I discovered French House Party. It is a country retreat that provides an all-inclusive oasis of calm for both experienced writers and novices who seek inspiration away from daily distractions of life.

J.SUNFLOWERS IN PEXIORIA

Located in the hamlet of Pexioria, the converted stone barn is about twenty minutes from Carcassonne in SW France.  Each of the pretty eight bedrooms are en-suite, individually styled and in June the scent of lavender fills the air, whilst just across the track are fields of sunflowers.  If only I could paint. On arrival at Toulouse, I was whisked away in an air conditioned limo to this haven and was greeted by my host, Moira Martingale with a glass of champagne as she introduced the group to one another. There were only six of us last year, although they can cater for up to twelve.  The only important decision required was Red, Rosé or White as delicious meals, prepared by the innovative Regine, was placed before you.

Inspirational tutor

Sarah Hymas runs the creative writing courses.  She is an accomplished mentor, coach, editor, and a recognised poet who also writes short stories and performs plays.  Effortlessly, she really made us think outside the box, encouraged our inner creativity, dispelled any inhibitions to overcome writing blocks and has a wicked sense of humour.

Writers at work

The course began at ten each morning until lunch, then we were free to write, walk, cycle
(the Canal du Midi is close) play tennis or table tennis, swim, or just sit in the sunshine with fellow scribes.

Dining out in Carcassonne

Included in the price, are two suppers in excellent restaurants, one of which is highly acclaimed and set within the Medieval City walls of Carcassonne.  There is also a free day for relaxation, to write, to shop or visit local attractions and one evening was dedicated to discussing our work over a leisurely Dinner.

This year they have introduced a retreat week, “Pen and Think” for those wishing to focus on personal projects and Sarah will provide individual support and critique.

Since discovering French House Party, I have made some great new friends including a Tasmanian hermit who is now travelling  the world, an enigmatic octogenarian who was writing her risqué memoirs and a fun character whose interpretation of French House Party was not quite what he expected.  In between the laughter and fun, there is much discussion and sharing of writing and publishing tips.

Relax and re-charge by the pool

Although this is not a cheap week, it is worth every penny for anyone of any age who is writing a novel, short stories or just starting out as a writer.  Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is daunting, but last year the disparate bunch of people blended so well that my laugh lines had doubled on my return.  So, armed with excess baggage of eye cream, in June I shall be returning for the “Pen & Think” week to indulge in the delights of words, warmth, and a little wine whilst hoping to get some work done.

As a romantic Indie novelist, I like to write fast paced romantic stories set in sunny locations and to date I have published two books, Pandora’s Box is set in Greece and my latest,  Ruby’s New Coat, is a wartime romance, set between London and Crete.

Details are on my website: www.janecarling.co.uk and both can be purchased on Amazon.co.uk and Kobo.com.

For more information about French House Party visit www.frenchouseparty.co.uk