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Wednesday 26th July – Thursday 27th July 2017
Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia
Hello, lovely!
I know how much you want to write.
I know that your soul craves stories ~ reading and telling them. I know that whenever you write, time passes in a strange, surreal way and that you forget to eat. It feels like love.
It IS love.
So there is this BIG writing love and there are also these crappy stories we tell ourselves sometimes.
They sound like this:
- It’s too hard.
- I don’t have time.
- It’s impossible for me to create a writing routine.
- I’m stuck.
- It won’t be perfect so why bother?
- I’m not talented enough.
- Who would even read this anyway?
Those are just stories. Fiction. {I know that you know.}
So let’s figure this out together. Let’s find something that feels more like freedom.
Come retreat with me
For two days in August, I’m hosting six women writers at our yellow house in the fishing village of Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia. All you need is an idea for a writing project (poetry, non-fiction or fiction) and a desire to work with a small group of writers. Together we’ll look at those thoughts that are keeping you from your great love… we’re going to dissolve those thoughts that keep you from writing your story.
Together we’ll create:
- A nurturing, relaxed and fun environment in which you can share your excerpts from your writing project
- A safe space to explore your fears, questions and your BIG dreams
- A writing routine that works for you
- The certainty that you are a writer and that you have a right to tell your story
- A plan for continuing to work on your writing project after you get home
This course is for you if:
- You have a writing project that you’d like to work on. It could be fiction (a novel or short stories), creative non-fiction: (memoir, blog posts, newsletters) or poetry
- You want writing to be a little easier
- You want permission to write (even though you suspect you don’t need it)
- You’d love to stop procrastinating
- You want to develop some writing goals that fit with your life. (There’s no one-size fits all)
- You would love an hour of one on one coaching around a limiting belief that has been holding you back
This course is NOT for you if:
- You don’t have an idea for a writing project
- You are obsessed with publishing. (I’m pro-publishing in the format that speaks most lovingly to you but that’s not the focus of this course)
- You’re unable or unwilling to share your crappy first draft with others
- You’re cynical, pessimistic or a grouch (To be clear, it’s fine if you are a grouch ~ but this is not your retreat.)
What’s Included:
- 2 days of writing with inspiring material, great prompts and meditation moments to help you dive deep into your writing
- 2 light breakfasts, 2 lunches and lots of snacks
- Each participant will have an hour-long coaching session with me before, during or after the retreat. You’ll choose when you’d like to have the call and what you’d like us to focus on.
- A walk by the sea just five minutes from our house. The scenic village of Blue Rocks is a photographer’s dream. Bring your camera or i-Phone.
- Guest class with Damien Pitter, partner, chef and MFA in Creative Writing from UBC
- A photographic portrait of the writer (that’s you!) taken by Monna
- Lots of gorgeous support from Monna
What will a retreat day look like?
Each day we’ll toggle back and forth between learning, writing and sharing. We’ll focus on the following six topics:
1. Fear, Rebelliousness and Ease
2. The relationship between your writing routine and flow
3. Developing your voice
4. Writing Structure
5. Description and Metaphor
6. Sustaining your practice + Celebration
Why work with Monna?
- I’m in love with words
- I’ve been blogging at MonnaMcDiarmid.com (and earlier iterations of this blog) since 2006
- I’ve created two online creative courses: Geography of Now and Poet Laureate of Your Own Life
- My newsletter The Sunday Reader is read by hundreds of people every second Sunday
- My writing has been featured on Tiny Buddha, The Lost Girls and Apartment Therapy. I’ve guest blogged at Almost Fearless, Dry as Toast, Secret Agent Josephine and Heather on Her Travels. I’ve been interviewed for Pret a Voyager.
- I’m working on two YA novels
- I’ve studied writing through Sarah Selecky’s Story Is a State of Mind School
- My undergraduate degree is in English Literature and I have a Masters of Education
- I am a Martha Beck Certified Life Coach
INVESTMENT:
You’ll pay 400 CDN dollars for this four-day retreat. (Yes! That’s Canadian dollars.)
Please note that this is a non-refundable investment in your own creative life so please take time to read my website and ask me any questions you may have in order to make sure that we are a good fit.
Here are some As to your Qs:
When does the magic happen?
Wednesday 26th July – Thursday 27th July. We’ll work together from 8:30ish until 4:30ish each day.
Where will the retreat be held?
We’ll work and play at our house in the fishing village of Blue Rocks, a ten-minute drive from the town of Lunenburg, a UNESCO world heritage site. During writing times, each writer will find her own writing space in our house, on the deck, or in our studio.
Where will I stay?
You’ll book your own Air B&B, B&B or hotel in Blue Rocks, nearby Lunenburg (10 minutes away) or in the city of Bridgewater (about 30 minutes away). When people register, I’ll send some especially yummy accommodation + restaurant recommendations from our Nova Scotia friends and neighbours.
Are meals included?
Each day (Thursday thorough Sunday) we’ll provide a light breakfast and a gorgeous lunch made with local food including cheese, bread and produce from the Lunenburg Farmer’s Market. Damien will be our chef.
What’s the closest airport?
Halifax Stanfield International Airport is a 90-minute drive from our house.
Do I need a car?
Yes. There’s no public transportation between Halifax and the South Shore (Bridgewater/Lunenburg/Blue Rocks). Cars can be rented at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
What does “Casa Limon” mean?
Casa Limon is “yellow house” in Spanish. It’s pronounced ka-sa lee-moan. Damien and I lived in Spanish speaking countries for eleven years.
Please email me at monnamcd {at} gmail.com with any other questions.