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Hello, lovely one.
Do you have a writing project that you’ve struggled to find time for? It might be a novel, a short story, a screen play, or a cookbook for your children. (This may also be a brand new idea.) You love this idea so much and you remember the feeling of excitement when you first came up with this project. You’ve been carrying it around in your heart, your mind and your journal but you keep NOT writing it.
Yup. Me too.
There are many reasons this happens to us:
* Pandemics
* Parenting (and helping educate your children during a pandemic)
* Anxiety
* Sadness
* Work (and not having as much space between work and home)
* Moving house/country/continent
* Comparing your work to the work of others
* Lacking confidence
* Fearing that your story is not good/original/interesting enough
* Believing you are not a writer
* Being afraid
The good news is that it’s not too late.
In this retreat we’ll acknowledge that we are fearful or uncomfortable or overwhelmed and then we’ll sit down with your words anyway. That’s not fearlessness. It’s just life. As humans we often resist things we’d like to do but have told ourselves a story about how hard they are.
What if writing could be a bit easier and more fun?
Yes, please!
I’d like to invite you to an online weekend writing retreat. We’ll meet on Zoom and begin with an introductory session on Friday night. We’ll continue writing on Saturday and Sunday. You bring your own project and I provide a framework in which you:
* tell the group about what you’re working on
* set writing goals for your project
* respond to some writing prompts
* have lots of writing time for yourself
No Critique, Slack Group or Readings:
The most important thing to know is that there will be no critiques of your writing at this retreat. You are the expert on your project and when it is time for an editor, you will get one. You will be invited to share some of what you’re working on at the Saturday evening session and the other writers will share what they love and what resonates with them.
There is also no Slack group and no readings to prepare for the retreat. There is no busy work at all.
This retreat provides an opportunity for you to make some serious headway on your writing project in the company of other like-minded writers.
Why Cozy?
In the Northern Hemisphere, leaves fall from the trees and daylight hours grow a bit shorter each day. We’ve started to think about (if not reach for) winter coats and mittens. We fold warm throw blankets over our sofas and light candles in the evenings. The Universe whispers to all living creatures, “Slow down” and only the humans struggle to listen.
This season feels like a lovely time to make space for our writing in a way that is focussed but not punishing. In fact, each of our retreats will look a little different; you will have the freedom to create a schedule for yourself within the retreat schedule. You’ll have time to work on your project, eat lovely meals, and rest.
Cozy is the vibe for the weekend.
THIS RETREAT IS FOR YOU IF:
you are ready to commit a weekend to this project,
write in the company of others,
hug (or slay) your demons,
and engage with your words
even though you’re scared.
THIS RETREAT IS NOT FOR YOU IF:
* You want someone to critique your writing
* You are not interested in spending any time getting to know the other writers
* You don’t want to spend any time on writing prompts
* You are juggling other activities or responsibilities on this weekend
SCHEDULE:
Friday 19th November:
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. ET – Opening Session
Saturday 20th November:
10 a.m. – 12:00 pm ET – Morning Workshop 1
Afternoon – Writing separately or together. (Monna will be on Zoom from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET if you’d like to write together.)
7:00 -9:00 p.m. ET – Salon (Sharing our work)
Sunday 21st November:
10 a.m. – 12:00 pm ET – Morning Workshop 2
Afternoon – Writing separately or together. (Monna will be on Zoom from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET if you’d like to write together.)
7:00 -8:00 p.m. ET – Closing Session
CLASS SIZE:
There are eight spaces for writers in this retreat.
INVESTMENT:
This course is available at three different price points: $350, $300, and $250 and the tax is included in the price. These prices are in Canadian Dollars not USD.
Please select the most generous rate you feel you can comfortably afford.
If you are Canadian and would prefer to e-transfer your tuition from your bank account, please email me and we can set that up.
CANCELLATIONS:
Participants can cancel up until one week before the retreat (Friday 12th November at 11:59 PM Eastern Time) to receive a full refund.
I’d love to have you join me for this warm and supportive writing retreat. Please email me at monnamcd@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you!