Creative writing
CREATIVE WRITING
7 days of inspiration and imagination
‘So you see, imagination needs moodling - long, inefficient, happy idling, dawdling and puttering.’
- Brenda Ueland
19th – 25th June / 4th – 10th September
Calling all star gazers, the dreamers and the drifters, the wild and the willing.
This retreat is perfect for any budding writer – whether you’ve been secretly scribbling in notebooks for years, got a few publications under your belt or are just simply curious about the power of words.
Over our week together, we’ll delve into guerrilla poetry, discover new ways of creating convincing characters, and explore the power – and pitfalls – of dialogue. With a healthy balance of technique and inspiration, you’ll learn how to use a range of tools to help you express that wonderful and wild imagination belonging only to you.
The writer’s studio is set in 2 acres of luscious garden, with a river running through. Meditation spaces are dotted along the riverside and with hammocks, swinging chairs, poolside tables and plenty of shady trees we’ll take the craft of writing back out into the wild.
Your writing tutors are published authors, editors and experienced mentors with a passion for supporting other writers to develop their confidence and practice. Over these seven days they’ll show you how to cultivate a joyful practice of writing, how to find inspiration anywhere and how to fall in love every day with the magic of words and ideas.
Our September and October programmes coincide with two of the most exciting and beautiful local festivals. September sees the local village of Guaro hosting the Luna Mora - a Moorish festival of middle eastern food, art and music; while in October we’ll draw inspiration from the three-day Halloween celebrations - the Day of the Witches, All Saints Day and the Day of the Dead.
Guests are welcome to arrive from 2pm onwards on Day 1 and make use of the swimming pool and luscious gardens, before we first come together as a group for our evening sessions - a welcome circle, group meditation and a sumptuous supper.
The retreat finishes after our morning session and breakfast on day 7, allowing guests plenty of time to travel back home – refreshed, smiling and with a new love of writing.
Food is vegetarian and sugar-free with vegan options for each meal, cooked with love and using only organic and locally produced ingredients wherever possible. Tea, herbal infusions, fresh coffee and organic wines and beers are all self-service and are included in the cost of the retreat. Allergies and intolerances can be catered for – please inform us in advance so we can best prepare to care for your needs.
A typical day looks like this:
08:30 - 09:30 Morning meditation and freewriting
09:30 - 10:30 Breakfast - a delicious assortment of fresh fruit, whole cereals, porridge with superfood supplements, and Spanish tostadas with herby tomatoes
10:30 - 12:00 Writers’ workshop
12:00 - 13:30 Free time to develop your writing, swim, enjoy a massage, or lounge in a hammock and read
13:30 - 14:30 Lunch – a colourful buffet of superfood salads, fresh breads (including wheat-free), and local olives and cheeses
14:30 - 16:00 Writer’s workshop
16:00 - 18:00 Free time to develop your writing, swim, enjoy a massage, or lounge in a hammock and read
18:00 - 19:00 Evening meditation and freewrite
19:00 - 20:00 Supper – paellas, tortillas, or sensational stews depending on what culinary inspiration guides our chef that day!
20:00 - 21:00 Evening session – this may be a dreamy yoga nidra, a fire clearing ritual, a cacao ceremony or an evening of music around the fire.
21:00 - sleep Journaling and private time
Prices start from 650 EUR and include all food, accommodation and workshops - guests are only required to purchase their flights and travel insurance in addition.
BOOK NOW
On some retreats we have Karma Yoga places available for guests wanting to offer a few hours of their time each day in return for a reduced fee. Roles typically include social media and blog writing, but please enquire for full details of what’s available.
INSPIRING A GREATER LOVE OF LIFE
