JOIN ME FOR A 3-DAY WRITING RETREAT
WITHOUT LEAVING HOME.
Sure, it’s wonderful to do a writing retreat in Tuscany or the south of France,
but that isn’t always possible!
Fortunately, you don’t need to travel anywhere to find inspiration and focus for your writing.
And I would be delighted to help you sculpt that space and experience wherever you are.
HOW WILL THIS WORK?
Each day will begin with a series of delicious creative offerings, a ‘breakfast tray’ of ideas and inspiration to stir your senses, nourish your inner writer, and set the tone and intention for the day. From there, we will explore a specific element of writing with a clear container to provide shape for your ideas. You can also choose to bring an existing writing project to the retreat and apply the day’s sparks and insights to your work.
An essential part of writing is noticing, being present in our surroundings, so we’ll also cultivate that stillness and sensory attentiveness to draw on simple beauty, wherever we are.
Every retreat includes an essential component of movement (if not travel), so I’ll do my best to get you up and doing some stretching in delicious, rejuvenating ways. I believe it was Margaret Atwood who, when asked for writing advice, replied, “Do back exercises. Pain is distracting.” But it’s also uplifting to move! And we writers spend far, far too much time sitting down.
The day will culminate (or begin, if you are Australia or New Zealand!) in a live event that will give us a chance to dive more deeply into the day’s theme, do some writing together, ask/answer questions, and pretend we’re in Tuscany. :)
The live events will be recorded so you can watch them anytime over the ensuing 30 days. (And if these retreat dates don’t work for you, you may choose to do it another time, on your own or with a friend. All the materials will be available for you for 30 days.)
HOW MUCH TIME DO I NEED TO SET ASIDE FOR THIS?
It depends what kind of retreat you are looking to create. Ideally, you can find 30-90 minutes to devote to your writing twice throughout the day. You may decide to write for longer, but there is certainly no pressure to do that. Writing is not just the act of sitting at a desk and typing. It is also the things we do to replenish ourselves, to cleanse the lens through which we normally see our world, to stretch beyond our habits to something fresh and exhilarating. To cast new light on ourselves and our stories. Revitalize ourselves. This is what retreats do best.
HOW IS IT GOING TO FEEL LIKE A RETREAT IF I’M JUST AT HOME?
One of the things I always love to offer people on my retreats is a celebration of pleasure. This usually includes glorious food that we don’t tend to eat in our normal lives (unless you happen to bake fresh pastries for yourself on a daily basis), in addition to great coffee, beautiful wines or special sparkling drinks, lively conversation, inspiring readings, and the experience of being cared for, cherished, indulged in the very best sense.
While I cannot provide the food or drink in this case, I can give you license and encouragement to treat yourselves to a few heavenly experiences (i.e. an almond croissant at a favourite or coveted café, a ridiculously colourful bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine that is $10 more than you usually spend, a hot stone massage, anything you love and rarely do) to make this time together feel special and celebratory. (Believe me, we can have fun together at a distance.) I’ll also offer ideas for pleasure and indulgence that don’t involve spending any money.
Lastly, if you have the means and the freedom to do so, you might consider turning this retreat into a short getaway and checking yourself into a lovely room or AirBnB somewhere, or asking someone to take your kids (or spouse!) for the weekend so you can be entirely alone. Just think pleasure and see where that takes you…
“How is it possible to have experienced so much fun while nourishing myself as a writer? Alison provided the perfect balance of inspiration, teaching, pleasure, song, dance and community connection. If you want to find your voice as a writer, just spend time with Alison.”
“A wonderful voyage from start to finish. Even on Zoom, in the privacy of my home, I felt like I was in the same room with Alison, and I was able to sink into the pleasure and nourishment of writing. Thank you for an amazing and fruitful weekend retreat! Just loved it!!”
DATES:
Tuesday, June 20 - Thursday, June 22
LIVE COMPONENT:
Daily at 12 pm Eastern Time (9 am Pacific / 5 pm GMT)
OR* 8 pm Eastern (5 pm Pacific)
*You may choose the time each day that works best for you.
The live sessions will be approximately 60 minutes.
ALL LIVE SESSIONS WILL BE RECORDED & THE REPLAYS AVAILABLE FOR 30 DAYS.
Aussie & Kiwi Friends!
Your retreat will run from Wednesday, June 21-Friday, June 23.
The live sessions will be daily
at 10am Sydney Time.
PLEASE NOTE: This will be the same curriculum as the February retreat.
If you did the retreat in February and would like to do a second romp,
you may do so at 50% off! Please contact Micah Rodrigues for details.
support@alisonwearing.com
COST:
U$125 / C$135 / £99 / €115 / A$185 / NZ$199
To purchase the retreat, click on the flag of your home currency:
Your Facilitator
Alison Wearing is a bestselling author and multiple award-winning playwright and performer. Her books include Moments of Glad Grace, Confessions of a Fairy’s Daughter, and the internationally acclaimed Honeymoon in Purdah.
Alison is also the creator and facilitator of Memoir Writing Ink, an interactive online program that guides people through the process of transforming personal stories into memoir. Over the last fifteen years, she has lead dozens of writing (and yoga) workshops and retreats in Canada, Mexico, France and Italy. For a full bio, click here.
“For anyone seriously wanting to write the stories of their life, for anyone wanting to make real meaning of their life, Alison’s At-Home Retreat will show you how. ”
“What a delightful way to upgrade not only my writing, but my writing PROCESS! Alison is a creative, infectiously joy-filled sharer of wisdom and knowledge. I certainly recommend spending time in her light!”
“Alison’s At-Home Retreat offered a place and space for both introspection and voice, without ever having to leave home. A way of looking anew at the world we wake and walk in every day. Of being present, as a gift to ourselves, so that we can in turn do the work of creating a gift of our words for the world.”
