From time to time I get e-mails from folks who've got special programs for writers, and when I think it's a good fit I'll post information on this here blog. Those of you who've ever been to the Colorado Rockies know how beautiful they are. If you're a writer and a nature lover, then check out the opportunity below.
Before you do that, though, let me say here that Art Taylor interviewed me on the topic of literary translation over at his blog Art & Literature. If you're interested, hop on over.
If you just want to learn about this retreat opportunity, read on.
Writing the Rockies
Wednesday, July 8 to Sunday, July 12, 2009
Instructors:
June Naylor, Travel and Food Journalist - from Fort Worth, Texas
Jill Brown – founder of "The Duchess Guide, from Los Angeles, California; www.theduchessguide.com
Jill also writes a weekly column in www.singlemindedwoman.com.
Barbara Albright – see “About Us” page on this site.
June Naylor – June is a regular contributor to Texas Highways magazine, and awared-winning author of several books and currently serves on the board of directors for the Society of American Travel Writers. She will be your instructor for 2 full days at this conference/retreat. See her bio here.
Jill Brown, The Duchess Guide, based in Los Angeles, will speak to the group about blogging as a format for writing, journaling, and recording your travels, inserting photos and video clips to bring your writing to life. Bring your lap-tops for hands on exploration.
Barbara Albright, one of the founders of Rocky Mountain Retreats, will teach a class on the art of travel writing that crosses over into sketching, ephemera, photos, etc. Art elements will be mixed into the curriculum as an exploration of how art can enhance your travel writing.
You will be writing both indoors and outside.
Wednesday, July 8
Dinner and speaker.
Thursday, July 9
Wake up to a hearty, healthy breakfast prepared for you in the Mozaic dining room. Attend an optional meditation class to feel centered and invoke your muse or take an invigorating walk along the Santa Fe trail just steps from the Inn. This easy trail leads to the shores of Palmer Lake or you can point yourself in the opposite direction and follow the trail as it meanders the same route as the RR tracks with awesome vistas along the way.
Class will start at 9:30 a.m. in the Sundance Room, a cozy space with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains, Pikes Peak, and rolling hills. You’ll gather with the intimate group of fellow writers to be instructed in some genres that might surprise you. Classes today will include blog writing about your travels and art and life, with some awesome new methods and sites to explore and enrich, and an afternoon class on the art of travel writing with a sketchbook, to include writing, doodling, ephemera, photos, sketching, etc. You can step outside the Sundance Room to a sweeping 2nd floor patio/deck where you can also write and sketch, dabble, and obtain individual instruction/help.
We’ll take a lunch break together, driving a very short distance into the historic town of Monument for an outdoor meal on the lush garden patio at the Wisdom Tea House, www.wisdomteahouse.com.
Dinner tonight will be up the road from the Inn at one of our very favorite local spots - Bella Panini – where we will casually dine on excellent Italian fare.
Friday, July 10
The earlier morning hours will be filled with whatever you desire, sleeping late in the overstuffed beds at the Inn, meditation classes, a walk on the trail, reading, journaling, etc. Your breakfast will again be prepared fresh and amazingly by the chefs at the Mozaic Restaurant in the Inn.
Friday, we’ll meet again at 9:30 in the Sundance Room, where June Naylor, Travel and Food Writer, extraordinaire (!!) will begin her 2-day instruction on travel writing. Visit her web-site:
June will begin with you this morning, introducing herself and her work and perhaps her process with travel writing. (When offered a flight up here to Colorado from her home in Texas, she declined, preferring instead to drive. This gave us a little hint about her constant eye toward recording her travels, you know, the journey is more important than the destination kind of thing….? )
Some time will be structured for you to work in pairs in brainstorming ideas and participants can send June writing samples ahead of time if and only if, you’d like some one-on-one feedback time. Each participant will also write something to read to the whole group, allowing them to discuss with their peers what they’ve created.
We’ll explore imagery and talk about when the first-person voice works better than the third-person voice.
There are 3 or 4 cafes we can suggest in Palmer Lake or Monument for your lunch, or you can stay right where you are and lunch at the Mozaic restaurant.
Friday night’s dinner is open as well. You can go with the group to a local Mexican restaurant, or dine on your own.
Saturday, July 11
After breakfast and whatever optional ways you start your day, we’ll meet at 9:30 in the lobby of the Inn and head outdoors to write today where June will continue to pass on to you what has been fashioned out of her life as a writer. Writing time will move from individual to group or pairs, listening to others and sharing your writing. June will be spending time with you individually if you’ve opted to send her some writing before this retreat. Class time will offer challenge and delight.
Saturday evening we’ll meet together for dinner and, as always at our retreats, we will close with some show and tell time. This time together is always fabulous and the sharing elevates us all. We are reminded that we are all unique and yet really, we are all so very much the same. It’s a joyful experience!
Sunday, July 12
This is the morning the retreat experience ends, at least here. Some of you will be leaving for home after breakfast and making your travel connections. If you will be staying in the area for a while, be sure to see our Useful Links page or ask any of us about the many things to do while in Colorado. But all of you will be creatively charged and enriched for having been here. Know that we see you all as beautifully expressive gems and a privilege to travel these creative journeys with you!
Price:
$1025 – double occupancy - in spacious, 2 Queen sized bed room w/2 vanity areas
$1350 – single occupancy
$260 – classes only
$385 – classes, Wednesday night welcome, dinner & lecture and Saturday night dinner.
$20 - optional morning meditation classes
Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday night meals are included.
A full, fresh breakfast is included every morning with your stay at the Inn.
For more info:
rockymountainretreats.com
info@rockymountainretreats.com
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