The Arvon Courses I attended at Lumb bank were key factors in giving me the confidence to believe that if I gave up the day job and worked my arse off I could actually make a living as a scriptwriter. The high calibre of the tutors and the level of encouragement and criticism meant that each five-day visit has been extremely productive. There’s something about the Arvon atmosphere that makes you focus and work, the courses I have attended have never been a holiday - despite the fantastic food and location - but I have always come away invigorated, determined to be a better writer.

The other bonus is that through Arvon I have met writers whom I regularly share and critique work with. One of the things that I love about Arvon is how generous it encourages writers to be with their time and commitment, maybe it is the communal ethos - though there is always space to be alone and work. Arvon gave me the confidence I needed to call myself a writer and write everyday. Mentally I split my writing life up into before and after Arvon: after Arvon I have had Foxes on at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and I’m currently writing another play for the Playhouse, I’ve been commissioned to do an episode of Jimmy McGovern’s series The Street and an afternoon play for Radio 4.

1. Michelle Jana Chan
2. Raj Kulkarni
3. Kamlesh Gupta
4. Alice Nutter
5. Colin Bell