writing retreat for women

Is your creative spirit crying out for a little TLC? Always wanted to write but don’t know where to start? Need to reboot your writing mojo and be inspired to tackle that project you’ve been thinking about forever? Feeling trapped? Unable to find any time for yourself, let alone your writing?

Rescue is at hand!

Come along and regain your love of writing and life at the next Relax and Write Retreat

From midday FRIDAY 18 October – 4 pm SUNDAY 20 October 2024

Join like-minded women in a fun and supportive environment discovering just how much some deep relaxation can ignite your imagination and get you writing again.

Relax and unwind with gentle morning yoga sessions and be inspired by innovative workshops to help move those stories out of your head and onto the page. Your voice is valid. You deserve to be heard.

“I feel transformed, as a writer and as a human being.”

Bianca Millroy – writer and retreater

The program includes two yoga sessions, four workshops to get you writing, plus advice on submitting your work. Two nights comfortable but basic single accommodation with bathrooms shared between two women, plus delicious vegetarian meals, snacks and a special readings night around the fire are all included.

“The fully-catered retreat environment was comfortable and stress-free. An atmosphere that encourages, motivates and inspires.” Gay Liddington – writer and retreater

Connect with other creative women in a beautiful, peaceful location high above the world in the heritage rainforest of Springbrook at the magical Theosophical Society Retreat Centre. Gaze out over an untouched wilderness and dip your toes in the pristine creek. Rest in nature and remember your creative self and how to play.

No more putting your dreams on hold. Treat yourself to this special weekend nurturing your writing spirit. We always have a wonderful time!

This is my eighth year running these retreats, and I am still amazed and heartened by the beautiful and talented women who make these retreats so special.

RETREAT PROGRAM All activities are optional

FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER 2024

ARRIVAL from midday – set up and do your own writing, take a walk or grab a massage

4 pm – Meet and Greet

4:30 – 6:30 WORKSHOP 1– Your Stories

6:30 DINNER

SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER

7:15 am – 8:30 – Gentle morning yoga and breathing

8:30 – BREAKFAST

10:00 am – 12:30 pm – WORKSHOP 2 – Character and Dialogue

12.30 pm – LUNCH

1 – 4:00 – FREETIME and FEEDBACK SESSIONS

4 – 6:00 pm – WORKSHOP 3 – Writing from start to finish – developing a plot and a plan

6:00 pm – DINNER

6:45 – 8:00 pm – Readings around the fire

SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER

7:15 – 8:30 – Gentle morning yoga and breathing

8:30 – BREAKFAST

10:00 – 12:30 – WORKSHOP 4 – Where and how to submit work, goal setting, questions and collage

12:30 – LUNCH

3 pm DEPARTURES

Editorial feedback sessions with Edwina are available on request ($75 extra) for those needing advice on a project. Massages will also be available at extra cost – oh but they are heavenly!

READ MORE REVIEWS HERE

COST for the weekend of writing, fun and feasting, including comfortable single accommodation, with bathrooms shared between 2, all meals, 2 yoga sessions, 4 creative writing workshops and a readings night. Transport not included.

Pay your deposit by August 31 for EARLY BIRD PRICES

UNWAGED: EARLY BIRD $550, Normal $600

WAGED: EARLY BIRD $700, Normal $750

All inclusive! For single accommodation and all retreat activities and meals.

PAY YOUR DEPOSIT HERE

Or contact Edwina for more info and to check that spaces are still available.

Renew your creative spirit and rest awhile in nature.

Hope you can come!

Lots of love

Edwina xx

Learn more about Edwina HERE

The view from our spectacular private lookout in Springbrook

Have you made it all the way to the end of your first draft? Most of the way? Or at least a bit, but then you got stuck? Need some help and motivation to move onto the next stage of writing? Do you like a deadline? Make this retreat the deadline for your first draft! Need to prepare pitch documents and figure out how, and where, to submit your work?

This retreat is for you!

This special retreat is for those with a bit of writing under their belts, looking for some advice and information on self-editing and structure. Get ready for your second draft!

Workshops are focused on:

Finding the themes and key messages of our stories and honing in on those in the manuscripts,
STRUCTURE – working out a structure that will support and enhance your plot and make it a compelling read.
Fixing your sentences. Get your head around the nitty-gritty of sentences and learn ways to clean up your prose to make it strong and vigorous.
Pitch to agents or publishers and learn how to write that dreaded synopsis.

Connect with other writers at a similar level and get useful advice and feedback on your work in progress in small feedback groups, or pay a little more for written feedback from Edwina and an individual session to talk through any issues you’re facing.

All in beautiful Springbrook in the Gold Coast hinterland with plenty of room to spread out and lie in the grass to write, or prop yourself up against a giant tree, or hole up in your room all weekend and just write your heart out without distraction. Ask questions and get all the answers you need from Edwina and the braintrust of attending writers. Have fun and relax. Stretch out with yoga every morning and let go of all your worries with deep breathing and relaxation techniques in the evening.

Explore the beautiful grounds, take long walks at the nearby National Parks, or wander down to our lookout and waterfall and rock hop your way to solitude in nature. Let the birdsong and rustle of leaves soothe you as you write and rewrite, then come sit by the fire and talk through any challenges with your project with other writers as you feast on Gay’s delicious home cooked meals and treats.

A weekend out of time, just for you and your story. You’ve been working hard on your book. Treat yourself to this weekend of connection and information, to help elevate your story and prepare it for publication.

THIS RETREAT IS ALL INCLUSIVE

All meals, workshops and accomodation in comfortable but basic single rooms with a desk and electric blankets for those cold winter nights are included, all for only $500 (early bird unwaged) or $650 (early bird – employed).

EARLY BIRD PRICES CLOSE 30 June 2024. BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW to avoid disappointment, places are already filling.

Check that spaces are available with Edwina first, then PAY YOUR $200 DEPOSIT before 30 June to secure early bird prices.

Any questions or to get the flyer, contact Edwina.

Come and join the fun and joy of connecting with other like-minded writing women. Make this August your time to have your first draft finished and reward yourself with this uplifting, informative and inspiring retreat!

Hope you can come!

Lots of love

Edwina xx