Relax and Write Retreat

SINGALONG IN SPRINGBROOK, Feedback Retreat 2025 Rundown.

/ Edwina Shaw / 6 Comments

Some lovely photos by Kylie Burton (Totally Lit Carer’s Fellowship winner)

Is it the magic of the mountains or of writing itself that makes these retreats so special? Another beautiful group of writing folk, at our special feedback and revision retreat, all deep into works in progress. 

The big trees and pademelons of TS Retreat Centre welcomed us as we formed small feedback groups to share work and provide helpful critiques. From old hands with published books under their belts to those attempting their first manuscripts, everyone had something unique to offer the group and the world through their stories.

The cold crept in as clouds blanketed the mountain, but luckily everyone had scarves in their party bags to keep them warm, and a roaring fire in the dining hall to sit beside as they wrote. I loved coming into the hall to find several writers all hard at it, working away on their stories, or sitting in cosy corner together sharing feedback or laughs.

The combination of yoga, writing workshops, healing bodywork treatments from our inhouse healer Monique, and delicious, warm, nurturing meals from our chief cookie Gay brought smiles to everyone’s faces. Epiphanies flew in from the heavens, story problems were solved, characters developed and plots revamped. All in the beauty of Springbrook.

On Saturday night, just as we sat down for our pranayama (yogic breathing) and deep relaxation session, the whole area lost power, plunging us into darkness. But this became one of my favourite moments on retreat – a group of us in the dark hall, breathing and softening, touching our creative hearts and the deep well of joy within. Then we strolled back in the moonlight to the dining room to find it lit by a hundred candles, flickering like fairyland.

Then, after the generator was started, came the real fun of readings nights with so many powerful stories shared, a play reading acted out and best of all a singalong, led by our youngest retreater, Eloise ,who’d brought along her guitar and cheeky grin. The fire and the songs kept us warm, and I was filled with happiness as I looked around at the group all singing and smiling. Ah. A very special retreat moment. Luckily the power was restored just in time for our electric blankets to make our beds cosy as we fell asleep in the silence of the forest.

On Sunday after a special movement session by Monique and our publishing pathways workshop, we finished with our traditional collages. Here’s our kindy photos holding up our finished pieces.

Here’s what some retreaters had to say about their retreat:

The relax and Write Retreat really got me back on track ready to complete my story. Making connections with other writers was terrific. So many laughs. Edwina is a great workshop host, with time for each participant.

Robyn Ede

Beginner or seasoned writer, there is something special about sharing time with like-minded people with a passion for writing. The location is amazing, the food superb and the take-away knowledge gained is unsurpassed.

Beverley Young

What a magical weekend – waking to the sound of whipbirds, doing yoga, eating delicious nutritious food, talking to other writers and above all having focused time on a creative project. Absolutely fantastic writing retreat.

Fiona Robertson

Edwina’s Relax and Write Retreat are an absolute gift. They provide space – [physical and mental – to explore our stories while teaching practical information on the structural demands of storytelling. The yoga sessions with Edwina and Monique were deeply restorative, restful and energising. The atmosphere was celebratory, welcoming, thoughtful, open and, a lot of the time, incredibly moving and inspirational. Highly recommend.

Carrolyn Stuart

This was such a wonderful supportive and safe environment for emerging writers to share their work and get honest ,constructive and extremely useful feedback. Thank you, Edwina and your beautiful helpers.

Jeanelle Sutton-Yeomans

If you’d like to come along and join the fun next time, bookings are now open for our Memoir/Life Writing Retreat April 10 – 12, 2026. BOOK HERE. 

We’ll be back for another feedback retreat in August 2026. If you’re keen on that, just drop me a line and I’ll book you in!

And if a weekend isn’t long enough, then join me and the wonderful and talented, Kerstin Pilz, next June in Bali in 2026 for our weeklong Blissful Bali Transformational Writing Retreat. With Byron Bay following up in September 19 – 24, 2026 for a very special writing for healing retreat.

Thank you to my treasured retreataholics  – and a big warm welcome home to Jill our powerhouse helper, for making these local retreats feel like a happy family gathering, and my undying gratitude to chief cookie Gay Liddington whose compelling and powerful memoir is for sale here on my website  – check it out!

Most of all a huge thank you to the wonderful people who come along on these retreats. I am so very grateful for your loving kindness to me, and to each other. I’m astounded by the wealth of talent on show at every retreat and for the joy we find in community with each other.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; it’s the people who come to these retreats that make them so special. Love you guys!

Lots of love to you too,

Edwina xx

Memoir Magic in the Mountains! April 2025 Writing Retreat Rundown

/ Edwina Shaw / Leave a comment

Our happy campers this retreat 🙂

This retreat was something special. As I drove up the winding road deep into the forest on my way to set up, I felt a surge of joy arising. I had some familiar writing friends returning (retreataholics strike again!) but a whole lot of people I’d never even met before. So why this rush of happiness?

The pouring rain stopped as soon as participants started to arrive. Everything was blazing green and pumping with life and as writer after writer arrived, grins stretching from ear to ear, the feeling of joy within me grew. How lucky I am to be bringing such collections of wise folk together. 

We began as usual with our meet and greet, getting to know one another and the projects we’re working on. My darling chief cookie, Gay, had just received the proof copy of her memoir in the final stages before publication. Others had published before or had films successfully produced, but we also had a number of new writers keen to try out their writing legs for the first time. 

With writers from their twenties to their seventies we had a wealth of enthusiasm, energy, imagination and wisdom to draw from. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – these retreats are only as good as the people who come along, and this bunch was special. From a memoir about traveling to spiritual portals around the world, to sexual healing, to a film treatment about coming out as non-binary, to stories of grandmothers and fathers, and the damage that was done and the victories won and the paths less travelled. We had it all.

But most of all we had a special connection as a group, a warmth and understanding, a willingness to share and to listen. To let go of the world outside and sink deeply into the quiet of Kombumerri Country. 

Everyone was keen to get involved and try everything, with the biggest turn out for yoga ever! Even on Sunday for Monique’s special movement session for writers. We are so lucky to have Moniques vast knowledge of the body with us on retreats, not only for this session but for her expert bodywork treatments that leave people floating around in a happy daze for hours.

Gay created special meals filled with her loving care and nurturing, every special need catered for, every sweet-toothed craving fulfilled. My food highlight was definitely her apple crumble and custard. Or the roasted veggie salad, or the Anzac biscuits. You’re only on retreat once in a while!

Workshops were filled with laughter and questions and writing and sharing and learning and epiphanies, both for our stories and for our own healing. This is the real magic. And the greatest joy for me. When I know someone will return to their lives changed, having decided to get off the rat wheel of the crazy busyness and find time to just be. To create. To rest. To heal and live fully. That my friend is magic.

Writing may not make us rich (or it might do that too) but it sure as hell enriches our lives deeply.

Retreaters took walks down to the spring-water stream and our very own waterfall lookout, sat in the sun and read, or found places to write or stare into space and think, or watch the resident pademelons – now named – Paddy, Melon and Little Toot (that’s the pouch joey) bounce happily around despite us.

The weekend flew by until suddenly it was collage time and dreams took shape in images on the page. Hugs all round and it was time to go. But I hope I’ll see this bunch again. In such a short time we became our own mob of magic makers, writing our stories, rewriting our lives, reaching for our dreams. I miss them already.

Here’s what some retreaters had to say about their weekend.

I received so much more valuable information, inspiration, confirmation and support than I could have ever imagined. So very helpful for me as I start my writing journey. 

Sivani Maclean

Thank you so much Edwina and team for creating this beautiful atmosphere in a beautiful, natural setting. I learned a lot and enjoyed the joyful and heartfelt connection.

Hana Morris

Congratulations on a well-organised and well-run retreat. This was constantly reflected on the faces of participants who clearly enjoyed themselves and were stimulated to write and improve.

Gail Thwaite

Edwina is a great teacher and has a very friendly approachable persona with a great knowledge as a writer. Worth doing!

Marie Hayes

Coming on a Relax and Write Retreat is a true getaway, a retreat from normal life and an opportunity to broaden our perspective in the company of kindred spirits, all with stories to tell. A loving welcoming space to connect, to learn, to create.

Retreat participant

Our next Relax and Write Retreat is the Feedback and Revision Retreat AUGUST 8 – 10 2025. 

This retreat is best for those with a bit of writing under those belts, either approaching a second draft and looking for help self-editing or for those planning a full-length work. At this retreat workshops focus heavily on structure with a special session on pitching to publishers and agents. We also provide optional feedback groups to help people connect and get advice on their work. For more info see HERE. Or drop me a line for the flyer.

With big thanks and lots of love to the wonderful writers who made this retreat so special. It’s true you know, we always do have a wonderful time!

Lots of love

Edwina xx