Writing Masterclass with Manav Kaul (Hindi and English)
February 17 to February 21
This edition of the course is now full. However, if you are interested, you can still apply and we will contact you in case of any cancellation.
(Scroll down for English text)
साहित्य की अपनी ही खूबसूरती है, अपना एक अलग प्रभाव है।
मानव कौल इस बात के पुरज़ोर समर्थक बन कर उभरे हैं। उन्होंने अब तक 14 किताबें लिखी हैं। उनका एक कविता संग्रह भी प्रकाशित हुआ है। वो एक लेखक, एक्टर, प्ले रायटर, और डायरेक्टर के तौर पर मशहूर हैं, पर उनका मानना है कि वो सबसे पहले एक लेखक हैं। और हमारा मानना है कि वो एक बेहतरीन और संवेदनशील लेखक हैं।
हिमालयन रायटिंग रीट्रीट एक ऐसा मंच है जहाँ हम लेखकों को कई भाषाओं में लिखने के लिए प्रेरित करते हैं। इस बार हमने फ़िर से रायटिंग वर्कशॉप का आयोजन किया है और इस बार हम इसे English और हिंदी दोनों में करेंगे। हमें ये बताते हुए बेहद खुशी हो रही है कि इस मास्टर क्लास का संचालन मानव कौल करेंगे। और उनका साथ देंगे लेखक और हिमालयन रायटिंग रीट्रीट के सह संस्थापक चेतन महाजन।
ये मास्टर क्लास चार दिनों की होगी जिसमें हम लेखन की कला और विभिन्न पहलुओं को गहराई से समझने की कोशिश करेंगे। मनव कौल पिछले 4 वर्षों से HWR के साथ पढ़ा रहे हैं, और हमारे साथ यह उनकी चौथी मास्टरक्लास होगी। यह कोर्स पहले तीन दिनों का था, लेकिन अब इसे बढ़ाकर चार दिनों का कर दिया गया है।
इस वर्कशॉप के दौरान प्रतिभागियों को लिखने का मौका और माहौल मिलेगा और साथ ही साथ उनके लेख/कहानियों पर मानव कौल और चेतन महाजन अपने विचार साझा करेंगे।
आयोजन स्थल
यह कोर्स पहाड़ों में नहीं, बल्कि समुद्र के किनारे आयोजित किया जाएगा। हिमालयन राइटिंग रिट्रीट अब गोकार्णा से 50 किमी दक्षिण, कर्नाटक तट पर स्थित एक गुप्त नए ठिकाने पर कोर्स आयोजित करता है। स्थान का विवरण पुष्टि किए गए प्रतिभागियों के साथ साझा किया जाएगा।
हमारे ओशन रिट्रीट के बारे में अधिक जानकारी के लिए नीचे दिए गए “About the Venue” और “How to reach” देखें।
वर्कशॉप के पहले आपको क्या करने की आवश्यकता है?
1. कम से कम तीन कहानियां पढ़नी हैं।
2. जिस प्रोजेक्ट पर आपको काम करना है, उसकी एक आउटलाइन तैयार कर लेनी है।
यह कोर्स पहले दिन यानी 17 फ़रवरी को शाम 5 बजे शुरू होगा, इसलिए कृपया उससे पहले पहुँचने की योजना बनाएँ।
- पहला दिन: एक-दूसरे को जानेंगे, कार्यशाला से अपनी अपेक्षाओं पर बात करेंगे, और अपने पहले लेखन अभ्यास से शुरुआत करेंगे।
- दूसरा दिन: कथानक (प्लॉट), शैली और किरदारों की चर्चा।
- तीसरा दिन: बातें होंगी सेटिंग, भाषा, वर्णन एवं सम्पादन की।
- चौथा दिन: हम बातें करेंगे लेखन प्रक्रिया में आने वाली सबसे बड़ी बाधा के बारे में : जी हां, आपने सही समझा, रायटर्स ब्लॉक। साथ ही साथ, हम चर्चा करेंगे लेखन प्रक्रिया और पबलिशिंग इनडस्ट्री में हिन्दी लेखन की संभावनाओं की।
- पाँचवाँ दिन: नाश्ते के बाद सभी प्रतिभागी प्रांगण छोड़ कर जा सकते हैं।
मानव कौल
मानव कौल लेखक, थियेटर डायरेक्टर, प्ले रायटर, फिल्मकार और अदाकार हैं।
एक प्ले रायटर और डायरेक्टर के तौर पर मानव ने 2004 में शुरुआत की। ‘शक्कर के पाँच दाने’ उनका पहला शो था। इसके अलावा ‘इलहाम’ और ‘पार्क’ उसकी नामचीन प्लेज़ में शामिल है।
मानव ने अब तक 14 किताबें लिखी हैं जिसमें कहानियां और कविताएं शामिल हैं। ठीक तुम्हारे पीछे, तुम्हारे बारे में, बहुत दूर कितना दूर होता है, चलता फिरता प्रेत, और प्रेम कबूतर उनकी प्रसिद्ध किताबें हैं। उनकी दो किताबें “रूह” और “तुम्हारे बारे में” पेंगुइन ने अंग्रेजी में भी प्रकाशित की हैं।
Translated by Tarang Sinha
Literature has its own beauty. Its own wonder.
Manav Kaul is a strong proponent of this art, with 14 books to his credit and one poetry collection. Although famous for many talents including writing, playwright and an actor-director, he is a writer first – and an amazing and prolific writer at that.
At the Himalayan Writing Retreat, we encourage people to write in many tongues – not just English. We are thrilled to have Manav Kaul coming back to lead a Writing Masterclass which will cut across Hindi and English both. Chetan Mahajan, co-founder of the Himalayan Writing Retreat will co-lead this Masterclass along with Manav.
Day One: We will get to know each other, talk about our expectations from the workshop, and begin with our first writing exercise.
Day Two: Discussion on plot, style, and characters.
Day Three: Conversations around setting, language, description, and editing.
Day Four: We will talk about the biggest obstacle in the writing process—yes, you guessed it right, writer’s block. Along with this, we will discuss the writing process and the possibilities of Hindi writing in the publishing industry.
Day Five: After breakfast, all participants may check out and leave the premises.
During the workshop, the participants will write extensively, and the feedback will come from the peer group as well as Manav and Chetan.
Level: Intermediate – Advanced writers.
Novice writers, please consider this course.
The Ocean Retreat is the white building with the red roof
For more about our Ocean Retreat see “About the Venue” and “How to reach” below.
Like the Himalayan retreat, the Ocean retreat inspires you deeply. Only here the birdsong is augmented by the song of the ocean, not by silence.
Dear poet/writer, we’d love to know you better.
What are you writing?
In prose, you prefer…
To stay informed about articles related to poetry writing,
would you like to get emails from us?
We don’t spam and you can unsubscribe any time.
In prose, you prefer…
To stay informed about articles related to fiction writing,
would you like to get emails from us?
And we’re happy to throw in two free courses, too
We don’t spam and you can unsubscribe any time.
To stay informed about articles related to prose and poetry writing,
would you like to get emails from us?
And we’re happy to throw in two free courses, too
We don’t spam and you can unsubscribe any time.
To stay informed about articles related to non-fiction writing,
would you like to get emails from us?
And we’re happy to throw in two free courses, too
We don’t spam and you can unsubscribe any time.
About the Venue
The Ocean retreat is 50 km south of Gokarna, on the beach.
Like the Himalayan Writing Retreat in Uttarakhand, the Ocean retreat is spread out. Seven rooms sit atop three almost private beaches. Like the Himalayan retreat, the Ocean retreat is ensconsed in nature, surrounded by beauty and wilderness. In addition to walking on the beach, the cliffs just above the retreat offers some great hikes and views.
Neither place is pretentious. Rustic as opposed to manicured, earthy instead of high luxury, both places connect us to our creative essence. Instead of a swimming pool, there is the big blue ocean to swim in . Instead of air conditioning expect a cool sea breeze. Instead of a fancy menu, expect a buffet of drool-inducing home cooked North Kerala cuisine.
There are no classrooms here. The learning spaces are a mix of outdoor spaces and verandahs with comfortable seating. Similar to HWR, the Ocean retreat is well run with great food and magnificent sunsets. The birds sing as loudly here, and the surf replaces the silence.
The Ocean retreat will inspire you. For pictures of the Ocean Retreat, click here.
Workshop Preparation:
- Read three short stories
- Write out the basics of the project you will work on
- Also, keep your favourite book (Fiction / Narrative Non-fiction) handy
Day-by-day Program
Day 1
Feb 17th: 5.00 PM
Arrive and get to know each other. We will discuss our expectations from the workshop, and begin with our first writing exercise.
Day 2
Feb 18th: Aspects of good writing. Plot, Character and Point of view.
We dig into the aspects of a good book, and spend time on Plot and Character in depth.
In Plot, we go over various frameworks of plot, and how they apply to some contemporary writings, such as Harry Potter. How a good plot leads to a strong narrative. In Character, we explore what characters are, their different types, how they are built, and so on.
Point of view is a big decision – will you write in first-person? Third ? Or will you write from Multiple points of view? We will do voice-writing exercises in pairs to help the writer get into someone else’s shoes and write.
Day 3
Feb 19th: Description & Setting, Pace, Language & Editing.
We understand exactly what Description & Setting is. We learn about the pace of a story. We practice writing both activities to make our story better.
We examine our own writing for some of the bad writing habits we pick up, and ways to unlearn them. We learn to omit needless words and write clean.
Editing cannot be over-emphasized. Good writers do it over and over again. We understand why, and explore some tools which can help.
Next, we dig into the project of writing: how to plan a book and write it. We learn new ways to do away with distractions and create focus. We close by looking at tools – both offline and tech – specific to writing.
We review the book writing plans of those keen on sharing. We tweak the plans where required and understand the committed milestones and dates.
Day 4
Feb 20th: Writers block, Publishing options, Marketing your book, your writing plan.
We discuss strategies based on research on creativity from the field of psychology. We write more. From figuring out how to “think outside the box” to ways of dealing with the famous writer’s block, we put science to good use. We build on the authors’ toolkit.
We spend the last day doing a reality check. Publishing and marketing a book requires a very different set of skills from writing a book. We explore those. We understand the options for publishing available to a first-time author. For analyze the economics of traditional and self publishing, their pros and cons. We learn what a literary agent does, and if you should sign up with one.
We discuss what it takes to market a book. Does Social Media have a role? What are good – and bad – ways to get reviews?
The participants stargaze / sing songs by the fire / share their talents with the group.
Day 5
Feb 21st: Leave after a sumptuous breakfast
We close with all participants sharing feedback on the experience at the course.
About the Instructors
Manav Kaul
Manav Kaul
Manav Kaul is an award-winning Indian theatre director, playwright, author, actor, and filmmaker.
He was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film Tumhari Sulu (2017). He went onto win a national award for this very role.
Amongst his notable plays are Ilhaam, Park, and Shakkar Ke Paanch Daane, which was his first outing as playwright and director in 2004. His influences include Charles Bukowski, Vinod Kumar Shukla, Franz Kafka, and Nirmal Verma, to whom he paid homage in his 2010 play Red Sparrow.
Manav Kaul is also a writer with more than 7 books to his credit which includes both fiction and poetry.
Some of his works include titles like Theek Tumhare Peeche, Tumhare Baare Mein, Bahut Door Kitna Door Hota Hai, Chalta Phirta Pret, and Prem Kabootar which was further translated into English as A Night in the Hills (Westland, 2019).
Chetan Mahajan
Chetan Mahajan
Chetan Mahajan has spent two decades working in on-line learning, both in the US and India. He has taught on-line as far back as 2006 as a faculty member at the University of Phoenix online.
Chetan is a Penguin-published author and an award-winning blogger. Chetan and his wife Dr. Vandita Dubey (also a published author) moved to the Himalayas back in 2015. There they founded the Himalayan Writing Retreat. Chetan is now a full-time author and works as a writing coach independently as well as with the London based the writing coach. He also writes for The Mint, Outlook Magazine, HT Brunch, Reader’s Digest and Hindu Business Line.
How to Reach
How to reach
Air
Mangaluru Airport (IXE): 175 kms.
₹5000/-for ac cab, takes 3 hours.
Goa Dabolim International Airport (GOI): 185kms
₹6000/-for ac cab, takes 4 hours.
Train
In the order of preference, based on distance from the Ocean Retreat to the railway station, following are the stations we can arrange a pick up or drop for participants coming / going by train for a nominal fee. Pl note that different trains stop at different stations.
| Honnavar | 14 kms to the North ₹400/- for non ac Maruti Van |
| Murdeshwar | 15 kms to the South, ₹400/- for non ac Maruti Van |
| Kumta | 32 kms to the North,₹600/- for non ac Maruti Van |
| Bhatkal | 35 kms to the South ₹700/- for non ac Maruti Van |
If anyone needs help in train booking, please contact Vimal @ 9870428665 who will find the correct train and book it for you for a fee. He also does Tatkal ticketing.
By Road:
Sleeper /seater buses are available
Mumbai-Honnavar Circle 12 hours
Bangalore-Honnavar Circle 8hours
You can also check the driving time to Honnavar Circle. We will guide you on how to drive to the Ocean Retreat from there.
Event Summary
Event Date
February 17 to February 21
Venue
Location: 50 KM south of Gokarna. Exact details will be shared with participants.
Price:
* Price: INR 44,000+ GST (twin shared) and INR 82,000+ GST (Single)
* Price includes 4 nights stay and all meals
* Single rooms subject to availability
* Taxes Extra
* Strict Zero Discount Policy
* Maximum Participants: 10
FAQs
1. Why should I choose HWR Workshops?
Personal Attention: We don’t take more than 15 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 can’t 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.
Cost per hour: Our courses are long and intense. As an example, the Creative Writing course is 18000 for 24 contact hours (3 days, 8 hours each day). The cost per hour = 750 / hour. That is comparable to many of the “cheaper” courses.
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:
For Physical Workshops:
- 100% refund (less 5% of total programme fee) on cancellation 40 days or more before the event start date.
- 50% refund if cancellation is between 20-40 days before start date.
- 0% refund if cancellation is less than 20 days before the start date.
For Online Workshops:
- 100% refund (less 5% of total programme fee) on cancellation 15 days or more before the event start date.
- 50% refund if cancellation is between 15 to 7 days before start date.
- 0% refund if cancellation is less than 7 days before the start date.
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 two local NGOs in its community work initiatives: Chirag and Alaap. In 2020, HWR raised INR 6.1 Lakhs to support the Chirag School.
Have more questions? Feel free to write to us at info@himalayanwritingretreat.com or connect with us at +91 73035 16665 (call or WhatsApp).
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy for Physical Courses
- 95% refund if cancellation 4 weeks before event start date.
- 50% refund if cancellation 2 weeks before the start date.
- 0% refund if cancellation is less than 2 weeks before start date.
