Interview With Christine Wolf, Host of Write to Heal Retreat

Today I had the opportunity to interview Christine Wolf, host of the Write to Heal Retreat. From May 9 - May 13, writers will congregate at the Civana Wellness Resort & Spa in Carefree, Arizona. It's a time to embrace self-care and reframe difficult memories through expressive writing.

Christine is a memoir coach and CEO of Writers' Haven LLC, a workspace for women writers. She is an award-winning freelance columnist with Tribune Media's ChicagoNow and a former opinion columnist with the Chicago Tribune. She also won a Moth StorySLAM in June of 2022.

I'm so excited to talk with her about this amazing writing retreat. Register now! Registration closes on April 7, 2023, so don't hesitate. 

--- Interview by Nicole Pyles

WOW: Thank you for chatting with me today about the Write to Heal Retreat! What inspired you to start this writing retreat, and what led you to hold it in Carefree, Arizona?

Christine: I've been hosting local writers' retreats near my home in Chicago for about 10 years. I'm always grateful to be in the company of other women writers, working independently while still being together, then gathering around a table at the end of the day to share insights and laughter, and even a few tears. There's nothing like connecting with writers during a retreat about our work-in-progress. I'm always so rejuvenated after the extended conversations and opportunities to exchange sincere feedback while exploring new perspectives and building new friendships. 

Unfortunately, when Covid hit, my in-person retreats ended. 

In 2021, as the pandemic world began to "reopen" I was nervously optimistic about reconnecting with the world. After such a confusing and uncertain time in history, my heart was pretty raw and tender, and I dreamed of ways to practice some serious self-care, like going somewhere sunny and getting some writing done. I'd never done anything like this for myself, so I felt guilty as hell for even considering it. Even though I was fifty-two and owned my own business and had a little bit of savings, I kept trying to justify my decision to take a trip that was "just for me." But, after a ton of research, I found a spot in Arizona that seemed almost too-good-to-be-true. It looked special—but, like, affordable-special. So, I took a huge leap of faith and booked myself a 3-day trip over Mother's Day weekend. 

It was exactly what I needed: Sunny and easy to get to, lots of beautiful, comfortable spaces in which to write. The best part: I got to pick a couple of wellness classes every day at no additional charge. So, I tried things I'd never experienced before, like sound baths, aqua therapy circuits, Yoga Nidra, intention ceremonies, and walking through a nature labyrinth. 

Overlooking the sunset during dinner one night, I noticed a table of women gathered nearby, many of them kind of leaning in, sharing a conversation that seemed... really sacred. And I thought, That's the kind of conversation I have with other writers when we're talking about our perspectives on life.

I was reminded how fortunate I am to be a writer, always observing life and documenting what I see and feel. I thought about how much I love interacting with writers — even when we're working independently, even when we're not talking about craft. With writers, it seems, I'm often my freest, most vulnerable and open self. We seem to view and reflect on the world in a unique and sacred way. And so, as I sat there, watching these women, I thought: If I, as writer, find this place magical, maybe other writers would feel the same?

The next year, I went back to Civana for another solo getaway, during which time I wrote and rested and hiked nearby. While at Civana, I worked with their staff on some initial ideas for a retreat, talking through what a program might look like. On my flight back to Chicago, I started planning the 2023 Write To Heal Retreat in earnest.

WOW: What an amazing journey! What can writers expect by joining your retreat?

Christine: The 5-Day retreat goes from Tuesday, May 9 through Saturday, May 13 — plenty of time to get home for Mother's Day (or just extend your stay). 

From the start, we'll focus on the transformative impact expressive writing can make. We'll challenge ourselves to spend short periods of time (20 minutes max/day) writing about difficult memories and moving them from our heads to the page. All this happens in a warm and nurturing environment with the support of our team of writers and wellness professionals who offer their invaluable skills and compassion as we use writing to process and heal. You'll get to choose 2 wellness experiences every day from a selection of 100+ weekly options, including yoga, meditation, sound baths, aqua therapy circuits, and more. We'll have three group dinners and, to give you as much flexibility as possible, you'll receive a $300 food & beverage credit to use for any non-scheduled meal-times. There's also a world-class spa on site if you'd like to pamper yourself. Guests also receive a lovely welcome bag, including a small, personal journal, hand-crafted just for them. 

Day 1: TUESDAY
After check-in, we'll gather for a brief welcome reception. Then, everyone's welcome to do their own thing for dinner. Head out to downtown Carefree or nearby Cave Creek, or stay at Civana and join me for a meal. 

Days 2-4: WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY/FRIDAY
The heart of your Write to Heal Retreat includes...

...Workshops
Optional workshops from 10:30-11:30 and 3:30-4:30, exploring topics like the Science of Expressive Writing (and how it improves physical, emotional, and interpersonal health), Mandala Meditation, Trauma-sensitive Care, Journeys of PTSD and Post-traumatic Growth, and Building Your Resiliency Toolkit.

...Wellness
Choose 2 wellness experiences/day from a weekly schedule of more than 100+ options. 

...Nourishment
Breakfast & Lunch: On your own; use your $300 retreat food & beverage credit as you wish.
Dinner: Gather as a group for a wonderful, nutritious meal. 

Day 5: SATURDAY
Enjoy 2 final wellness experiences before heading home restored and rejuvenated.
 
WOW: That sounds like an amazing experience! Why is it so important to the creative process to get away from it all and clear your mind?

Christine: It's no secret that, as women, we regularly put others' needs before our own. So, we often tend to lose our voice and our sense of self without even realizing it...until we show up irritable, resentful, tearful, or worse. But, just imagine turning off your racing mind and letting the sun wash over you. Imagine letting yourself get lost in thought, restoring and tending to your long-lost or blocked creative connections. When you give yourself some space that's just for you—free of guilt or justification that you deserve it—you leave empowered, restored, and more ready to navigate life.

WOW: I completely agree! Why is self-care so important for handling (and reframing) difficult memories that come up during the writing process?

Christine: Every one of us experiences difficult times, albeit some more difficult than others. It takes time to process those experiences, and when we do, writing is such an excellent tool to use. Make no mistake: writing about difficult memories isn't easy, but doing it in an environment designed specifically for self-care (and with a team that gets it) can help. 

Humans can be such introspective creatures. Sometimes, we're not even aware of how much we notice, hold, and even unconsciously carry every day.  Layer in some difficult memories, and we risk burnout and breaking points, where we just hit a wall or can't hold another thing in our hearts. And, when our overburdened hearts run out of room (or energy) to deal with the rest of life (including so much GOOD and BEAUTY), that's when self-care really offers an opportunity for release and transformation.

Think about it. Memories and emotions are held in our bodies, and when they're heavy, we feel heavy, especially when we have to work to keep things inside (or secret). When we give ourselves time to write about some of the toughest stuff, we often surprise ourselves. Though we assume it'll be nothing but agony and reliving pain, what tends to happen with expressive writing is that the act of writing things out isn't as horrifying as we think it'll be, especially if we give ourselves a short burst of time (20 minutes or less) to do it. We take those awful memories and put them into words that we can look at, delete, rip up, put away, or reorder in ways that make us feel more empowered and less flooded with overwhelm. 

WOW: Those are such great insights. Getting in touch wit the emotions of those experiences is so freeing. You have such amazing successes under your belt. How has self-care and prioritizing your own healing aided in these successes?

Christine: Oh my gosh, that's so nice of you to say, and it's easy (and almost instinctive) for me to want to downplay the success and focus on all my challenges and missteps. But, self-care has really taught me how to say thank you—and to mean it. 

Yep, I've had plenty of challenges that led to my anxious, hypervigilant response to life, and self-care taught me how to acknowledge them while keeping them in perspective, and to accept my experiences (even the toughest ones) with gratitude rather than frustration or a sense of victimhood. 

For years, I never took the time to let myself really FEEL my feelings. I constantly kept myself "busy" and didn't know how to say no (to people, to work, to requests for help). My personal operating mode had one setting: REACTION. But then, when it dawned on me that my reactive stance was draining me and rooted in fear ("If I don't say yes, that person will think less of me..." "If I don't work harder, I'll lose my edge..." "If I turn down that invitation, I'll never be invited again..."), I asked myself what the alternative was, like, "Can I make decisions from a place other than fear?" 

Once I realized I could, then I wanted to know HOW. The answer began with learning to value and love myself. 

But how do we do that?

I felt grief and regret realizing that I'd spent so long prioritizing everything outside of me so that I could ignore my deepest feelings. And, I knew that a change in my behavior would surely have an impact on others. That really scared me. I worried how others would react, and that they'd see me as selfish. How ironic that, in my quest to find my own voice, I wrestled with guilt and worry about those who I might make feel uncomfortable by using it. It was a bit crazymaking...and I knew I had to break the cycle. I knew I had to make myself a priority before I could be my best, most decisive, and confident self. 

When I accepted a weeklong writing residency, it felt like a treat...like walking through an unfamiliar door that I wasn't supposed to know about. I loved the freedom and the sense of agency I had to work on my craft and spend time in the company of other writers, but I also experienced some discomfort when my loved ones struggled with my time away and my decision to take time for myself. I felt pulled...hard...between two worlds. I questioned if I'd made the right choice. I didn't realize then that it was EXACTLY what I needed to do for everyone involved.

That first time away was less about self-care and more about making myself a priority. With that experience under my belt, I looked for more opportunities to carve out time for my own interests and needs. It felt kind of like cleaning out a messy old basement. I had to start with one section and build up my tolerance to tackle more. And then, once I got rolling, the benefits of my actions became more and more obvious. This time to myself wasn't frivolity. It wasn't being selfish. My intention wasn't to run from others or abandon them (though at times, others—and even my own mind—tried to convince me I was). This was making my needs a priority and clearing space for all the GOOD in my life. 

When I took myself on that first trip to Civana in 2021, I sat in yoga classes, meditation sessions, and sound baths and let my mind wander to some memories and moments of struggle and pain. It wasn't easy, AND YET, instead of feeling upset, I felt relieved. I can't tell you how many tears I shed, filled with GRATITUDE and self-compassion for having survived those experiences. 

Rather than keeping those painful memories tucked deep inside where they seemed to have so much power and control over me, I created space to let them rise up, and when that happened, I was ready to face them and remind myself that I'm not a victim: I'm a strong, resilient, empathetic woman who can offer some valuable wisdom to others. The way I choose to share that wisdom is through writing. 

 

WOW: That's so powerful. I'm so glad you've shared that experience with us. What advice do you have for writers wondering if it's worth the cost to attend the retreat? What would writers be surprised to learn or experience from this retreat?

Christine: Until I'd created my own self-care retreat and experienced its long-term benefits, I had those very questions, too. Only when I dove into the research about the lasting benefits of self-care and all the many misperceptions about it (news flash: it's not hippy, dippy voodoo science) did I feel more comfortable parting with some money to do it. 

Before I'd ever taken a self-care retreat, I'd taken myself on walks and drawn bubble-baths and used facial masks and changed my diet and gotten new haircuts to "boost my spirits"...but I'd never figured out a way to turn off my racing mind and just rest it. I mean, what a completely bizarre and unfamiliar concept. 
I'd been caregiving and pushing down so many unpleasant memories for so long that I didn't even know there might be an alternative. By spending time in the company of others who understood the value and science of self-care (and taught me skills I could take home and start using immediately), I found that my relationships improved, my patience increased, and my ability to roll with life's challenges soared. 

Study after study tells us how important self-care is. Still, I appreciate that self-care does require investment—of effort, of time, and sometimes, of money. We can do quick, low-commitment things to perk ourselves up, or we can invest in something deeply meaningful and lasting. After too many attempts at quick-fixes, I was ready to do something that made a long-term impact, not only on my own outlook but also on my ability to interact with others.

As for the financial investment, I asked myself how much a continuing education course might cost, or a solo escape to a sunny island, or a week off of work spent lying around and reading. When I ran the numbers and figured out the cost of a plane ticket and a resort bill, I was floored to realize that, by spending 4 nights at Civana, I'd get so much more than an "escape" or a "reset" or "time to myself". In addition to relaxing and resetting my overwrought nervous system, I would also learn new ideas and approaches. I'd immerse myself in time just for me, with reminders to offer myself tenderness, kindness, and nourishment. I left that first, self-designed self-care retreat at Civana feeling on top of the world. I felt lighter yet stronger. I also felt like I'd received the biggest hug from the person I needed it from most: Myself. 

WOW: And sometimes that is exactly the hug we need! I love how there is something for everyone on this retreat! How did you plan this in a way that everyone has something to gain from the experience? What do you hope writers walk away with by joining you on this retreat? 

Christine: I planned this retreat from many different perspectives—as a busy mom, as a solopreneur, as a trauma survivor, as a writer, and as someone who's been asked to carry the emotional weight of others. Each of those sides of me needs attention and tending and nurturing, so I found a place and designed a workshop that offers a multi-dimensional approach to healing. Sometimes I need physical activity...or community...or solace...or a beautiful place in which to write...or a healthy meal that I don't have to prepare...or a new way of looking at my life. This special retreat offers opportunities to address all those kinds of needs and more. Most of all, I hope writers leave this retreat feeling restored and also empowered to navigate their dynamic lives with actionable tools and increased confidence and peace in their hearts. 

WOW: Thank you so much for your time, Christine! 

 

Remember, register now for the Write to Heal Retreat. It closes on April 7, 2023, so don't hesitate. 

 

 

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Leave a Comment Christine Wolf, interview, Nicole Pyles, Write to Heal Retreat, writing retreat

The Layers and Shapes of Disquiet (International Literary Program)

by Christy O’Callaghan

For me, the 2019 Disquiet International Literary Program in Lisbon, Portugal was about three words: layers, shape, and Sophia. If I’d taken the two weeks on my own to go to Lisbon, I would have enjoyed the city, especially the restaurants that let you sit for hours until you beg to pay your bill, the mosaic paths, tiled walls, Fado music, funky bathrooms, and the variety of tiny chairs to fit inside small shops and spaces. However, on my own, I wouldn’t have experienced the amazing workshops, the other attendees, or had the chance to meet local writers.

I took the non-fiction track with writer David Leavitt. We met in the basement of Livraria Ferin, the second oldest bookstore in Lisbon dating back to 1840. Our group always ran long as we shared, supported, and challenged each other. Each day we workshopped two of the attendee's pieces up to thirty pages in length. Our workshop covered accuracy, formatting, storytelling, language, voice, where a writer wanted their piece to go, and sometimes whether the writer wanted it to be non-fiction or fiction. Unlike fiction, non-fiction often includes discussing a writer's life to understand a piece and the direction if can take, so our workshop allowed for that natural discussion. After the workshop, participants often ate lunch together to talk. I haven’t attended many workshops, so I asked, “How does this compare?” Everyone said it was the best they’d ever attended, including some people with MFAs.

The primary workshops met Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings; on Tuesday and Thursday, we could take a secondary workshop. I selected Visual Storytelling taught by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Deanne Fitzmaurice. She taught us storytelling through photographs using layers, focus, light/shadow, the rule of thirds, color pallet, and feel, when to zoom in and when to step back. All aspects of writing but captured through a camera. She told us that as we worked our story would present itself. I find writing is the same way. You start in one direction and end up someplace different.

For me, the common themes that emerged were layering and shape. They appeared not only in my workshops, but on literary tours, in talks about Fernando Pessoa (the author of The Book of Disquiet), the history, and the structure of the Lisbon itself. Viewed from the waterfront, buildings rise like steps from the lower section that the locals call new because an earthquake, a tsunami, and fires destroyed it all in one day in 1755, and climb up to the older and higher sections of this small capital city.

Shape was another major theme. David Leavitt told us we don’t have to kill our darlings, as is often advised. Instead, he said to ask, “Does it ruin the shape of the piece?” I sat in on the Poetry Editing workshop with John Hennessy, the poetry editor of The Common Magazine, and he discussed the shape of a poem and how the white space can evoke a feeling, room to breathe, and yet another layer. This is true for prose as well.

Adding layers and shape to the Disquiet experience were not only the writers leading the workshops and the fellow attendees but the Portuguese writers who held readings and discussions. As an American, it can be difficult to grasp the impact of a true dictatorship. Two years before I was born the forty-eight-year dictatorship ended. My lifespan is the difference between freedom and oppression. For places as old as Lisbon, a three-thousand-year-old city named by a God, forty-four years is a blink of an eye. It’s still fresh in their minds. Three of the female Portuguese writers helped me better understand this layer.

I met Teolinda Gersão as I stood outside the bookshop where she was presenting. “Welcome to the city that is always under construction,” she said to me. Her words rang through my head as she shared the history of Lisbon and told us about her book, The City of Ulysses, which I’m reading right now. She said today as people, “We want to find home,” and that “The world feels rootless.” I believe she’s right about that. I also agree with her that “History lies a lot,” because the victor writes it, but “myth doesn’t.”

Another woman I had the opportunity to see was Dulce Maria Cardoso. Her family moved to Angola when she was an infant and returned after the Angolan War of Independence in 1975. She went from a more modern country to one discovering itself and attempting to modernize. Americanize as she referred to it. She discussed what it was like as a young woman to move backward in time as she returned to a country she wasn’t familiar with and watched it attempt to catch up. Soon I’ll be reading her book, The Return.

The third woman who I will carry in my heart forever was Sophia de Mello Breyer Andresen. Her name appeared on the door to my hostel room, on the tote bags given upon arrival, and on my travels around the city. She is to Lisbon what Edna St Vincent Millay is to Camden, ME. We attended a reading of her poems at the adorable bookstore Menina e Moça on the famed Pink Street. Since she passed away in 2004, her translator Richard Zenith and her daughter, who owns the bookstore, Cristina Ovídio performed bilingual readings of Sophia’s work set to music. Her grandson even read a poem he’d written. When they finished, they passed around slips of edible paper with the following poem:

The Day

Spend the day with yourself

Let nothing distract you

A poem emerges so young and so old

You can’t know how long it has lived in you

After we read it a few times, we ate the paper to take the poem inside ourselves and make it a part of us.

Anyone can Google a country, read a history book, or familiarize themselves with a location, but to experience the words and hearts of the people who live there is different. To learn about history so removed from my own and to see a country healing itself through creative endeavors helped me to understand it on a deeper level. To have had this opportunity through Disquiet added shape and layers for me as a human and as a writer in a way I could never have done on my own.

To learn more about the Disquiet International Literary Program, visit www.disquietinternational.org. There are a variety of scholarships, fellowships, and a contest. The contest includes fiction, non-fiction, and poetry which are processed through Submittable. 2019 was their tenth year of the program, and they had over fourteen hundred applicants to the contest. I wasn’t the contest winner, but she was in my workshop, and I learned a great deal from her. However, I was honored to receive a scholarship to attend.

Along with the contest and scholarships, there are Luso-American Fellowships for four North American writers of Luso descent. Disquiet has made an effort to increase the awareness around Luso-American voices and launched their first book Behind the Stars, More Stars, which is an anthology of Luso-American alumni of the Disquiet program. Disquiet has a residency following the two weeks in Lisbon. I had a chance to attend the residency in Sao Miguel in 2018, and it was a true pleasure.

***

Christy O’Callaghan lives in Upstate, New York. She works with incarcerated adults seeking employment. Her favorite pastimes include hiking, gardening, swimming, and collecting sea glass—anything outside in the fresh air. You can learn more about her, her blog about being an over 40 newbie writer, and her work at www.christyflutterby.com.

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6 comments Christy O'Callaghan, Disquiet International Literary Program, Lisbon, Portugal, writing retreat, writing workshop

Gifts for Writers

If you’re anything like me, you’re in the weeds of holiday gift buying. My Amazon cart is full, and my checking account is dwindling.

Presents are permeating my mind and, I must admit, I’ve even given some thought to the writing-related gifts I’d like this holiday season.

Last month, I offered ways to thank the writer in your life. This month, I thought I’d offer gift ideas for that same special someone.

The first idea that comes to mind is books specifically geared towards writers. These could be books with publishing advice, books that help with structure or development, or books that provide support with world or character building. I have several and usually get updates of my favorites every year. They are a treasure trove of information, and I’m always happy to receive them.

Want to support your writer’s daily work? Why not give them a notebook where they can jot down ideas. While most writer use computers to write their books, many writers continue to keep a pocket journal for those spur-of-the-moment inspirations. A quality, leather notebook, or small, pocket-style journal are a great way to support and inspire their work.

Whenever agents and editors give advice to writers, it’s to read – widely – in their specific genre. Yes, we all have kindles and books on tape, but there is something about receiving a brand-new book in your favorite genre that can spark even the most tired of writers. Help them write by giving them the gift of writing.

If you’re willing to give them a more expensive gift, consider giving them the gift of a writer’s retreat. These retreats occur all over the United States, and offer a wonderful opportunity for them to connect with other writers, to get feedback on their work in progress, and to network with people in the writing and publishing industry.

The best and most valuable gift I can suggest for a writer is also the simplest: give the writer in your life time by themselves to write without interruption. Maybe promise to give them one hour each day of uninterrupted time where they can focus strictly on their writing. For many of us, finding the opportunity to write in our crazy lives – without kids, without spouses, without phone calls – is the best gift we can receive.

So, as you start your holiday shopping this season, consider giving the writer in your life something they can really use to help them further your goals.

Have any great ideas for writers? I’d love to hear them!

Bethany Masone Harar is an author, teacher, and blogger, who does her best to turn reluctant readers into voracious, book-reading nerds. Check out her blog here and her website here.

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5 comments author retreat, Authors, gifts, gifts for writers, journal, time, writing books, writing gifts, writing notebook, writing retreat

Recipe for a Winning Writing Retreat (Serves One to Twenty)

Last week, I had the opportunity to take off a few days and join twenty writers for a writing retreat. I do so love my writing retreats (and this great bunch of writers, too!), but I was in an in between place, writing-wise. I had three sort of projects I could tackle—okay, they were more like vague ideas—so I wasn’t sure I’d get much at all from the retreat.

Boy, was I wrong! By the time I came home, I had the first couple chapters of a new novel and a roughly outlined plot to go along with it. And I had worked enough on one of those ideas to know that the project wasn’t ready for development.

So how do you get the most out of a three-day writing retreat and cook up something swell? Here’s the top ingredients we used, and I promise you can get great results, too, no matter the size of your retreat:

Unstructured Structure

The retreat was at a lovely convent that provided three meals a day and those meals were served promptly. And that was our only schedule, our only structure. We kept a white board in the kitchen so that anyone who had a writing need could post it during the three days. It was no guarantee that folks would show up at, say, 4:00 for a critique session, but it kept us from wandering around, trying to gather writers. Meals were a great time to make announcements or plans with a buddy, too, but we had only thirty minutes or so before we headed back to work!

Of course, it’s wonderful to have meals fixed and no day-to-day worries except the problems of a lousy plot, but even a retreat at home is doable, as long as you give family and friends the heads up. A little preparation beforehand (meals fixed, a board for notes) can provide the same structure for a Saturday Writing Retreat, Party of One.

Unplug the World

We had Wi-Fi but I suspect that most of the writers were like me: mostly unplugged from our devices. There was no TV at the facility, so one less distraction to pull us away from work. I don’t know why I always forget just how much time I waste once I plug in, whether it’s the social media suck or TV or my newspaper, but I’m always amazed at how much I accomplish when I turn off the outside world.

You can get the media monkey off your back, too, even if your writing retreat is just three hours at your local coffee shop. Unplug yourself and marvel at the work you accomplish!

Targeted Feedback

Getting critique from disciplined, successful writers is always helpful, but not always practical at a retreat. There just isn’t time to get everyone caught up on a 100,000-word novel. But you can get feedback on a first chapter, or a query, or even a concept. The trick is to be very specific in what you want to know. Don’t expect a group of writers to fix a sagging middle, but listen carefully if everyone in the room thinks your first chapter is middle grade—and you’re writing a young adult novel.

A retreat on your own doesn’t mean that you can’t send an email during the day and ask a trusted writer friend about specific issues. It might, however, be a good idea to let that friend know you’re doing a retreat and would appreciate feedback ASAP.

It’s not complicated, putting together a successful writing retreat. Just stick to the ingredients list and watch your writing dish take home the prize!

~Cathy C. Hall

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3 comments Cathy C. Hall, writing feedback, writing retreat

Scriptapalooza

Although I consider myself an adaptable writer, there are some types of writing that are quite beyond me. One is screenwriting. I wouldn't know the first thing about writing a story while taking into consideration things like camera angles, set dressing and a host of other factors. But for those of you that who craft scripts, I've learned about the Scriptapalooza Fellowship.

The winner of the Scriptapalooza Fellowship receives a 5 day writer's getaway on Costa Rica and a six month mentorship with a successful producer. Happily, this is not a one chance fellowship. They will also award five winners $1,000, a three month mentorship and an online writing course. everyone who enters Scriptapalooza receives four to five pages of feedback, something every writer craves. The entry fee is $155. Entries are accepted from September 1 through October 31 so now is the time to polish that script until it's perfect as well as your one page answer to the question: Why are you interested in this fellowship and what do you hope to gain from it?

Scriptapalooza also has several other contests throughout the year. Scriptapalooza TV, a contest for TV writers, is open now. They are accepting entries through October 15. In January 2016 the entry period for the Scriptapalooza contest, for writers of screenplays, opens.

Good luck!

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Leave a Comment contests, screenwriting, scripts, TV writing, writing retreat

What Does It Take To Have a Writing Retreat?

Two weekends ago, I was lucky enough to go on a writing retreat at Conception Abbey, Missouri, which is about 90 minutes north of Kansas City. For those of you who have never heard of Conception Abbey, it's a Benedictine Monastery with an extremely nice and inexpensive retreat center, and this is where SCBWI-MO holds our Advanced Writers Retreat. But while I was at this extremely peaceful place, I wondered if this is what writers need to be on a retreat. Do we need to get away from it all to write, and if so, what does the retreat venue have to have?

I've been on several retreats--from a lovely lakehouse to a hotel in the middle of a busy city. To be honest, the one thing a retreat gives you that you don't get in your day-to-day life is the expectation that you are SUPPOSED to be constantly working on your work-in-progress. You are not supposed to stop to take the kids to school, feed and walk the dog, clean the bathroom, go to the grocery store, or prepare dinner for your family. There's no guilt--you are retreating to write. But what else does a retreat really need?

Here's what Conception Abbey provided me:

1. Fewer distractions: Some of you will not believe this, but there was no TV in my room and no Internet either. My phone could be used as a hot spot when I needed the Internet, or I could go to the library to use theirs. But the biggest factor was no TV. I don't watch that much at home, but in a hotel, I tend to turn it on. No TV, no chance to turn it on. The rooms were also so inexpensive that each of us got our own, which is so nice because if we need quiet or fewer distractions to write, we had it! Plus, I had arranged someone else to take care of my four-year-old and dog, so right there, I had a bunch of time! 

2. Other writers: But writers need other writers to bounce ideas off of and maybe even receive some useful feedback. I had this at the Conception Abbey retreat, too!  I rode across Missouri with three other lovely writers and then had a critique group I met with each night, as well as eating meals with writers who are all trying to do the same thing--use retreat time to write. Plus, and this is not really a need but it was nice, everyone at this retreat was writing for children or teens!

3. Food: You have to keep yourself energized on a retreat--you need to eat. At the Abbey, someone else prepared our meals three times a day,  and we just showed up and ate them. This was amazing! It was like being back in college, but with MUCH BETTER FOOD! Plus our regional adviser bought chocolate, and there was plenty of coffee to go around. You don't need someone to make meals for you, although it is so nice, but you do need to think about food BEFORE you show up to the retreat, or a lot of your writing time will be spent on: What am I going to eat and how am I going to get this food? When my critique group goes on retreat together, we just each take a meal--plan it, buy for it and cook it that day. So you are only doing one meal, instead of six for the whole weekend, etc. My advice: think about this BEFORE you arrive! 

I hope at some point this spring, summer, or fall, you have a chance to go on a retreat, even if it's just for 24 hours. And for goodness sakes, if someone says to you, I have a house in the country that you can use for retreat or I need a dog sitter for the weekend when I'm gone--handing you a retreat opportunity with little effort or expense, snatch it up! 

Margo L. Dill is a children's author of three books and a writing instructor. Her next class is Writing Children's and Teen Short Fiction which starts on May 13 and instructs on how to write short stories for this audience for publication and contests before you have a novel or picture book published. To find out more about the class see the link above; to find out more about Margo, please visit Margo's website.

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3 comments Margo L. Dill, SCBWI, work in progress, writing retreat, writing time

Aloha Writers Retreat: Tap Into Your Naturally Creative Soul

What could be better than spending a week relaxing and writing at the beach with other like-minded writers? Doing it in Hawaii! That's what writers and workshop leaders, Dawne Knobbe and Svette Bykovec, are offering writers this fall (November 7th through 14th). As their website states, come to the Aloha Writers Retreat and "join us . . .for a unique journey into your creative soul."

Dawne is the author of Runaway Storm, a young adult novel, and is very involved with SCBWI-LA. You can find out more about Dawne below as she talks to us about the Hawaii retreat, or you can visit her website. Svett is an award-winning author and illustrator; her books (writer/illustrator) include See Into the Sea and Crazy Crustaceans. Her website is MoonDog Manuscripts.

Read on to see what you will do in Hawaii, what the price includes, and special discounts for WOW! readers and/or if you are willing to have a roommate.

Dawne & Svett

WOW: Hi Dawne, thank you for being with us today to discuss the Aloha Writers Retreat. Please start by telling us how this wonderful retreat began.

Dawne: For many years, Svett Bycovec and I organized two writers' retreats in California. One year we would hold Critiquemania, which was a very fast-paced, intense 3-day retreat; then the next year, we would organize Sense and Sensibility, which was more about the creative process and nurturing your inner muse. When Svett moved back to Australia, we started thinking about doing something that would combine the two, and the idea for the Aloha Writers retreat was born. There is something so magical about Hawaii that we couldn’t think of a better location to inspire writers.

WOW: Yes, that is so true! I'm sure Hawaii would inspire me. Who should attend this workshop? Are there any specifications for certain writers, genres, etc?

Dawne: This retreat is for writers of all genres. It is geared towards people who are actively working on writing projects but beginners are welcome. Writing is a creative process, whether you are writing fiction, non-fiction, or for children or adults. I personally have a background in many genres, so I hope to help people explore different genres.

WOW: Great! What can attendees expect during their seven days in Hawaii at your retreat?

Dawne: It will be a week of healing and nurturing the writer within you. We will work through stumbling blocks in your creative process and specific issues in your stories. We will critique each others work supportively and participate in different exercises designed to inspire our muses. Attendees will come away with new friends, the inspiration to move forward with their writing, and new methods to help achieve their goals. We will also have a lot of fun exploring the island culture and relaxing in this tropical paradise.

WOW: That sounds wonderful. What all is included in the price for the attendees? Who leads the retreat?

Dawne: The price of the retreat includes 7 nights of accommodations. 

Breakfast and dinner daily, plus some lunches and lots of snacks. 

If you have uncomplicated special dietary considerations, we are happy to work with you. Otherwise, we have an open kitchen policy, and you are welcome to prepare your own dishes.

 Besides food and lodging, the price all program fees include: materials including entrance fees on planned excursions

, transportation (with some limitations), 
daily “writing fun-shops” 

inspiration and exercises with faculty, plus one-on-one editing and group critiques. There are also

 specialty supplies and surprises.

 So there's time to relax, reflect, write and enjoy beautiful Hawaii. If you mention WOW, we will extend our early bird discount rate of $2269.00 (which is a savings of $300).

WOW: This sounds so amazing! Thank you for all the details. What else do WOW! readers and writers need to know about the Aloha Writers Retreat?

Dawne: Svett is a published writer, illustrator, and art therapist. I have a master's degree in professional writing and have made my living as a journalist, creative director, writer, and publisher. We run a non-profit press called The Nature Kid, which is all about teaching children about conservation in a fun and wacky way.

And here is some really good news for WOW readers. We have a special early bird discount ($300) and also a roommate discount ($200). We will extend the discount rate for all WOW! participants past the posted deadline.

WOW: Thanks, Dawne, for all the information. It sounds fantastic! 

Okay, Muffin readers, to sign up for this amazing experience, please go to Hawaii Retreat 2014 website by clicking here.

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Leave a Comment Aloha Writers Retreat, Dawne Knobbe, get inspired, Hawaii, muse, writing retreat

Retreat! Why You Should Pack Your Bags and Go

In February, Sioux wrote about a retreat she and a two of her writing friends created for themselves. It gave them time and space for writing and critique.

Another opportunity for writers is a larger regional retreat. We have one here in Missouri every year organized by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). In fact, that’s where I am this weekend. No matter how busy my writing life gets, I always make time for this event for three very important reasons.

1. Face time with a pro. Have you ever gotten comments on a rejection letter and wished that you could ask the agent or editor a few questions? An organized retreat gives you that opportunity. If you get the feedback ahead of time, you also have the chance to revise and get this person’s reaction on that as well. Did you do what she wanted? Go too far? Or not push yourself far enough? At your meeting, you’ll have the answers.
2. What about when… Another great thing about a retreat is that it gives you time with fellow writers. We always spend part of this time bouncing the feedback that we’ve received off each other. What would you do when an agent asks you to do this? Did I completely misunderstand? Learning how other writers work with feedback can help you find techniques and strategies to use in your own rewrites.
3. Seven Degrees of Separation. An organized retreat also gives you the chance to meet writers you don’t already know. In addition to receiving feedback from new people, you have the opportunity to form friendships and make connections. Like it or not, connections are important in publishing. Writers that I’ve met at retreats have referred me to their editors. When my editors need additional writers for a job, these are the people whose names go on my list as well.

New friendships, professional connections, an opportunity to learn and writing. What more can you ask for in a weekend?  Good food? Let’s just say that no one goes away hungry here in Missouri!

--SueBE

Find out more about Sue and her work at her blog, One Writer's Journey.

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3 comments retreat, rewriting, SCBWI, Sioux Roslawski, The Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators, writing retreat

The Ten Top Benefits of Traveling to a Writing Retreat

By Laura Davis

1. Writing retreats lead to deep transformative experiences, cracking us open and awakening us to new possibilities. Nothing is as powerful as walking away from our daily lives to enter a safe, sacred environment solely focused on enhancing and supporting our creativity. One of the things I love most about retreats is seeing people’s faces change from the first day to the last. They often look scared and uncertain on the first day—but by the end of the retreat, their faces are gleaming with love, connection and openness.

2. You leave behind all the things that distract you from your writing. When we are freed from our to-do lists and the relentless pressure of the “undone,” we are free to focus on our heart’s desire: connecting with the deep place the truest writing comes from.

3. You leave behind your excuses. Making a conscious choice to commit to your writing for an intensive period of time focuses the mind and leads to breakthroughs in your work—and in your life.

4. You step away from the routines and obligations that weigh us down and lead us to crave escape, rather than vibrant engagement in life. Escaping the habitual opens the doors to awakening and creativity. When we put ourselves in a beautiful place where the conditions are designed specifically to support and nurture us and our creativity, we hone our focus toward what we really want.

5. Traveling is transformative and enables us to leave behind old, tired identities. As Joseph Dispenza says, in The Way of the Traveler: “When we move out of the familiar…we set in motion a series of events that, taken together, bring about changes at the very root of our being.”

6. Seeing a new culture awakens our senses and enables us to perceive the world with fresh eyes. What makes great writing “pop” is rich sensory detail. Traveling to a new place lets us see, smell, hear and taste a myriad of new experiences. When we enter a brand new environment, we continually notice the kinds of unusual, quirky details that make writing vivid and memorable.

7. Taking risks in life enables us to take risks in our writing. When I brought writers to Bali last year, I asked them to make the commitment to take a new risk every day. These ranged from tasting an unfamiliar food to starting a conversation with a Balinese person, from climbing under a waterfall to bartering in the market. We kept a log of our daily risks, and they got more brazen each day. These daily risks paved the way for us to take greater risks in our writing as well: approaching a previously taboo subject, trying out a new voice, reading a vulnerable piece out loud.

8. Traveling with an intention and a focus creates a far more meaningful vacation. When you travel with a purpose, your vacation is much richer than when you are simply go to relax or see the sights in a new place. And the fact that you are writing about your experiences guarantees a rich, lasting record of your adventures.

9. Living, working and playing with other writers quickly creates an intimate writing community. When you write intimately with other writers, you are deeply inspired by their stories. When another writer in the group is gifted at dialogue—able to evoke a vivid setting—or a memorable character—or is particularly brave about putting herself on the page—you learn to do the same through osmosis and example.

10. The new habits and friends you make at a writing retreat enrich your life for months and years to come. Students at writing retreats share a profound, life-changing experience. The bonding that happens at a retreat leads to lifelong friendships. People return home feeling refreshed, renewed, and deeply connected—both to themselves and to an amazing creative community.

***

Since she published her first book, The Courage to Heal, in 1988, Laura Davis has been teaching and encouraging other writers. If you’d like to experience the transformative power of Laura’s writing retreats, there are still a few spaces left in Laura’s “Write, Travel Transform” summer retreat: in Bali, from June 21st-July 5th, and in Scotland, from August 14th-24th. You can reach Laura at lauradavis[at]lauradavis[dot]net or call her at 831-464-9517.

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7 comments Bali retreat, Laura Davis, Scotland retreat, writers' retreat, writing retreat