Starts 14th January - Short Story Course with Linda Cleary at Diwan Zamalek

Please note that to register you must go to Diwan Zamelek store and give your name and payment in advance - as seats go quickly! *Diwan deal with ALL registration.

Short Story Course with Linda Cleary

For those who completed the 4 week Creative Writing course or who have proven writing skills.

This course focuses on work on character, voice, atmosphere, plot and building story and we continue with further creative writing expansion techniques.

We also read published short stories for discussion and understanding format, focusing on the necessary elements for each student to produce a final draft of a 1000 word narrative.

4 weeks (8 hr course)

once a week on Tuesdays 
starting 14th January 2014

from 7.30pm to 9.30pm

at Diwan Zamalek

Price 540 LE

Limited number (10 students maximum only) – please register in advance

Age group: for adults (17 yrs +)

Info on Linda Cleary:

http://www.writerscentre.blogspot.com

http://lindaclearypoetry.blogspot.com

http://www.soundcloud.com/lindacleary

http://www.youtube.com/lindawildfire

January 2014 Creative Writing courses!!!!

Here's the list of new Creative Writing courses available in January, also available in the new Maadi Diwan Bookstore villa :))) Book in advance, by going into the Diwan store you wish to take the course in and registering, to ensure a place!

Please note the following changes of dates:

Creative Writing Course at Diwan Maadi postponed to start Sunday 12th January 

Creative Writing Course at Diwan Zamalek postponed to start Monday 13th January

December Dates for the Creative Writing Course at Diwan Zamalek & Heliopolis

POSTPONED by 1 week: the Creative Course at Heliopolis is POSTPONED to Saturday 14th Dec at 7pm!! All details on the poster - but remember the date change Go into the store itself to book your place. See you all there

Rowayat - a New Literary Journal for Egypt

Rowayat www.rowayat.com is the new venture started by the wonderous and most courageous Sherine Elbanhawy that I am privileged to be part of as Editor in Chief.  Rowayat is a new literary journal for Egypt - markedly different as it is publishing work in English from Egyptian writers or those with a strong tie to Egypt.  

Please read the open letter below from us at Rowayat - and also make sure to follow our website and all other pages given there such as Facebook and Twitter.  Even more important; be watching out in January for the printed journal featuring both emerging and established writers!  Exciting!

Open Letter from Rowayat Team

Dearest Writers,

Firstly, thank you. Thank you for being who you are, for writing, for being committed to the Word, for allowing the poetry of life to be what you do. 

Hopefully you have been contacted by someone from Rowayat to submit, and spread the word. Rowayat is a dream of ours that is coming into existence. 

The first step of this dream, in this digital age, is online through our website www.rowayat.com

 

The primary function of our website is for students to enter the fiction competition, as well as highlighting the hybridity of writers from Egypt in the past, present, and future.

Rowayat, is a biannual new literary journal emerging from Egypt, for Egyptian writers writing in English and international writers living here. 

This is just the start, the first issue of the journal will be out Jan2014.

So welcome to Rowayat, join our dream, and help highlight writers emerging from Egypt.

We leave you with words from Ahdaf Soueif's, In the Eye of the Sun, “I haven't come to you only to take, I haven't come to you empty handed: I bring you poetry as great as yours but in another tongue, I bring you black eyes and golden skin and curly hair, I bring you Islam and Luxor and Alexandria and Lutes and tambourines and date-palms and silk rugs and sunshine and incense and voluptuous ways”.

Through Rowayat we hope people can breathe, see, and feel Egypt.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

The Rowayat Team

Samhain felucca with Poe, Rossetti & Frankenstein on the Nile

part Writers' Centre event and part personal joy taking - we took a felucca today 31st October, at dusk, and enjoyed some of the Gothic and Romance poems and writings of Poe, Mary Shelley and Rossetti. I bought bling skulls, candles and something with roses on it and before the felucca docked we wrote wishes and gave them to the Nile.

A Dream Within A Dream – Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow-
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand-
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep- while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem

 
But a dream within a dream?

Advanced Course in Creative Writing

THIS COURSE IS POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE


Advanced Creative Writing Course
with Linda Cleary

10 hour course in Advanced Creative Writing – LE 700
4 sessions of 2 ½ hours each
(Sundays 7pm to 9.30pm)

starting POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

at Mesaha Street

Dokki

(full address given after confirmation of place)

Places limited to 10 people

Course outline
This course is for those people who have completed the first course(s) with me

and for new students with demonstrated abilities.  

The course requires a creative aptitude, proven skills and commitment to producing assignments.

It is an intense 4 session course 

with further creative writing writing exercises and discussion

to strengthen description, atmosphere and imagery; 

we also work on several key topics each week such as contemporizing myth in writing, 

symbolism and surrealism, writing creative non fiction and 

strengthening editing skills by working on review and critique

 as well as discussion and individual work.

Prospective students must apply by email or via Facebook inbox

 and they will be notified if they are selected

 

Short Story Course at Diwan Zamalek

Please note that to register you must go to Diwan Zamelek store and give your name and payment in advance - as seats go quickly! *Diwan deal with ALL registration.

Short Story Course with Linda Cleary

For those who completed the 4 week Creative Writing course or who have proven writing skills.

This course focuses on work on character, voice, atmosphere, plot and building story and we continue with further creative writing expansion techniques.

We also read published short stories for discussion and understanding format, focusing on the necessary elements for each student to produce a final draft of a 1000 word narrative.

4 weeks (8 hr course)

once a week on Mondays starting 28th October

from 7.30pm to 9.30pm

at Diwan Zamalek

Price 540 LE

Limited number (10 students maximum only) – please register in advance

Age group: for adults (17 yrs +)

Info on Linda Cleary:

http://www.writerscentre.blogspot.com

http://lindaclearypoetry.blogspot.com

http://www.soundcloud.com/lindacleary

http://www.youtube.com/lindawildfire

Creative Writing Courses at Diwan in October and November

Please note that to register you must go to the Diwan store you wish to take the course in and give your name and payment in advance - as seats go quickly! *Diwan deal with ALL registration.

Creative Writing Course with Linda Cleary

The Creative Writing course acts as an extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts as well as free writing.

There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.

4 weeks (8 hr course)

once a week on Tuesdays starting 29th October

from 7.30pm to 9.30pm

at Diwan Zamalek

and

4 weeks (8 hr course)

once a week on Saturdays starting 2^nd November

from 7pm to 9pm

at Diwan Heliopolis

Price 540 LE

Limited number – please register in advance

Age group: for adults (17 yrs +)

Info on Linda Cleary:

http://www.writerscentre.blogspot.com

http://lindaclearypoetry.blogspot.com

http://www.soundcloud.com/lindacleary

http://www.youtube.com/lindawildfire

Literary Salon on the Nile - Autumn Equinox

Today myself and 5 writers took a felucca on the Nile for a literary salon on water. We took a journey from Zamalek to Downtown, around the Sofitel and Four Seasons then back up to Zamalek. All in all one hour cruising whilst we shared narratives, poems, inspirations and ideas. It was a beautiful time! :)

Today was also International Peace Day and Autumn Equinox :)

For anyone interested, it's a public event for any writer or a person interested in the literary arts. We are limited to maybe 12 people for comfortable capacity, that's all, but it's a lovely thing to do. Check with the Writers' Centre FB page for all updates https://www.facebook.com/groups/374437262578364/

Creative Writing Courses in September at Diwan

Dear All, please see the new dates for the Creative Writing courses.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE HELIOPOLIS COURSE WILL NOW START SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER.  *Postponed by one week.

To register you must go to the Diwan store you wish to take the course in and give your name and payment in advance - as seats go quickly!  *Diwan deal with ALL registration.

Thank you and looking forward to seeing you there!  :)

Menu of my September Courses at Diwan

Writers' Centre Felucca - a Literary Salon on the Nile

Today myself and 10 writers took a felucca on the Nile for a literary salon on water! I have literary/arts salons most months (and I take feluccas quite a lot) but this was the first time I combined both situations :) 

We took a journey from Zamalek to Downtown, around the Sofitel and Four Seasons then back up to Zamalek. All in all one and half hour cruising whilst we shared narratives, poems, inspirations and ideas. It was a beautiful day! :)

You can see the whole photo album here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151931164600337.1073741855.781050336&type=1&l=a1ffedf603

For anyone interested, I intend to do them regularly and it's a public event for any writer or a person interested in the literary arts. We are limited to maybe 16 people for comfortable capacity, that's all, but it's a lovely thing to do. Check with the Writers' Centre Facebook page for all event updates and regular literary news https://www.facebook.com/groups/374437262578364/

 

August Writing Courses at Diwan

Please note that to register you must go to the Diwan store you wish to take the course in and give your name and payment in advance - as seats go quickly!  *Diwan deal with ALL registration.

Menu of my August Courses at Diwan

AMENDED - PLEASE NOTE NEW DATES/TIMES 


 Creative Writing Course with Linda Cleary

The Creative Writing course acts as an extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts as well as free writing.

There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.

4 weeks (8 hr course)

once a week on Tuesdays starting 13th August

from 7.30pm to 9.30pm

at Diwan Zamalek


and

4 weeks (8 hr course)

once a week on Saturdays now starting 24th August

from 7.30pm to 9.30pm AMENDED to start time of 1pm during curfew

at Diwan Heliopolis


Price 540 LE


Limited number – please register in advance

Age group: for adults (17 yrs +)


Info on Linda Cleary:

http://www.writerscentre.blogspot.com
http://lindaclearypoetry.blogspot.com
http://www.soundcloud.com/lindacleary
http://www.youtube.com/lindawildfire


-------------------------------------------------

Short Story Course with Linda Cleary

For those who completed the 4 week Creative Writing course or who have proven writing skills.

This course focuses on work on character, voice, atmosphere and plot and we continue with further creative writing expansion techniques.

We also read published short stories for discussion and understanding format, focusing on the necessary elements for each student to produce a final draft of a 1000 word narrative.

4 weeks (8 hr course)

once a week on Mondays now starting 26th August

from 7.30pm to 9.30pm AMENDED to start time of 4.30pm during curfew

at Diwan Heliopolis


Price 540 LE


Limited number – please register in advance

Age group: for adults (17 yrs +)


Info on Linda Cleary:

http://www.writerscentre.blogspot.com
http://lindaclearypoetry.blogspot.com
http://www.soundcloud.com/lindacleary
http://www.youtube.com/lindawildfire

Aurora Borealis and an Adventure

During the new Dreams & Writing course that started tonight (which is another fabulous group of talented and beautiful people) I got this sudden strong, very vivid and almost urgent will to find a camera person/documenter to come with me on an adventure to see the Aurora Borealis and also to a South Pacific Volcano. I have an idea (seriously) to get funding and do a part visual documentary/part fictional film/part written narrative not just on the trip but the symbology it holds for me; my own personal myths - the idea of belief and reality and how separate that often is. This is a fledgeling idea but I can see it and I know it would work. So... I need to find a documenter to do this with me!

Dreams & Writing course in Cairo

Dear All :)

I hope you are well.

I have decided to offer the Dreams & Writing course as a 3 session course here in Cairo. 

*The next Dream & Writing residential courses in Fayoum, Aswan, Siwa will be in September/October onwards.


Dreams & Writing Course
This 3 session writing course will look at how to use the alchemy of our own dream tapestry to weave into our creative writing.  We can use our dreams to work on theme, characters and archetypes, dramatic structure and plot.  We will also look at how Jung dealt with dreams and drama.  We will also look at Dreamtime totems and the dreaming of landscape.

The sessions will be Mondays, starting 17th June, 7pm till 10pm. (3 hr sessions on Monday 17th/24th and July 1st)

Venue - my apartment in Dokki, by Pyramisa Hotel (full address on registration).

Only 10 people maximum on the course, so to ensure your place register soon by email to: thewriterscentre@gmail.com


Payment
Cost per student = LE 700

------------------

All best,  Linda

Open Mic at The Writers' Centre, Mizan, Maadi

My Lovelies! My dear ones! Ya sha3reen! Oh Writers, Poets, Performers, Musicians, Artists!

The Phoenix is risen and the Open Mic night is to be with us once more, in renewed glory and delight we shall be in our new home at Mizan, Maadi.

Come all ye faithful and all ye philanderers, come and be intoxicated and satiate your souls.

Book your name on the list if you wish to read/orate/perform.
*To put your name on the list tell me here as a comment on this event or email me: lindawildfire@hotmail.com

Acoustic music only as no plug in (mic available however).

30 LE entrance

*Performers in for free (only performers on the list don't pay)

Bring flowers!!!!


Time and Place
7.30pm to 10.30opm
Wednesday 19th June, 2013
at Mizan

Villa 46, Road 9, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

 

(opposite Diwan on Rd 9 and by Sakanet metro station) 

All Things In Good Time

Dear All

Well it's been a busy time as ever here in Cairo with courses and working with various private students also.  I have also been doing a lot of my own work, my own writing, both with new poems and also a new series of short stories Stories From the Other Side - you can check my blog for that: http://www.lindaclearypoetry.blogspot.com/ 

I was hoping to join a writers' residency program myself through July/August in Europe, looking at Berlin and Italy, however it all seems rather convoluted! And so now I shall just go on a European sojourn through July and return to Cairo after Ramadan (or at least towards the end).  I want to put together a publication and so I need to take time out to collect which work I will include and also write some new work.

In terms of the Writers' Centre.. well.. there is something in the oven cooking up but that is all I shall say for now!  But you can expect a few events in June before Ramadan at 'a as yet unnamed location..' - events such as some film screenings (of films taken from novels), and an open mic.  Then in the autumn I hope to be in situ in the new place and having a program of events and the drop in centre and courses - All!  I shall also be programming in a series of Creative Writing residential trips to Fayoum, Bahareya, Siwa and Aswan from autumn onwards, when the heat cools down a little!  So watch this space for all details as they get released!

And last but by no means least - I am planning to stage a Writers' Ball!!  Think - villa, masks, feathers, music, dance!  I have the villa, kindly donated by a friend!

All shall be revealed in good time..

For now, adieu!  :)

Creative Writing courses in June!

Creative Writing courses in June! Last ones before Ramadan. Starting Sundays 9th June in Diwan Heliopolis and Tuesdays 11th June in Diwan Zamalek. All details on poster. To register go into store where course will be held and give name and payment in advance. Places go quick!

Creative Writing Workshops in Florence - July 2013

Florence anyone? And the 2nd workshop mentioned in the advert will appeal to those who have worked with me before - as this is a new one! and will lead to an installation work 'The Reality of Imagination' - a workshop leading to exhibition.  And if you want to book me for Paris, Berlin, Rome, St Petersburg, NY or any other cool place - please go right ahead :)

http://www.sincresisarte.org/workshop-con-linda-cleary/

Creative Writing course - starts this Saturday 18th at Diwan Heliopolis

Starts this Saturday 18th at Diwan Heliopolis ;)  Register in the store in advance.

Creative Writing Courses at Diwan in May

Important change of date to Heliopolis course! The Heliopolis course will now start Saturday 18th May - register in advance to ensure your name is booked in.  (The Zamalek course starts as planned on 13th but yesterday there were only 2 places left on that course so get booked in there fast!)  :)


Register in advance at the store that you wish to take the course in; and be aware that places go fast!

All details are on the poster (remember the Heliopolis date is now different from that on the poster!) :)

It was AMAZING!!!

I am just back from the fabulous residential writing course I just ran in Bahareya, Egypt. 

 It was an amazing experience for us all; such sheer beauty and tranquility in the deserts and oases; so many riches available for one's writing.

I can't wait to do the next one and will start planning soon!

Huge thanks to the great work from Cresco - Dalia Abou Senna & Claes Raben who organised the travel, tours, accommodation and bliss and the wonderful, beautiful people who came along on the course: Mehra Magd, Hanaa Hammad, Mona Yassin, Hanna Sistek, Mohammed Yahia, Mirette Baghat, Nora Tee, Ola El Ababby, Mina Sonbol, Myriam Rizkillah. 

You can view the whole set of photos here: 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151645133205337.1073741830.781050336&type=1&l=69d7266609

and you can read about what the course comprised of from an old post here: http://www.writerscentre.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-few-places-still-left-on-bahareya.html

Short Story course starts April 17th at Diwan Zamalek - Register now!!

Hi All, the next roll out of the Short Story course starts April 17th at Zamalek - Register in the Zamalek store as soon as possible as places will probably go quickly!  See you there!  ;)

The Desert Writing Trip This Weekend!

Sooooooooo looking forward to the Dreams & Writing desert trip this weekend!!!

The course content is fantastic (say so myself!) and we are going to be in astounding nature as well as some pampering in a lovely hotel. Add into the mix great people. What's not to LOVE?! :))

http://writerscentre.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-few-places-still-left-on-bahareya.html

Salon Amour

Well, the latest Salon was a long time waiting in the wings as the months went by.  Incredible; the various realities of time.  So, with all the catastrophes and gloom in the world what better focus to have than Love.  Hence Salon Amour, which was a writers' and artists' salon with the theme of Love - and all that it is and all that it is not.

The Salon was amazing, profound and a treasure of excellent work and expression.

You can see the photo album here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151626780030337.1073741829.781050336&type=1&l=dfe1ed1033

Love!!! 

Short Story Course at Diwan Zamalek starting April 17th

Short Story Course
with Linda Cleary

for those who completed the 4 week Creative Writing course or who have proven writing skills.

This course focuses on work on character, voice, atmosphere and plot and we continue with further creative writing expansion techniques.

We also read published short stories for discussion and understanding format, focusing on the necessary elements for each student to produce a final draft of a 1000 word narrative.

Course hours
4 weeks (8 hour course)
One session per week on Wednesdays (2 hour session)
at Diwan Zamalek

Starting Wednesday April 17th

Maximum number of participants: 10 people
Age group: for adults (17 yrs +)

Price: 480 LE
Go into Zamalek store to register in advance

A Few Places Still Left on the Bahareya Desert Writing Trip!!!

a few places are still available on this course! 

Please contact me as soon as possible on: thewriterscentre@gmail.com 
to arrange your booking.  

'Dreams & Writing'
a 3 day residential creative writing holiday with Linda Cleary
in Bahareya oasis and desert
April 12 – 14, 2013

Your Leap to Inspiration

This is your perfect experience!

 

  We want you to experience a true time out from busy Cairo, where you find relaxation, enjoy the scenery, expand your horizon, and most importantly take the time out to WRITE!

---------------------------------

Dreams & Writing Course
The residential writing course will look at how to use the alchemy of our own dream tapestry to weave into our creative writing. We can use our dreams to work on theme, characters and archetypes, dramatic structure and plot. We will also look at how Jung dealt with dreams and drama. And importantly given the fabulous natural environment we will be in we will look at Dreamtime totems and the dreaming of landscape.

Over the course of 3 days you will receive 9 hours of writing tuition (one 3 hour class per day) as well as experience the inspiration and beauty of the landscape with tours into both the Black Desert and White Desert and other areas of significance.

It is a fantastic itinerary of writing class, desert camp and tours, exclusive hotel, meals and all transport included.

Only 12 people maximum on the course, so register soon to ensure your place.

---------------------------------


Short Biography of the Tutor
Linda Cleary is a poet - writer – performer, originally from UK with a theatre background and Diploma in LAMDA Speech and Drama. As well as her own work as a writer, actor and performer www.lindaclearypoetry.blogspot.com she has been delivering workshops in creative writing, theatre and related arts for many years; working in Holland, Czech Republic, Australia, UK and Egypt and currently provides courses at Diwan and El Mesaha Arts & Culture Center in Cairo, Egypt. She is also Director of The Writers' Centre.


---------------------------------

Tour itinerary, travel & accommodation arranged by CRESCO. CRESCO means: to grow, to expand, to spring in Latin. CRESCO help bring vision to reality by offering a bespoke service towards creativity and expression in unique settings; for Writers, Photographers and Artists through CrescoArtist. Begin your CrescoLife! www.crescolife.com


 
 

Location
One Night at the White Desert is located between the Bahariya and the Farafra oasis.
One Night in Bahareya’s most exclusive Qasr Al Bawity Eco Lodge

Bahariya
Bahariya Oasis is set in a depression of 2000 square kilometers, surrounded by black hills. Bahariya is known for its hot spring wells and incredible monuments.

About Qasr El Bawity
Qasr El Bawity is an ecolodge set in the middle of a lush palm grove in the heart of El Bawity, the capital of Bahareya Oasis. Built and decorated in the traditional style of the oasis.

About the White Desert
The White Desert covers an area of about 6,000 square kilometers on the southwest of Cairo. It is known for its white sands and strange shaped large rock formations. The considerably high chalk-colored hills make it look like an Arctic landscape contrasting with the deep blue sky. It is an open museum for geographical phenomena, fossils, and wild life and a natural reserve not only for its white sands, but also for being the land of rare plants, acacia trees, calcified trees, and springs. The White Desert is the home for many animals on the verge of extinction; there you can see Egyptian gazelles, white gazelles and rams. It also hosts monuments that go back to the era before Christ and the Roman era and is a location for rare caves, graveyards, as well as mummies and carved inscriptions.


Detailed Itinerary
 
Day 1
08:00 Leave Cairo and drive to Bahareya oasis (350km)
12:30 to13:30 Arrive Qasr El Bawity eco lodge, welcome drink, check-in, and lunch
13:30 Take backpacks and head to the Black Desert
14:15 to16:00 Trekking in the Black Desert
16:00 to16:30 Leave Black Desert and arrive at the White Desert camping site, checking the ancient spring on the way
17:00 to 20:30 Dreams & Writing 1st Session with Linda Cleary
21:00 BBQ Dinner (any allergies should be specified)
Night Camping in the Desert

Day 2
07:00 to 08:00 Wake up and breakfast
08:00 to 10:00 Visit Crystal Mountain on way to hotel
10:00 to 11:00 Arrive Qasr El Bawity eco lodge
11:00 to 13:00 Golden Mummies
13:00 to14:00 Settle in rooms at the hotel
14:00 to15:00 Lunch
15:00 to 18:30 Dreams & Writing 2nd session with Linda Cleary (including sunset at the mountain at18:20)
19:00 to 20:00 Dinner, relax, hang out around the fireplace

Day 3
08:00 to 09:00 Breakfast
09:00 to 10:00 Walk to the mountain by the lodge with views of Bahareya plateau
10:00 to13:30 Dreams & Writing 3rd session with Linda Cleary
13:30 to14:30 Time at the hotel and collect bags
14:30 to19:00 Drive to Cairo (lunch box in car)


The above mentioned tour includes:
Transportation from and to Cairo by Coaster bus
Jeeps when in Bahareya (Toyota Land Cruisers)
Meal plan as mentioned in the program – tea and coffee during session times
Accommodation 1st night White Desert camping, including all camping gear
Accommodation 2nd night at Bahareya – Qasr El Bawity www.bawity.com
Satellite phone, and GPS
First aid kit
Mineral water during the camping days
Professional desert Guide /Driver

The above mentioned tour excludes:
Drinks at hotel or restaurant
Personal expenses and extras at the hotels or tour
Alcoholic drinks
Any other item non-mentioned above
Gratuities

Practical information:
Insurance: All cars and participants joining our tours are insured against accidents.

Participants should bring:
Hats, sun glasses, sun cream, prescription medicine
Passports/ IDs and copies
Sandals, bathing suits, sweatshirts and trousers for night time
Shorts and t-shirts for mornings, scarf, flash light
Paper and pen in case your laptop runs out of battery in the desert
Your dreams!

Payments and rates
Full cost per student inclusive of all stated above = LE 1,690

Payable in full on registration (cash only). To arrange your booking please contact Linda Cleary at: thewriterscentre@gmail.com

  “The desert smiles and there is no place worth living but the desert”

We are event based only for the time being!

* For the present time the Centre is without a venue and is event based only, please look at the blog and Facebook page for details of upcoming events.

When we find a new home again then we will be a space for writers to hang out, write, use and contribute to the private library, network and share with an ongoing menu of events, readings, workshops, courses, salons and surgeries. Also offering writing days out in places of inspiration and interest and residential writing holidays.

For now we doff our cap and will whistle a merry tune as we click our heels once more down the lane!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - The Writers' Centre is closed.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - The Writers' Centre is closed. All events are cancelled. Any activity at the Dokki building is now cancelled; so, no Drop In, no film screenings and no Open Mic. Thank you. And I am sorry to tell you this message but the space that we had is not useable.

5 places left on the Diwan Heliopolis Creative Writing course starting this Saturday 23rd

There are 5 places left on the Diwan Heliopolis Creative Writing course starting this Saturday 23rd. The Zamalek course is FULL. Go in advance into the Heliopolis Diwan to book your place!

 *(the course was postponed from the date on the photo)

2 Places Available!! Dreams & Writing Residential Course in Bahareya

2 places have become available on this course! 

Please contact me as soon as possible on: thewriterscentre@gmail.com 
to arrange your booking.  
Registration closes in a few days.

'Dreams & Writing'
a 3 day residential creative writing holiday with Linda Cleary
in Bahareya oasis and desert
April 12 – 14, 2013

Your Leap to Inspiration

This is your perfect experience!

 

  We want you to experience a true time out from busy Cairo, where you find relaxation, enjoy the scenery, expand your horizon, and most importantly take the time out to WRITE!

---------------------------------

Dreams & Writing Course
The residential writing course will look at how to use the alchemy of our own dream tapestry to weave into our creative writing. We can use our dreams to work on theme, characters and archetypes, dramatic structure and plot. We will also look at how Jung dealt with dreams and drama. And importantly given the fabulous natural environment we will be in we will look at Dreamtime totems and the dreaming of landscape.

Over the course of 3 days you will receive 9 hours of writing tuition (one 3 hour class per day) as well as experience the inspiration and beauty of the landscape with tours into both the Black Desert and White Desert and other areas of significance.

It is a fantastic itinerary of writing class, desert camp and tours, exclusive hotel, meals and all transport included.

Only 12 people maximum on the course, so register soon to ensure your place.

---------------------------------


Short Biography of the Tutor
Linda Cleary is a poet - writer – performer, originally from UK with a theatre background and Diploma in LAMDA Speech and Drama. As well as her own work as a writer, actor and performer www.lindaclearypoetry.blogspot.com she has been delivering workshops in creative writing, theatre and related arts for many years; working in Holland, Czech Republic, Australia, UK and Egypt and currently provides courses at Diwan and El Mesaha Arts & Culture Center in Cairo, Egypt. She is also Director of The Writers' Centre.


---------------------------------

Tour itinerary, travel & accommodation arranged by CRESCO. CRESCO means: to grow, to expand, to spring in Latin. CRESCO help bring vision to reality by offering a bespoke service towards creativity and expression in unique settings; for Writers, Photographers and Artists through CrescoArtist. Begin your CrescoLife! www.crescolife.com


 
 

Location
One Night at the White Desert is located between the Bahariya and the Farafra oasis.
One Night in Bahareya’s most exclusive Qasr Al Bawity Eco Lodge

Bahariya
Bahariya Oasis is set in a depression of 2000 square kilometers, surrounded by black hills. Bahariya is known for its hot spring wells and incredible monuments.

About Qasr El Bawity
Qasr El Bawity is an ecolodge set in the middle of a lush palm grove in the heart of El Bawity, the capital of Bahareya Oasis. Built and decorated in the traditional style of the oasis.

About the White Desert
The White Desert covers an area of about 6,000 square kilometers on the southwest of Cairo. It is known for its white sands and strange shaped large rock formations. The considerably high chalk-colored hills make it look like an Arctic landscape contrasting with the deep blue sky. It is an open museum for geographical phenomena, fossils, and wild life and a natural reserve not only for its white sands, but also for being the land of rare plants, acacia trees, calcified trees, and springs. The White Desert is the home for many animals on the verge of extinction; there you can see Egyptian gazelles, white gazelles and rams. It also hosts monuments that go back to the era before Christ and the Roman era and is a location for rare caves, graveyards, as well as mummies and carved inscriptions.


Detailed Itinerary
 
Day 1
08:00 Leave Cairo and drive to Bahareya oasis (350km)
12:30 to13:30 Arrive Qasr El Bawity eco lodge, welcome drink, check-in, and lunch
13:30 Take backpacks and head to the Black Desert
14:15 to16:00 Trekking in the Black Desert
16:00 to16:30 Leave Black Desert and arrive at the White Desert camping site, checking the ancient spring on the way
17:00 to 20:30 Dreams & Writing 1st Session with Linda Cleary
21:00 BBQ Dinner (any allergies should be specified)
Night Camping in the Desert

Day 2
07:00 to 08:00 Wake up and breakfast
08:00 to 10:00 Visit Crystal Mountain on way to hotel
10:00 to 11:00 Arrive Qasr El Bawity eco lodge
11:00 to 13:00 Golden Mummies
13:00 to14:00 Settle in rooms at the hotel
14:00 to15:00 Lunch
15:00 to 18:30 Dreams & Writing 2nd session with Linda Cleary (including sunset at the mountain at18:20)
19:00 to 20:00 Dinner, relax, hang out around the fireplace

Day 3
08:00 to 09:00 Breakfast
09:00 to 10:00 Walk to the mountain by the lodge with views of Bahareya plateau
10:00 to13:30 Dreams & Writing 3rd session with Linda Cleary
13:30 to14:30 Time at the hotel and collect bags
14:30 to19:00 Drive to Cairo (lunch box in car)


The above mentioned tour includes:
Transportation from and to Cairo by Coaster bus
Jeeps when in Bahareya (Toyota Land Cruisers)
Meal plan as mentioned in the program – tea and coffee during session times
Accommodation 1st night White Desert camping, including all camping gear
Accommodation 2nd night at Bahareya – Qasr El Bawity www.bawity.com
Satellite phone, and GPS
First aid kit
Mineral water during the camping days
Professional desert Guide /Driver

The above mentioned tour excludes:
Drinks at hotel or restaurant
Personal expenses and extras at the hotels or tour
Alcoholic drinks
Any other item non-mentioned above
Gratuities

Practical information:
Insurance: All cars and participants joining our tours are insured against accidents.

Participants should bring:
Hats, sun glasses, sun cream, prescription medicine
Passports/ IDs and copies
Sandals, bathing suits, sweatshirts and trousers for night time
Shorts and t-shirts for mornings, scarf, flash light
Paper and pen in case your laptop runs out of battery in the desert
Your dreams!

Payments and rates
Full cost per student inclusive of all stated above = LE 1,690

Payable in full on registration (cash only). To arrange your booking please contact Linda Cleary at: thewriterscentre@gmail.com

  “The desert smiles and there is no place worth living but the desert”