Arrive, chill and enjoy the vibe. We might have a relaxed conversation as we get to know each other.

• Introductions and expectations.
• We’ll discuss why we write and whom we write for.
• Discuss “Another Sort of Freedom” and look at what we can learn from it in terms of narrative, style etc. Discuss this and various other books with Gurcharan. 
• We’ll then discuss the project of each individual person in depth. All participants will discuss each other’s projects as well. 
• Chetan will lead a session on how to pitch your project. 
• We’ll discuss A synopsis, why it matters, and thoughts on publishing, and prepare the pitch for our books.
• Homework – rewrite the synopsis based on the suggestions made by the group. If some people choose to change their project altogether, then write the new Synopsis. In the synopsis remains unchanged, write a Query Letter.

• Open the day by discussing the revised synopsis and what has changed in the book / discuss the Query Letter.
• We’ll discuss where ideas come from, how to evaluate them – what belongs in a book, and what maybe better as an article or another format, and what may best be abandoned.
• Session on structure and the ways to plan the flow of a book. To outline or not to outline? 
• Research, how it is done, and how to bring it seamlessly into your writing.
• Chetan will analyse Gurcharan’s work from the perspective of Rhetoric. We will see how Gurcharan uses it artfully in his work, and how it should be used by each participant in their respective project. 
• Homework: write a passage from your proposed book based on new research and using in all three elements of Rhetoric.

•  Open the day by discussing the passage you’ve written from your book using Rhetoric and new research.
• Using Voice : How much of you should be in your book? When does “I” help and when is it clunky?  How does Gurcharan normally write? Compare that with some other writers. 
• Diagnosing writers block and treating it
• When do you stop editing and start writing?
• Chetan will lead an editing exercise

Departure after breakfast.

Gurcharan Das

Gurcharan Das is one of India’s most celebrated authors and thinkers. He is best known for two iconic, best-selling books: India Unbound offers a personal account of India’s economic rise and is available in numerous languages and filmed by the BBC. The Guardian called it ‘a quiet earthquake!’ The second, The Difficulty of Being Good, illuminates our day to day moral dilemmas, and ‘one of the best things I’ve read about contribution of great literature to ethical thought,’ according to the philosopher, Martha Nussbaum. The New York Times wrote ‘Something tremendous is happening in India, and Das, with his keen eye and often elegant prose, has his finger firmly on the pulse of the transformation.’

Gurcharan Das graduated in philosophy with honours from Harvard University, where he was later inducted in 2013 in Phi Beta Kappa for ‘high attainments in liberal scholarship.’ He also attended Harvard Business School (AMP) where he is featured in four case studies. He was CEO of Procter & Gamble India and Managing Director, Procter & Gamble Worldwide (Strategic Planning) before he retired early to become a full-time writer.

His newspaper columns on current issues and philosophy are among the most widely read in the country. His other books include India Grows at Night: A liberal case for a strong state, which was on the FT’s best books for 2013. Another major work, Kama: The Riddle of Desire, teaches how to cherish desire in order to live a rich, flourishing life. He has also written a novel, A Fine Family; a book of essays, The Elephant Paradigm, and an anthology, Three Plays. His most recent titles are a memoir, Another Sort of Freedom, which describes his lifelong struggle to give meaning and purpose in life, and a longish essay, and The Dilemma of the Indian Liberal. He has edited for Penguin a 15-volume economic and business history of India, and he lives in Delhi with his wife.

The Himalayan Writing Retreat is built for writing and learning. We are rated 5-star on Google and Facebook.

However, the Himalayan Writing Retreat is a small space and for most events participants share rooms. For this Masterclass, we do not ask people to share rooms. Instead we have arranged for participants to stay at good hotels in the vicinity, and also their transportation.

Weather can vary and the weather chart of Mukteshwar (12 km from the retreat) is here. A pair of sturdy walking shoes, some rain protection and an extra layer or two are always a good idea.

Our rooms are built to let nature in and inspire you. To see pictures of the rooms at the Himalayan Writing Retreat click here . To see pictures of the writing spaces click here.

Depending upon where you travel in from, you can reach us by road, train or air. Even if flying or taking a train, the final stretch is a drive, and the last 150 metres is a walk.

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By Air
There are daily flights from Delhi to Pantnagar. A cab from Pantnagar to Satkhol takes about 3.5 hr / Approx INR 4K.

There are direct flights from Mumbai and Bangalore to Bareilly 3-4 days a week. Satkhol is a 5hr / INR 5.5k cab ride from Bareilly. (More for a big car). Cabs are often shared by participants.

By Train
There are three trains a day from Delhi to Kathgodam, the nearest train station. Some others also come in from Kolkata, Lucknow and Dehradun. From Delhi, Ranikhet Express is a convenient overnight train both ways, but finding tickets can be difficult. 

Most people prefer to take the Kathgodam Shatabdi (Delhi dep: 6.20 AM, Kathgodam Arr: 11.40 AM). A cab from Kathgodam to Satkhol takes about 2.5 hrs / Rs. 2200 (more for a big car). Cabs are often shared by participants.

By Road
The retreat is a 370 km/9 hours drive from Delhi. If driving, we recommend you leave early. Note that parking at the retreat is on the road – we do not have any private parking. We have limited driver accommodation, so please check in advance.

Overnight Volvo buses ply between Haldwani and Delhi, the more reliable of which are government operated. You can book those here. Private Volvos and Sleeper buses also ply between Delhi and Haldwani, which you can book on Redbus. Make sure you pick a bus with a high (4+) rating.

1. Why should I choose HWR Workshops?   

• Personal Attention: We do not take more than 12 students in a class. You get a lot of personal attention and feedback. No classrooms of 20-30 people or one-way pre-recorded videos here.
• Class Quality: For most courses, we filter our participants. You cannot just pay and sign up. We need to see a writing sample (in our application form) to ensure the class is of a uniform standard.
• Quality of faculty: No lightweights here. Many of our faculty are award-winners. All are experts and great teachers. We don’t settle for average.
• Feedback scores: Across courses, we are rated 4.5/5, or higher. You can read our reviews HERE.

2. Do I get a certificate of participation?

Yes, certificates are available on request.

3. Any discounts for students / other categories?

At the Himalayan Writing Retreat, we follow a strict No-Discount policy.

4. Is the workshop fee refundable?

Our cancellation policy is as follows:

• Refund on cancellation upto 30 days before the start of the workshop: 100% of workshop fee (or the amount paid until then) less 4% of the full workshop fee including GST as administration and handling charges.
• Refund on cancellation between 15 days to 29 days before the start of the workshop : 50% of workshop fee.
• No refund on cancellation 14 days or fewer before the start of the workshop.

5. Is the Himalayan Writing Retreat a business or an NGO?

The Himalayan Writing Retreat is a social enterprise. It works closely and actively with the Chirag School, for which THWR raises money with every First Draft Club it conducts. (FDC #18 in June 2024 raised 1.75 lakhs)

Have more questions? Feel free to write to us at info@himalayanwritingretreat.com or connect with us at +91 73035 16665 (Call/ WA/Signal).