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What can I say to convince you to join me for a writing retreat in 2012? Well, I’ve been leading them since 1991 and more than half of the writers return—usually return more than once.
All skill levels welcome. This isn’t a contest or an ordeal—it’s pure fun! Also extremely productive. No one else sees your writing on the page, so you don’t have to bother about spelling. You read to us what you’ve written if you choose.
Bring notebook and/or laptop.
Use the opportunity to progress on whatever writing project you’re engaged in or simply ‘go with the flow.’ I know you can take whatever suggestion I make and apply it to a particular project, because I often do so and end up thrilled—because the challenge of the unexpected ‘trigger’ stimulates a bigger creative jump. Trust me, it does!
Again and again in these writing circles I witness the ‘creative lunge.’ We make it effortlessly. You owe it to yourself to give this creative method a try.
If you’re writing fiction or poetry or memoir, the unexpected starting point coupled with speed of the response (while the stopwatch runs) will provide a real boost.
Expect to be launched out of the paths at the surface of the mind.
See below for details on the 6 retreats I’ve scheduled for 2012—most in NC, one in VA, one in Ohio. I also lead many brief writing circles local to Charlotte, NC, so be in touch if interested. 704-875-6112
- Thanks, Barbara Lawing
First, a Quick List of my 2012 Retreats:
(See details below.)
March 9-11, 2012 Write Write Write!
Ambrosia Farm B&B in Floyd, Virginia
May 19 Write Write Write!
Degrees of Freedom Retreat Center
West Salem, Ohio (northeast corner of state, near Lake Erie)
June 2 (optional stay overnight onsite) Write Write Write!
Florence Thomas Art School
Glendale Springs, NC (Blue Ridge Parkway)
August 24-26, Write Wild at Wildacres
Wildacres Retreat Center
Little Switzerland, NC
September 8 (optional stay overnight onsite) Collage Write
Florence Thomas Art School
Glendale Springs, NC (Blue Ridge Parkway)
Nov. 2-4, The Art of Winged Words
Holden Beach, NC (oceanfront)
Now the Details:
March 9-11, 2012 Write Write Write!
At the historic Ambrosia Farm B&B, Floyd, Virginia
(Close to I-77 at the VA/NC border)
Discover what you have to say. Expect pure joy in the experience. Instructor Barbara Lawing for 20 years has taught creative writing, worked as a freelance editor, and facilitated writing retreats. Barbara provides starting points that lead to the words you didn’t know you had in you. You steer your course into memoir, essay, fiction, poetry, or simply amble along with language and see where you end up. It will be a no-pressure see-what-we-write joyful time. Writing retreat is $100. Room rates vary. Contact Ambrosia Farm to make your reservation. www.ambrosiafarm.net
Contact Barbara: bklawing@att.net
May 19, Saturday, Write Write Write!
Degrees of Freedom Retreat Center, West Salem, OH
Join Barbara’s writing circle and discover what you have to say. Expect pure joy in the experience. Instructor Barbara Lawing (for 20 years) has taught creative writing, worked as a freelance editor, and facilitated writing retreats. We gather in a circle and get ‘starting points’ that lead to the words we didn’t know we had in us. We aim for memoir, essay, fiction, poetry—or simply amble along with language to let it take us where it will. “In the beginning we find the end” – and therein lies the significance of the prompt, which may be a quote or phrase or photo or other.
Contact Barbara: bklawing@att.net
June 2 (optional stay on the 1st) Write Write Write!
Florence Thomas Art School, Glendale Springs, NC
(In Ashe County at the Blue Ridge Parkway)
Discover what you have to say. Expect pure joy as Instructor Barbara Lawing provides take-off points that lead to the words you didn’t know you had in you. Writing session Saturday the 2nd, from 9:00 – 4:30, with catered lunch, $90. Lodging available. I’ll arrive afternoon Friday. If you choose this option (the overnight stay) we can go into West Jefferson for dinner. Also, when the writing session concludes I ride the Parkway for an hour or so Saturday late in the day before starting home, to enjoy fresh air and magnificent views. You’re welcome to join me. The trip into West Jefferson and sightseeing on the Parkway are a nice option. Whether you decide to lodge at the school or come for the day, I look forward to writing with you on Saturday, June 2.
Make your reservation with Florence School:
info@florenceartschool.org 336-982-2499
Check out the website: www.florenceartschool.org
Contact Barbara: bklawing@att.net
August 24-26, Write Wild at Wildacres
Wildacres Retreat Center, Little Switzerland, NC
Wildacres is one of those heavenly places where we always wish we were staying longer. Modern accommodations on a mountaintop with views of Mt. Mitchell—and a beautiful dining hall. It’s sure a wonderful experience to be writing away and know that the Wildacres staff is preparing a healthy and delicious meal for us. I feel very privileged to take a groups of writers to Wildacres. Hope you can join me this time. Check in Friday at 4:00 (or as soon as you can get there), checkout 11:30 Sunday.
Deposit of $40 holds your space. Total fee for two nights five meals and writing sessions: $200 (double occupancy). Private room available if you need it for health reasons. And if you need a first floor room (to avoid stair climbing), let me know.
Mail deposit to Barbara Lawing, 6211 Jim Kidd Road, Huntersville, NC 28078.
Check out their website. You’ll see why I always look forward to being there: www.wildacres.org
For questions about the retreat and to pay the fee: Contact Barbara:
bklawing@att.net 704-875-6112
September 8 (optional stay overnight onsite) Collage Write!
Florence Thomas Art School, Glendale Springs, NC
(In Ashe County at the Blue Ridge Parkway)
Make quick collages, find inspiration for writing. Materials provided. This Florence School session will be much like the one in June except we will use magazine pictures to find our ideas for writing. As in all freewrite circles I lead, we are sure to take surprising directions with our words – and end up thrilled with our discoveries. Such fun!
Overnight stay optional – but staying over means we have time to sightsee a bit.
Writing session Saturday the 2nd, from 9:00 – 4:30, with catered lunch, $90.
I’ll arrive afternoon Friday. If you choose this option we can go together into West Jefferson for dinner, and when the writing session on Saturday concludes we can ride the Parkway for a bit, to enjoy fresh air and magnificent views, perhaps even a short hike. You’re welcome to join me. The sightseeing is always a good part of the Florence School experience. Everything I mention outside the 9:00 to 4:30 frame is optional.
Make your reservation with Florence School.
info@florenceartschool.org 336-982-2499
Their website: www.florenceartschool.org
Contact Barbara: bklawing@att.net
November 2-4, Holden Beach, NC – Oceanfront
The Art of Winged Words
The original, since 1991, when I organized my first writing retreat. Every year this event has been a huge success, a marvelous experience. How could it not be when we stay in a big house with the ocean right outside? Holden Beach is an island off the NC coast south of Wilmington. Non-commercialized family beach, and at this time of year almost deserted. The island faces south, so sunrises and sunsets are fine sights.
Come prepared to write – oceanfront! O the joy and glory of it – writing with the surf and waves right outside the window. We begin with prompts that quickly and easily get our words on the page. You write in the direction of your choice: fiction, nonfiction, memoir, journaling, poetry. Next step: We examine what we’ve written, to identify and/or add details that ensure the writing flies straight to a reader's heart. The process is fun, non-threatening, suitable for writers of all skill levels.
Holden Beach, NC, is a quiet non-commercialized beach – an island accessible by a short bridge. We stay in a spacious modern house with rocking chairs overlooking the sea.
Limited to 8 participants, so get your registration check to me as soon as you can.
Most rooms are double accommodations. If you need a private room for health reasons, let me know. We check in Friday at 4:00 p.m., checkout midday Sunday.
Total cost is $249 with $40 of it a nonrefundable deposit. Fee includes housing and writing sessions. Send deposit to me at 6211 Jim Kidd Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078.
We keep food costs minimal at the beach retreat by taking sandwich makings, beverages, cereals, fruit and snacks. We eat well if each person brings small amounts of food, which become communal property once we unpack. Please think healthy, no high sugar content foods. (We write better when we eat better.)
On Saturday evening we divvy up chores and make a candlelit feast. We purchase fresh fish and shrimp just up the road from Captain Pete’s boat. Our Saturday evening festivity is always one of the memorable parts of the oceanfront writing retreat.
About accessibility: You must be able to climb the stairs into the house (I can carry your bags up and there’s good railing to hold to). Oceanfront homes are built on stilts, but after you’re in, you may stay in a first floor room and enjoy the beach from the porch.
I look forward to writing with you!
Contact me with questions:
Barbara Kidd Lawing
704-875-6112
bklawing@att.net
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