Rosy Adams joined us this July for our Fiction Bootcamp at Tŷ Newydd as a bursary recipient. Read on to find out about her experiences …

Rosy Adams grew up in Bannau Brycheiniog where she spent most of her time in the library or up the mountain. Her writing has been published by The Lampeter Review, Grim & Gilded, Lucent Dreaming, and The Amphibian amongst others, and she edited and contributed to (un)common: anthology of new Welsh writing published by Lucent Dreaming. She is inspired by myth and fairy tale, and is currently working on a short story collection.

“The first time I visited Tŷ Newydd was for a masterclass with Cathy Rentzenbrink as part of the second year of Representing Wales, the development programme for under-represented writers run by Literature Wales. As many others have done before me, I fell in love with the place. The house, the gardens, the walks along Afon Dwyfor, and by the sea to Cricieth. The wonderful people who welcome you as if you’re family.

Since then, I’ve returned to Tŷ Newydd at least once a year, and every time my writing practice is rejuvenated.

In 2023 I attended a short fiction week with Rachel Trezise and Sophie Mackintosh, and the guest reader was Cynan Jones. He was so articulate on the subject of writing and he packed in so much information that it felt like a workshop in its own right, so when I found out he would be teaching at Tŷ Newydd the following year, I booked my place immediately. I was fortunate enough to receive a bursary from Literature Wales to help pay for my place (which meant I didn’t have to abuse my credit card too much!)

The course was perfectly timed; after going through divorce, the illness and death of a close friend, and moving house, I had no motivation and very little confidence in my writing.

I wasn’t familiar with Vanessa Gebbie but before the course I read Short Circuit, the very excellent collection of essays on short fiction that she edited and contributed to.

It was an intensive week, with many exercises aimed at getting us all writing. Vanessa and Cynan have different but complementary teaching styles and between them I’m certain that everyone came away having made significant progress with both writing and confidence.

There was a wide range of participants, some published writers and some for whom it was their very first writing course, but at no point was anyone made to feel out of place; Cynan and Vanessa treated everyone and their writing with kindness and respect.

I had the realisation during the week that I’ve been getting caught up with trying to increase my word count, and that approach really doesn’t work for me. Each piece of writing is as long as it needs to be.

We were also lucky enough to have Max Porter as guest reader during the week, and he was amazing, one of the best readings I’ve heard, and some great insights into the publishing business.

Since getting home I feel as if I’ve been creatively unblocked. I’ve been writing every day (which I have always found difficult in the past) and I’m making great progress on my work in progress. Without a doubt, it was the best writing course I have ever attended!

I would recommend a course at Tŷ Newydd to anyone who wants to begin writing, improve, try a new form or style, or rediscover their love for writing in a beautiful peaceful place with lovely people.”