Island Time and Mountain Rise
Treat yourself to a retreat!
Dear fellow writer,
How would you like to spend a blissful week on a gorgeous South Pacific island, where you can immerse yourself in writing and wordcraft with a small group of like-minded writers?
Or perhaps you’re craving a stimulating writing retreat in the crisp mountain air of the Swiss Alps, where you can reconnect with your creativity, hone your intellect, and sharpen your style?
If these scenarios sound like your idea of writing-heaven-on-earth, you’ll be excited to hear that I’m now accepting applications for two exclusive in-person writing retreats in 2024:
Island Time on breathtaking Waiheke Island in Aotearoa New Zealand;
Mountain Rise in the gorgeous alpine village of Wengen, Switzerland.
These retreats are designed for academic, professional, and personal writers of all levels, genres, and disciplines. I’ll lead you in daily small-group coaching sessions and writing workshops on a range of topics — plus, you’ll have ample time for solo writing time in a stunning setting.
Each retreat is 7 days and 6 nights long, with a maximum of just 6 participants per retreat to ensure individual attention and personalized feedback for every writer in the group. Whether you want to make progress on a specific project or to seek fresh inspiration, I’ll work closely with you to help you achieve your writing dreams.
To secure your spot — or if you want to learn more — please read the information and FAQs on my website, then fill out an Expression of Interest form. We’ll get in touch to schedule a short Zoom chat so that I can answer your questions and ensure the retreat will meet your expectations.
There’s no commitment required at this early stage, so you can make your final decision after we talk. But don’t delay! Both retreats will fill up quickly.
Remember, writing retreat alumni and annual WriteSPACE Studio members get an amazing 10% off – that’s a discount of $550.
Don’t miss this opportunity to treat yourself to the writing adventure of a lifetime.
I’d love to see you there — on retreat!
In the WriteSPACE
Weekly Wayfinder for August 7-13
WriteSPACE and WS Studio members: Every week in the WriteSPACE Maproom, you’ll find a featured writing resource to expand your horizons, a playful pomodoro timer to help you keep your writing on track, and a writing-related challenge to sharpen your skills.
This week’s resource: Special Event videos
This week’s timer: Black Hen
This week’s challenge: Watch something special
Not a member? Sign up for a free 30-day trial and check out all our great writing resources for yourself.
On the website
Open Writing Studio video
On July 26, I welcomed a group of enthusiastic writers to my free Open Writing Studio and showed them around the new WriteSPACE Studio membership area, where members of our premium WS Studio membership tier can access a variety of resources to support them in their writing practice. Following the tour, we dove straight into a 90-minute Live Writing Studio session, which included introductions, a brief creative exercise, a timed writing sprint, a live feedback session, and a final collaborative poem. If you missed the live event, an edited video is now available in the WriteSPACE Library, and you can read Event Manager Amy Lewis’ lively account of the event on my blog. Click below to watch the video and experience the magic of the Live Writing Studio for yourself.
Coming soon
FREE Stay-Home Writing Retreat starts next week!
Speaking of retreats — don’t forget to register for my free 5-Day Stay-Home Writing Retreat, which starts next Monday, August 14. This 11-part online video series will guide you through a rewarding, relaxing 5-day writing retreat at home. You can write as much or as little as you like each day, inspired by the SAFE goals that you’ll set for yourself at the outset: Simple, Attainable, Forgiving, and Easy! Sign up below to get twice-daily prompts from August 14-18, 2023 as part of a global community of writers who will be writing right alongside you.
Special offer for WriteSPACE and WS Studio members: I’ll be offering live drop-in Zoom sessions throughout the week, where you can report on your progress, ask questions, and meet other WriteSPACE members from around the world. Check the Calendar in your membership area to find the dates, times, and Zoom link. (Not a member? Sign up here for your free 30-day trial).
Other writing news
Writers at play
If you’re looking for a new book to spark your creativity and inspire your writing, you might want to check out A Play Book: Creating Writers, Creating Citizens by Mary Collins. Described as “part memoir, part manifesto,” this delightful little volume explores the importance of play, flow, and reflection for writers and citizens alike, as Collins draws on her own teaching experiences and childhood memories to show how the decline of unsupervised play in our society has affected our democracy. The charming watercolors that illustrate the book add to the sense of experimentation and playful wonder.
Collins’ Play Book would make a great companion for my upcoming Creativity Catalyst, which starts in early September. Come join me and other writers from around the world for six weeks of serious play!
Do you have writing-related news, events, or resources to share? Contact me with a brief description (50 words max), a hyperlink, and a high-quality image.
Spread the joy! Please encourage your friends, colleagues, and students to join me in the WriteSPACE, a vibrant, low-cost writing community with members in 30+ countries. As a WriteSPACE member, you’ll enjoy free access to Helen’s Word and other premium resources including live workshops, exclusive videos, and weekly prompts.
Kia pai tō koutou rā (have a great day) – and keep on writing!
Helen