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Plymouth

Write, Connect, Belong

Inclusive writing retreats and courses in Plymouth — affordable, welcoming, and inspiring.

A Relaxed, Welcoming Space for Every Writer

Inspired by Plymouth’s ocean horizon and the timeless pull of a blank page, Orwrite offers an inclusive space for writers to create, connect, and belong. Whether you’re picking up a pen for the first time or polishing your latest draft, our retreats and courses are designed to give you clarity, confidence, and community.

Alex

Retreats

Retreats

Find your space to write — full-day and half-day retreats overlooking Plymouth Sound.

Courses

Courses

From novels to poetry, join our six and twelve-week courses and unlock your creativity.

Blog

Blog

Tips, inspiration, and writerly musings to keep you motivated between sessions.

New Chapter

Why Orwrite?

Writing can feel impossible when you’re staring at a blank page, surrounded by distractions. Orwrite was created to give you a welcoming, distraction-free space to write or to try something new — with the support of a community that understands the joys (and struggles) of creativity.

 ✔ Affordable, inclusive retreats and courses

 ✔ Stunning Plymouth locations with ocean views

 ✔ Supportive community of writers at every level

Open Book

Featured Course:
Developing Your Novel Idea

Turn that spark of an idea into a fully mapped-out novel. In six weeks, explore character, plot, and structure so you’re ready to start writing with confidence.

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Developing Your Novel Idea

Build the story you've always wanted to write

Have you always wanted to write that novel? Do you have a novel idea and not know what do to with it? The first part of Orwrite's 1 Year Novel programme, this eight week in-person course will lead you through the fundamentals of story, developing the seed of your idea and mapping out your novel. Through guided sessions, you’ll explore your world, build a cast of characters and plot your novel’s journey, creating the foundation you need to return to the beginning and write your first scene. After this course: Graduate to the sixteen week Novel Builder course or give one of our other short courses a try.
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Creative Writing for Beginners

A relaxed six-week course exploring the fundamentals of storytelling for complete beginners.

Ever had a story idea you wished you could turn into a book? Or watched a film and wondered what it would feel like to see your own story on screen — but never know where to start? This six-week Creative Writing course is designed especially for complete beginners. In a friendly and relaxed environment, you'll explore the foundations of storytelling and discover how writers bring ideas to life on the page. Across the course, you'll experiment with different forms of writing, from short stories and novels to poetry and scriptwriting, while learning essential techniques such as: • Developing characters • Building engaging plots • Creating believable worlds • Exploring genre and style • Finding and developing story ideas Each session includes guided exercises, discussion, and time to explore your own ideas. There is no pressure to share your work unless you want to — the focus is on creativity, exploration, and building confidence. No previous writing experience is needed—just curiosity and imagination. Give it a try after all, who knows where your imagination might take you. (Price stated for full six-week course. Instalment options available on request — contact getintouch@orwrite.com for details.)
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Intro to Writing Children’s Fiction

Make the world magical; write a children's story

If you're a parent or a grandparent, there are probably a few stories you could recite by heart. Even if you're not, you can probably remember those stories you chose to read in childhood again and again (...and again). Either way, you might have a brilliant idea for a children's book, film or TV show but have no idea how- or where- to start. We've got you! This six week beginners course will guide you through the fundamentals of story telling and explore fiction for toddlers to young adults to inspire you to write exactly the kind of stories children will want to come back to again and again (... and again). (Price stated for full six week course. Instalment options available on request. Contact getintouch@orwrite.com for more information.)
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Skill Building for Creative Writers

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Writing Short Stories for Beginners

Featured Courses

Plymouth Writing Courses

Plymouth

Writing by the Sea:
Finding Inspiration in Plymouth

Plymouth’s ocean horizon has long been a muse for storytellers. In this post, we explore how its coastal charm fuels creativity — and why it’s the perfect setting for a writing retreat.

New Chapter

Full-Day Writing Retreats

Step away from life’s distractions and spend a full day immersed in your writing. With ocean views over Plymouth Sound, prompts for inspiration, and coffee on tap, our retreats give you the space to create.

Writing

Upcoming Retreats

A place to meet. A space to write. From quiet ocean‑view days to focused half‑day bursts — pick what works for you.

Mini Writing Retreat

Two hours of calm, focused writing time — perfect for a midweek reset.

Half Day Writing Retreat

Three hours of focused writing time in a supportive group.

Creative Christmas Writing Workshop

A day of festive creativity. Get your imagination flowing and write your way into Christmas.

Mini Writing Retreat

For busy writers who still want space to create

Full Day Writing Retreat

Six hours of focused writing time with ocean views, tea, and a supportive group.

Evening Retreat

Three hours of creativity with ocean views and a supportive community.

Tea & Coffee

Guided Writing

Community

Focused

Friendly

Affordable

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Perfection: The Writer's Nemesis

Writing's dead easy. One draft and it ends up on the bestseller's list. Right? If only it were that simple. Few writers experience the single draft miracle, while the rest of us chase the perfect draft. But hey, we're writers. Quests are what we yearn for. You may have noticed last post, I mentioned the writer's nemesis: the blank page. Perfection too, according to this post's title is their nemesis. Writers, it turns out, have a lot of them. Like Hercules, the poor writer must battle a...
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New Year, New Beginnings... But Where to Start?

Every story has to start somewhere. Yet starting is often the hardest part. The blank page- nemesis of writers everywhere- can be as daunting as it is alluring. But New Year is exactly the time to begin something new. And here's why... Every story starts with two magical words: What if? The possible answers are endless and that's what electrifies a writer. There's no limitation to imagination. Especially in the early stages. Before we get to the hows and whys and 'should that happen theres'....
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The Perfect Time to Write? It doesn't exist.

We all know what it's like. You  want to write. You need to write. But there's always something more important to be doing. W ork ,...
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Writing Tips

Finding your tribe: Why every writer needs a writing community.

Have you ever felt like the writer that couldn’t write? Everything you write is drivel. If, that is, you manage to write anything at all....

Reading Room

From the Blog

Stay Inspired

Join the Orwrite newsletter for tips, prompts, and updates on retreats & courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Just your notebook, laptop if you prefer, and an open mind! Tea, coffee, and creative prompts are provided.

  • Not at all — Orwrite is open to everyone from beginners to seasoned writers.

  • Most retreats are in Plymouth with views of the Sound, though occasional sessions may take place at other local venues.

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