In the hustle and bustle of daily life, our cherished writing projects can get lost. Rushing through traffic, cleaning house, shuttling kids from school to soccer, working at a fulltime job…these tasks often drain us, mentally as well as physically. That’s why, writing colonies and retreats offer such treasured moments. When we steal away from mundane, pragmatic chores, when we drink in nature and solitude, we refresh the wellsprings of creativity that make creation possible.
The Adirondack Writers Mountain Retreat
Contact: Persis Granger
7460 SE 51st Way
Trenton, FL 32693
www.pw.org
Perkinfl@aol.com
AROHO - A Room of Her Own Foundation
P.O. Box 778
Placitas, NM 87043
tracey@aroomofherownfoundation.org
Hillhouse Farms Writers Retreat
894 Odd Fellows Hall Road
Pulaski, TN 38478
931.424.9029
karen@hillhousewriters.com
Hedgebrook Writing Colony
216 1st Avenue S., Suite 4AS
Seattle, WA 98104
206.325.6773
The Lucious Women's Writers Retreat
Taos, NM
Contact: Michele Lisenbury Christensen
206.696.1460
Helene Wurlitzer Foundation
P.O. Box 1891
Taos, N.M. 87571
505.758.2413
Mesa Refuge - Writing on the Edge
Point Reyes Writing Retreat (California)
P.O. Box 3286
Berkely, CA 94703
Juliet.Kirkham@gmail.com
mesarefuge@gmail.com
Vermont Studio Center
Box 613
Johnston, VT 05656
802.635.2727
Dorland Mountain Arts Colony
P. O. Box 6
Temecula, CA 92390
951.302.3837
Anam Cara Writers and Artists Retreat
Eyeries, Beara, Co. Cork, Ireland
353.(0) 27. 74441
info@anamcararetreat.com
Redwood Writing Project
Humbolt State University
Nelson Hall West 234
Arcata, CA 95521
707.826.5109
Lew Hunter Screenwriting 434
340 E. 7th Street
Superior, Nebraska 68978
Lew1@windstream.net
Although I counsel every serious writer to experience a writer’s retreat at some point, remember that you can create a nurturing environment at home. Farm out the kids, trade off carpooling with a friend, stop off at the library or just buy a great pair of earmuffs. All of these ideas will bring you privacy and a change from the norm that may spark your inner muse.
That said, I recall a writers retreat at Arch Cape, OR with great affection. Dawns heralded by seagulls and crashing surf, misty mornings aglitter with dew drenched blackberry brambles, followed by sunsets of ruddy crimson laced with the scent of driftwood fires will always enrich my memory. Before leaving, I wrote a poem of hope, scripted it onto parchment, burned the edges, rolled it up and sealed it in a bottle by dripping wax over the cork. Of course, I threw it into the ocean. What else could I do with a message in a bottle? It was the ultimate act of hope. And, maybe that’s what writer’s retreats are for…for building hopes and nurturing dreams with solitude.
One of the best reasons to attend a retreat is to develop connections with other serious writers. Not only can you meet and mingle with well-known luminaries, but your work may often be reviewed by editors/authors that are “in the know.” Many of the following listings are drawn from an article in the Writers Yearbook, written by author and passionate “retreat” writer Jordan E. Rosenfeld. Thank you, Jordan, for reminding us that every retreat should be thoroughly vetted prior to purchase or application.
The Adirondack Writers Mountain Retreat
Contact: Persis Granger
7460 SE 51st Way
Trenton, FL 32693
www.pw.org
Perkinfl@aol.com
AROHO - A Room of Her Own Foundation
P.O. Box 778
Placitas, NM 87043
tracey@aroomofherownfoundation.org
Hillhouse Farms Writers Retreat
894 Odd Fellows Hall Road
Pulaski, TN 38478
931.424.9029
karen@hillhousewriters.com
Hedgebrook Writing Colony
216 1st Avenue S., Suite 4AS
Seattle, WA 98104
206.325.6773
The Lucious Women's Writers Retreat
Taos, NM
Contact: Michele Lisenbury Christensen
206.696.1460
Helene Wurlitzer Foundation
P.O. Box 1891
Taos, N.M. 87571
505.758.2413
Mesa Refuge - Writing on the Edge
Point Reyes Writing Retreat (California)
P.O. Box 3286
Berkely, CA 94703
Juliet.Kirkham@gmail.com
mesarefuge@gmail.com
Vermont Studio Center
Box 613
Johnston, VT 05656
802.635.2727
Dorland Mountain Arts Colony
P. O. Box 6
Temecula, CA 92390
951.302.3837
Anam Cara Writers and Artists Retreat
Eyeries, Beara, Co. Cork, Ireland
353.(0) 27. 74441
info@anamcararetreat.com
Redwood Writing Project
Humbolt State University
Nelson Hall West 234
Arcata, CA 95521
707.826.5109
Lew Hunter Screenwriting 434
340 E. 7th Street
Superior, Nebraska 68978
Lew1@windstream.net
Although I counsel every serious writer to experience a writer’s retreat at some point, remember that you can create a nurturing environment at home. Farm out the kids, trade off carpooling with a friend, stop off at the library or just buy a great pair of earmuffs. All of these ideas will bring you privacy and a change from the norm that may spark your inner muse.
That said, I recall a writers retreat at Arch Cape, OR with great affection. Dawns heralded by seagulls and crashing surf, misty mornings aglitter with dew drenched blackberry brambles, followed by sunsets of ruddy crimson laced with the scent of driftwood fires will always enrich my memory. Before leaving, I wrote a poem of hope, scripted it onto parchment, burned the edges, rolled it up and sealed it in a bottle by dripping wax over the cork. Of course, I threw it into the ocean. What else could I do with a message in a bottle? It was the ultimate act of hope. And, maybe that’s what writer’s retreats are for…for building hopes and nurturing dreams with solitude.
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