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Momoir
A one-day retreat for mothers with stories to tell.
This one-day workshop is for mom’s (including step-mom’s, foster mom’s, adopted mom’s and more) who want to step away from their busy lives, take a breath, and get writing. We’ll spend the day reflecting, scribbling and connecting at the beautiful Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Center, one hour north of Toronto. In a cottage by a lake, we’ll work on sketching “motherhood timelines” lifting out some of our most important stories and beginning to write them down. We’ll talk about the craft of writing, and some of the joy and fear that we typically encounter when we begin. Come to this workshop for laughter, connection, silence, productivity, and the restorative powers of rural Ontario.
Friday, July 12, 2013
10:30am – 5pm
Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Center, one hour north of Toronto
$140 +hst
Click here for more info and registration
Summer Sanctuary
A retreat you don’t need to leave town for
“Summer Sanctuary” is a weekend of writing for people who want to slow the noise of July to hear their own creative voices. Together, we’ll create a sanctuary in the midst of our busy lives and our busy city, and then fill that sanctuary with writing. Using creative exercises to get our voices loose and free, we’ll listen close and them choose one writing project, large or small, that we want to move forward. With a mix of structured writing assignments, self-reflection, silent time and discussion about our creative lives, we’ll explore who we are as writers and we’ll scribble our hearts out in a supportive community of other people who are on the same path. Expect laughter, productivity, release, supportive community and delicious fresh baking.
The Inner Garden
401 Richmond W, right on the Spadina streetcar line
July 19-21 (days only)
$260 + hst
Click here for more information, and to sign up.
The 3-Day Novel Escape
A long weekend for writers with fire in their bellies
This Labour Day weekend, join a group of highly-motivated, slightly-crazed writers as we pack into a farmhouse in the country to attempt a great literary feat — to write a novel in three days.
The 3-day Novel Contest is one of Canada’s treasures, a challenge to take three days to dive into our wells of inspiration and see if we can pull out a novel. This retreat will provide participants with the opportunity take up this outrageous call within a supportive, soothing environment, far from the distractions of everyday life.
Our days will be filled with silent writing time, mini-workshops, optional individual consults and delicious food. There will be a writing coach and a chef at the helm, and every writer will have their own bedroom with writing desk. There’s also a camping option, for the especially-hardcore.
This is an immersive writing experience, for very driven writers who are up for a challenge.
A note about the contest: The 3-Day Novel Contest is a real thing. It’s been running for 36 years out of Vancouver. For this retreat, participants may enroll officially through the 3-Day Novel head office, or simply join us for 3 days of novel writing. For those who enroll officially, there is a $55 fee, and all works will be read and juried by the Vancouver office for cash prizes. We are not officially affiliated with the contest.
Small Pond Arts, Prince Edward County, Ontario.
August 29 – September 2, 2013. (4 nights)
$425 for a private room, $325 for camping, $225 for days-only.
Contact me for more info and registration.
Four Seasons of Writing
One-day retreats for “seasoned” women
For many years, I have had a special place in my heart for the “older” women who sign up for my workshops. I feel an unquenchable urge to draw up to their wisdom and listen, listen, listen.
I’ve finally decided to run a workshop that’s just that! These one-day workshops at the peaceful Loretto Maryholme Centre will be a gathering of women who wish to write, connect, and explore what it means to be in a seasoned season of their incredible lives.
We’ll meet from 10:30-4pm for a full day of writing and connecting. Each workshop will draw from the seasons for writing themes and inspiration, and will include both structured and unstructured time to write, breathe and enjoy the beauty of the woods, labyrinth, docks and Lake Simcoe shoreline.
Come for community, laughter, connection and the restorative powers of rural Ontario.
Next retreat: Saturday, October 5, 2013
10:30-4pm
$125 + hst
Contact me for more info and registration.
PS Who is an “older” women? You decide. There’s no age cut-off. If this workshop sounds right for you, it probably is. Drop me a line if you’d like to chat about it.