yoga and writing retreat for women and non-binary

Our happy campers from the August Feedback and Revision Retreat 2024

What a treat to meet so many talented and inspiring writers and to help them tackle the dreaded second draft with some useful tools! With writers from their twenties to almost eighty we had libraries worth of shared wisdom to delve into to help each other make our projects the very best they can be.

We honed in on the themes and worked on scene lists to help us see more clearly the structural issues that needed to be addressed, before looking at cleaning up our prose and then learning about how to write a pitch and a synopsis. Lots of brainwork this retreat, with writers sharing their work in small feedback groups and/or receiving individual feedback with me, to help get those first few pages shining like beacons to potential publishers.

Look at that concentration!

But it wasn’t all hard work. We had yoga and breathing to relax and restore our bodies and minds, beautiful surroundings for walks and adventures, and of course, thanks to the Wonder Woman that is Gay Liddington lots of delicious nurturing food to keep our bellies full and our spirits happy. Gay’s own memoir Will I Ever Be Who I Am is being released early in 2025 – watch this space. Not just the best cook in the world, also a talented writer, brave advocate and healer through story. Food magician!

Plus our lovely special helpers, Liana and Natasha who did all the hard work of cleaning up. THANK YOU!

With our tummies and minds full, we were glad of the lovely, if cool, weather to take walks around the stunning location and refresh ourselves with the beauty of nature, listen to the birds and the sound of running water, leaves rustling in the wind, making friends with the little yellow robins hopping around the cabins and pademelons that bounded away when we got too close.

TESTIMONIALS
Here’s what retreaters had to say about their weekend of writing, yoga, feasting and friends.

‘A once in a lifetime retreat that won’t be my last!’ Selena Wallace August 2024

‘A very well organised retreat, beautiful peaceful surroundings and nurturing food. The writing sessions were informative, practical, relevant to writers of all stages and ages. Thank you for a fabulous weekend.’ Alina Hughes August 2024

‘I would encourage all those interested in writing, reading and a truly unique experience to come to a Relax and Write Retreat.’ Indrani Ganguly August 2024

‘A peaceful, beautiful place to connect with others and reconnect with yourself and to inspire better writing, but also to gain confidence moving forward. Beautiful location, excellent food and most of all, a truly inspiring group of women.’ Isabel Coe August 2024

‘This retreat was a wonderful opportunity to focus on my writing project in a relaxed supportive environment with like-minded women. Thanks Edwina for sharing your expertise and knowledge in such an open-hearted way.’ Jen Barrkman August 2024

‘The food was perfect! Nutritious, tasty, interesting and nurturing.’ Alina Hughes August 2024

The most magical part of these retreats is the connections made between writing friends who help and support each other to bring their creative babies to full and beautiful fruition in the world. Hooray for new writing buddies I say! THANK YOU to all the wonderful, wise, inspiring and creative women who make these retreats such a joy for me and Gay.

We work hard to make these retreats a nurturing and uplifting experience for all who attend but ultimately it is the open hearts, kindness and generosity of those who come along that create the magic we all enjoy. THANK YOU new friends! And old ones too 🙂

As is traditional, we finished our weekend full of words with some images, creating collages to open our eyes to the goodness coming our way.

UPCOMING RETREATS

Are you ready for a retreat?

Our next Springbrook Weekend Intensive is the Memoir and Life Writing Retreat 18 – 20 October. This retreat is perfect for those working on stories based on life and for new writers wanting to get started and finally get some stories out of their heads and onto the page. All the info HERE. Still a few places left but CONTACT EDWINA to make sure there is a place for you before booking.

And keep an eye on my UPCOMING RETREATS PAGE for retreats in 2025, including:

February 10 – 16 – Heavenly Hoi An – Vietnam Transformational Writing Retreat

April 4 – 6 SPRINGBROOK – Memoir and Life Writing Retreat

June 23 – 29 Blissful Bali – Bali Transformational Writing Retreat

August 8 – 10 SPRINGBROOK – Feedback and Revision Retreat

October 10 – 17 Incredible Italy – Italy Transformational Writing Retreat

November 7 – 12 Beautiful Byron Bay – Writing for Wellness Transformational Writing Retreat – info coming soon!

Want to know more? Just drop me a line!

We always have a wonderful time. I feel so lucky to get to run these retreats where I meet the very best kind of people — writers, dreamers, creators! THANK YOU!

Lots of love

Edwina xx

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!