writing for healing

Our fabulous writing gang at the first ever Just Write Retreat, Springbrook April 4- 8 2024

Well this retreat had it all, pouring rain, pademelons, bursts of spectacular sunshine, bush walks, new friends, writing buddies, glowing fires and our new cosy “Gay’s Corner” for writing chats, feedback, workshops, ritual burnings in the sacrificial salad bowl, tarot readings, Persian love cakes, 4 am arrivals, leeches (YUCK!), fun and laughter and lots and lots of writing. Just watch them go!

“A beautiful environment to share and inspire creativity and story.” Retreater Just Write April 2024

Repeat Retreaters far outnumbered newbies this time but by the end of the retreat it felt as if we’d all been friends since preschool. A new term has been coined, RETREATAHOLICS, for those who just can’t get enough of these special events bringing women writers together to be inspired and get their dream projects happening. We had impressive word counts rising higher ever day, complete newbies working their way through writing exercises at the rate of knots, more experienced writers sharing work and getting back on track with their labours of love, new ideas hatching, tarot readings, rituals to help free us from all we wanted to leave behind and collages to help usher in all the good stuff.

“A perfect opportunity to meet writing buddies to share and learn with in future. Practical tools enabled me to focus on specific writing goals and pursue my writing project. As well as food for the writing soul there were delicious wholesome home-cooked meals, and meditation and yoga which opened up spaces for writing.” Annie Kemp Retreater Just Write April 2024

Four nights and five days of writing time in a glorious location, most of it raining, which as we know is perfect weather for writers and ducks. When the sun shone we were outside quick smart, sitting in the glorious gardens and exploring the protected forest and our nearby stream and 100 metre waterfall. The water was up, and before everyone arrived I snuck in a fabulous swim! So refreshing – cold water can work miracles!

We feasted on, Chief Cookie and almost published author, Gay Liddington’s delicious homemade meals, with Annie’s scrumptious Persian Love Cake a special treat, and the vegetarian nachos and stuffed zucchinis making everyone’s favourites list. Gay makes everything from scratch and is the wicked Mummy in the kitchen taking care of us all and stuffing us to the gills. Coconut and almond cake? Macadamia Anzac cookies? Homemade baked beans and cheesy corn muffins? Walnut and veggie curry? Sound yummy? We’re going to have to do a new version of the retreat cookbook soon!

“How wonderful to be able to sit and write without the drama of preparing meals and cleaning up afterwards. The atmosphere was calm and nurturing and inspiring. All the women have a chance to read their work, showing parts of themselves. The tarot reading and massage were the cherry on top of a fabulous retreat” Sally Mansfield Retreater Just Write April 2024

The fire was glowing in the hall as writers typed or scribbled in notebooks, and our daily Q & A sessions with the brain trust provided lots of information and fuel for thought. With two lawyers in our troupe we had a very interesting discussion on ethics for memoirists. Every evening we had readings from whoever wanted to have a turn, discovering new and intriguing voices and stories. So proud of everyone for having a turn, it takes a lot of courage to share your work in progress, especially for newbies.

Artwork and words by Marie Seeman, First Time Retreater Just Write April 2024

As always, it is the women who come along to these retreats that make them so special. Women together nurture and support each other and I am so grateful for the lovely people who supported and looked after me as well as others in the group. Just love you girls! Some kind of magic is at work when we all come together. I love watching new writing friendships form, the sudden epiphanies that make a writing problem miraculously easy to solve, the new ideas that spring from random conversations and the total relaxation that sinks writers deep into their chairs to gaze into the distance.

“This retreat has made so much difference to me physically and mentally.” Retreater Just Write April 2024

A wonderful feature of these local retreats are the unique body-work treatments offered by Monique De Goey. Retreaters emerge from the massage room, hair askew, eyes slightly crossed, looking like they could happily float away on a rainbow cloud. Monique’s body wisdom is unbeatable and we were super lucky that she also ran a couple of movement sessions for us focusing on releasing our necks and shoulders. If you’re in need of a good untangling of your neck and shoulders or any other bits BOOK A SESSION WITH MONIQUE.

WHAT’S NEXT?
In July I’m off to Bali for our Blissful Bali retreat 10 – 17 July, (wait list for Bali 2025 filling – bags a spot HERE) but then in August I’m back in Queensland for the next RELAX AND WRITE FEEDBACK AND REVISION RETREAT, SPRINGBROOK 9 – 11 2024. This retreat features workshops focusing on self-editing, redrafting, refining your prose and preparing pitch materials like your synopsis and bio. Sound like something that would work for you?

“These retreats are warm (though maybe not literally) and inviting and your creative energy will flow. A must-attend for any writer, aspiring or otherwise. You’l leave with a sense of reinvigoration and accomplishment.” KIMBERLEY COLLESS Retreater Just Write April 2024

If you’re almost at the end of your first draft, or if you’d like a deadline for your next draft, use this retreat to spur you on to write THE END, then come along and learn how to tackle draft two, and perhaps even share your work with other writers, or get professional feedback from yours truly. ALL THE INFO HERE. Still some places available but watch out! Retreataholics are likely to fill spaces fast. They’re taking over the world! BOOK HERE – Don’t miss out!

These retreats are dear to my heart. They have been such a blessing in my life and I’ve made so many wonderful friends through them. I may not have a best selling book yet, but my heart is full with the love of my fellow writing women and the stories that they write, turning pain into something beautiful. I’m so very proud of you all!

“Edwina’s retreats always nourish my creativity and I come away feeling inspired and motivated with new ideas for my current projects.” Barb Hunt Retreater Just Write 2024

Come along on a retreat and join our wonderful tribe of writing women. It could very well change your life. They’ve sure changed mine!

Lots of love

Edwina xx

“Edwina certainly knows how to bring together a dynamic writers’ retreat. The combination of subject matter, breathing techniques, tarot readings, spiritual practices and a great environment all contribute to a great place to learn, to feel safe and to grow our skills.” Vicki Bennett Retreater Just Write 2024

Got my swim in! 🙂

Due to popular demand, we are now offering a FOUR NIGHT, FIVE DAY retreat high in the Gold Coast Hinterland at the beautiful and quite magical Theosophical Society Education and Retreat Centre in Springbrook from Thursday 4^th April until Monday 8^th April 2024.

For days now the old Dragon song (vale Marc Hunter) “Take me to the April Sun in Cuba” has been playing non-stop in my head, with a few words changed to take us all to the April Retreat in Springbrook! Who wants to come?! Me! (Dragon will not be joining us!)

Are you desperate for some time out from real life to focus on your writing? Whether you’re just getting started or working on book ten, this retreat is all about YOU and YOUR WRITING PROJECT. Time for you to write. Time for you to relax and just think. Time to daydream, lie on a blanket in the sun and gaze up into the tall trees imagining the next steps of your book, or your life.

Sound like just what the doctor ordered? I know I’m really looking forward to some time out from all the madness and frantic busyness, to focus solely on my new book (just finished the first draft :)). Even better, doing so in a group of women writers all doing the same thing!

I left the Retreat with inspiration for my writing, as well as goals with a clear and achievable action plan. And the best part is I now have the support of 16 new writing buddies!

COURTNEY MASTERS – retreat participant

This retreat is all about WRITING TIME.

We have an initial workshop to help clarify goals for the retreat, making realistic plans about what we’d like to achieve, connecting with others and figuring out which method works best for you. During the days we’ll run a supervised writing room with timed “Pomodoro” style sessions, writing in twenty-minute bursts, followed by five minutes to rest, chat and grab a cup of tea or coffee and some of Gay’s delicious home-baked treats (GF options always available). Or, if you’re a solo writer like me, then every room has its own desk, or you can find a spot in the beautiful gardens and rest your back against one of the giant gums or wander off to the waterfall and write in blissful solitude in nature.

Edwina Shaw’s Writers Retreat at Springbrook was sensational. Working with other experienced writers and learning new ways of doing things as well as new ways to think, is always mind expanding. Then there were the deep dive conversations with other writers and the sacred walk to the waterfall. It was an extraordinary way to learn and grow.

VICKI BENNETT – repeat retreater

We’ll have Q & A sessions after lunch every day where you can ask as many craft-related questions as you like, and every evening we’ll have guided deep breathing and relaxation to help our busy writers’ minds to slow down and relax. After a delicious dinner you’ll have the chance to share your writing with the group. We’ll finish off the retreat with a final workshop, checking on progress and plotting our way forward, setting goals and making plans for our projects, and ourselves, moving forward.

To be held in a space of such love and respect, through both solitude and interacting with other amazing women, was a real blessing. I found Edwina to be enlightening, welcoming and an amazing source of inspiration and knowledge regarding all aspects of writing, including publishing. I came away knowing that I truly have potential and feeling very excited about my writing journey. I want to share my gift with the world, and now I feel like I can. Wow.

KYLIE DEAN – retreat participant

These retreats do more than just get you writing, they provide much needed time out from the world to reassess what you want from your life and nurture your creative self, so that by the time you return to the big smoke, you’ll be feeling refreshed, renewed and ready to shine!

Come along and you will be treated to a memorable, supportive and nurturing space with laughter and creativity aplenty. These retreats offer the perfect balance of relaxing and writing. From the collective energies of the group as a whole to the care-filled little touches that Ed brings, your inner-goddess and writing muse will thank you! A warning though… once you’ve gone on one, you’ll want to come back again and again! Spoken by a true repeat retreater!

BIANCA MILLROY – repeat retreater

PRICE INCLUDES:

4 nights comfortable single accommodation with bathrooms shared between two.

ALL MEALS – healthy homemade organic vegetarian meals, breakfasts, lunches and dinners, plus morning and afternoon teas. (All sensitivities catered for on request)

2 Writing workshops

3 Guided breathing and deep relaxation sessions

4 Q & A sessions

A supervised Pomodoro room to keep you on track,

As much solitary writing time as you like!

Plus: a chance to share your stories on readings nights.

Transport not included.

I have been inspired to work on my writing but also to work on my health. Not only am I motivated but I made so many new friends.

PEG MACLEOD – retreat participant

COST for this special ALL INCLUSIVE 4 NIGHT RETREAT of writing, fun and feasting?

Pay your deposit by February 15 for EARLY BIRD PRICES

UNWAGED/ CONCESSION:

EARLY BIRD $750, Normal $790

WAGED: EARLY BIRD $850, Normal $900

All inclusive!

PAY YOUR DEPOSIT HERE

OR by Direct Deposit PREFERED: CONTACT EDWINA FOR AVAILABILITY AND BANK DETAILS.

If you have more dash than cash but would still LOVE to come, just email Edwina and we’ll work it out.

ALTERNATIVE EXTRAS ALSO AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST:

One on one sessions with Edwina to give direction or advice on your project.

Body work treatments with the deeply knowledgeable and gifted healer, Monique DeGoey of Reconnect BodyWork.

If you’ve been promising yourself some time out for your writing and would love to connect with like-minded writing women in a stunningly beautiful location, far from the madding crowds, then this is the retreat for you!

Come along and be nurtured and supported by a kind and gentle group of women and leave all your worries behind as you immerse yourself in the beautiful natural environment, lovingly cared for by the Yugambeh people for millennia.

GET ALL THE INFO HERE

If you’re looking for more workshops to guide your writing and to get your head around aspects of teh writing craft, then check out all the other retreats available in 2024! Really looking to escape? Join me and my dear friend, the wise and witty Kerstin Pilz author of Loving my Lying Dying Cheating Husband, in Bali for our Relax and Write Your Journey BLISSFUL BALI RETREAT July 11 – 17 2024.