What makes a fictional house memorable? How can you bring it to life in writing?

Many stories take their inspiration from a single house. From Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca to Julian Fellowes’ Downton Abbey, and of course Agatha Christie used Greenway as inspiration and setting for several books.

Perhaps you’re already working on a writing project, and you’d like the chance to explore the idea of the house in your own fiction. Maybe you've been meaning to put pen to paper and now seems like a good time.

Suitable for beginners and those with some experience of writing, the workshop will include investigating a few famous fictional houses alongside fun writing exercises to spark your own creativity.

Paper and pencils provided. Spaces are limited so booking is essential.

Joanna Quinn was born in London and grew up in Dorset, where her first novel The Whalebone Theatre is set. Published in 2022 it was an instant bestseller in the UK and the US. Shortlisted for Best Debut Fiction at the British Book Awards, it was chosen by HM Queen Camilla for her book club The Reading Room.

With a background in journalism, Joanna occasionally reviews books for The Guardian and teaches creative writing at universities and on writing retreats. Joanna worked in partnership with the National Trust and University of Exeter on HistoryScapes, bringing Greenway to life through an immersive audio trial, and it's thanks to the University of Exeter for funding this free workshop.

Description supplied by the event organiser.