Book a writing weekend
If most of the time you’re prevented from getting on with writing or painting by the numberless small and annoying interruptions of everyday life, a week’s course in a remote, beautiful location with like-minded – or similarly obsessed – people, is a great way to get some real work done
By 
Psychologies
Here's some inspiration:
- The Watermill at Posara in Tuscany offers week-long creative writing and painting courses, and non-painting/writing partners are given a £200 discount. watermill.net/writing-holidays
- The Arvon Foundation is a charity that runs retreats year-round in various properties across the UK, and offers a variety of genre-based courses. They work to ensure that anyone who wants to write can afford a place on one of their courses. arvon.org
- The Skyros Writer’s Lab is a firm favourite with writers, not just for the idyllic Grecian setting but for the calibre of tutors (including Hilary Mantel and Hanif Kureishi). skyros.com
- At Ty Newydd Writers’ Centre, learn about blogging, gaming and haiku as well as more traditional offerings. See Literature Wales, llenyddiaethcymru.org/ty-newydd
- If you can’t commit to a week away, try a day. Charlie Haynes, an ‘Olympic-level procrastinor’, runs day-long writing retreats at various London venues and the £40 fee includes cake. Bargain. She also organises longer residential retreats in Newton Abbot, Devon. urbanwritersretreat.co.uk
- For details of smaller courses run by individuals, visit a comprehensive directory at writers-online.co.uk
