SUNSHINE SMILES ON SPRINGBROOK

August 18, 2023 / Edwina Shaw / Leave a comment

Yes! We’ve been holding retreats in the misty mountain rainforest of Springbrook for several years now, and it’s always been cloudy, if not pelting down rain. But this time for our latest retreat, the sun shone bright and beautiful for our whole weekend for the annual FEEDBACK AND REVISION SECOND DRAFT RETREAT– a special blessing!

How wonderful it was to see new writing buddies clustering together on blankets out in the sun, writers propped up against tree trunks scribbling in journals, others basking on rugs dozing and daydreaming of their stories.

We started early on Friday for this retreat, with more time for solo writing in the afternoon before our welcome and first workshop where we drilled down into the heart of our stories and worked on our story premises and the all-important central quest or question. A delicious home cooked dinner, provided by our unstoppable Chief Cookie and talented writer Gay Liddington, filled our bellies, followed by fireside chats and early to bed. The mountain was chilly once the sun went down but we were cosy and warm with our electric blankets.

Saturday on these weekend retreats is always busy, packed full of workshops, individual and group feedback sessions and yoga. Early birds started with yoga to calm and centre ourselves and prepare for creative outpourings. The workshop focused on structure and how to create narrative drive, because if we can’t keep readers turning pages, we’re not doing our job as writers. We brainstormed ideas as a group and in smaller feedback buddy gangs and learnt about how to use sequences to break the huge jigsaw puzzle of full length MSs into smaller more manageable sections.

After Gay’s amazing Cauliflower Bake for lunch, we had excursions to the waterfall lookout, individual feedback sessions and feedback groups, and miraculous and deeply healing bodywork treatments by Monique De Goey who sorted us all out and tended to problem areas.

In the evening, we wound down and got out of our busy heads with some yoga breathing exercises – pranayama – that had us all floating over to the hall for dinner. Indian feasting was in order, followed by chocolate brownies for dessert, readings around the fire and for the night owls a bonfire with ghost stories that had them all planning to sleep in the same room! Sausages!!

Sunday started with yoga, with guest teacher Monique showing us ways to release tension through our shoulders and arms – much needed for those of us typing away all day, every day. Sunday’s workshop covered Publishing Pathways, writing a synopsis and a pitch, goal setting and my favourite – collage! My phone battery died on camp so I don’t have the traditional collage photos, but we have lots of laughing group shots instead.

I love hosting these retreats. I am always reminded that it’s the process not the product that’s most important. Repeat retreater and talented prose writer, Liana Brown, wrote her first poem, which flicked the switch in my head from despairing over a recent rejection to relishing the joy of being a writer, a creative artist surrounded by and assisting other artists, to create our best work and live our best lives. Here’s Liana’s poem. I hope it inspires you too.

Liana hard at work writing!

UNFINISHED

By Liana Brown

I am a work of art, only unfinished.

I am a block of marble at which to chip way

I am the dawn, noon, and dusk of another day

I am spinning on a potter’s wheel, a curvaceous vase of clay

And you may look upon me, a work in progress, and say:

‘Who do you think you are?’

And I will reply:

I am a work of art, only

Unfinished

I am a sonnet, an aria, a love story untold

I am the red pen, strikethrough, italics and bold

I am a hit Broadway play without a ticket yet sold

And you may hear me, a 27^th draft, and scold:

‘Who do you think you are?’

And I will reply:

I am a work of love, only

Unfinished

I am a canvas on which paint will never dry

I am a one-woman tango where I will stumble on every try

I am a plane out of gas writing in the sky

And you may roll your eyes, and ask why I even try

And I’ll reply:

I am unfinished.

Finished, never will I be.

And for all of us unfinished

The beauty is that we are free

Free to crack the marble, warp the clay

Free to fail, to learn, to go on day after day

Free to toil, to our hearts’ content

Until our writing is backwards and paintbrushes are bent

Because I am exactly what I want to be:

I am unfinished.

Beautifully, magically, ravenousl-.

We are writers, published or not. It is the act of writing that makes us so. Our desire to examine life and the human condition more closely and make sense of it all through words. Our capacity to create beauty from even the greatest pain is what makes us all artists/writers, finished or not!

The memoir retreat is in Springbrook again – Come on Sunshine! – October 20 -22. It is almost totally full but if you’re super keen drop me a line and pay your deposit ASAP to take the very last spot.

Gay and other retreaters reminded me that these retreats are much more than just “writing retreats”. They are holistic, restorative retreats for writers, a place where your writing is important but nurturing you as a person is equally so.

Are you ready to reboot your writing and your whole life? Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Join the talented Kerstin Pilz and me in VIETNAM in February (cool season in Vietnam) for a week-long rejuvenation of your writing and your creative soul. From February 2 – 7 in beautiful Hoi An, a pretty, historical, seaside town, far from the madding crowds of the major centres, Kerstin and I will be hosting a small group retreat with yoga every morning, workshops covering all aspects of writing, whether memoir or fiction, providing feedback, winding down with pranayama, leading excursions down the river to the markets, divining the future with tarot, cooking up a Vietnamese storm with cooking classes, reading, relaxing and exploring. COME AND JOIN US! Your creative spirit deserves this special treat.

Not only that, plans are underway for a small group to travel together after retreat. So if you’ve always wanted to see Vietnam but didn’t want to go on your own, then join us for the inspiration and nurturing of retreat then join our group of participants traveling onwards in company. Sound like the answer to your prayers? It is!! Check out all the info HERE and book in soon. Early bird prices end in September.

Kerstin and I are the perfect team, and you’ll benefit from two experienced, published authors, fun facilitators and insightful yoga teachers. Don’t wait too long, places are already filling fast. You deserve this treat. Put yourself top of your TO DO list for once and book in now.

These week-long retreats are open to all 🙂

Don’t keep saying, “One day”. This is your day. Your life. Enjoy the ride!

Lots of love

Edwina xx

BLISSFUL BALI RETREAT 2023 – RUNDOWN

June 28, 2023 / Edwina Shaw / Leave a comment

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Our beautiful Balinese Goddesses at the traditional welcome ceremony and blessing that started our retreat with the special magic that is Bali.

When Kerstin first showed me the photos of Bali EcoStay I thought they were too good to be true. But from the moment we arrived I realised no picture could do justice to the stunning glory of this incredible place. Our inaugural retreat together was off to a wonderful start! We were blessed with a very special group of writers whose combined wisdom and grace made our week together a total delight.

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Our days started with yoga, gentle stretching and internal focus to help clear our minds for the creative work ahead. The yoga shala at Bali EcoStay is nestled into the rainforest and is filled with a peaceful ambience, enhanced by the mandala made of blossoms created for us by the local women.

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After a delicious breakfast prepared from ingredients grown in the organic permaculture garden, with eggs from their chooks, we had workshops on a different aspect of writing – from life writing to structuring your full length work, every day. The shared knowledge of the group, which included multiple published authors as well as first time writers, made these workshops valuable for all.

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On our first full day we were given a tour of the permaculture garden and the surrounding village, including our very own waterfall with a glorious swimming hole! Oh happy day!!

After another fresh delicious meal for lunch, writers had free time to explore more on their own or get stuck into writing, while Kerstin and I offered one on one mentoring sessions as well as tarot readings to help bring insight for moving forward with writing projects, and life. Massages too! In a tranquil Massage Bale in among the rainforest. Sigh – take me back!

We gathered again in the evenings at the yoga shala to do some guided yoga breathing (pranayama) which I’ve been doing for about 15 years now. Nature’s perfect tranquilliser. Then it was time for dinner!

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So yummy! And dessert every night too 🙂 Including delicious sugar-free chocolate creations made from their own organic cacao! (eaten too fast for photos – sorry!)

Then we were off to bed in our unique treehouse style bungalows – some overlooking the rice paddies, some nestled in the forest overlooking the stream that provided a constant soundtrack of relaxation music. We slept in the open air, fresh and cool, close to nature but safe and sheltered from all the elements. I loved my little hobbit cottage.

We finished our retreat with traditional collage :), setting intentions and writing goals and then a bonfire and readings night where our multi-talented participants shone like the sun!

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Here are a couple of examples of the writing inspired by our beautiful surroundings and the wonder of us all together.

Heaven is sitting on a bus with six wise women by Natasha Cox
They reminise about their travels
Say they used to have hair like mine
And when they talk about their dreams
They sound an awful lot like mine
They laugh and say
‘Oh, you’re so young’
‘You have plenty of time’
They laugh about men and life
And I realise that they are as young as I
Just a little greyer
Just a few more stories
Just a bit more life.

By Natasha Cox (Bali Retreat participant 2023)

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I WILL REMEMBER by Gail Rice

I will remember the stillness.

I will remember darkness as it dropped unannounced each evening and the gentle slow, subtle ripple of light in the morning as it peaked through the bright green leaves outside my window.

I will remember the women chattering and laughing in the afternoon as they worked their magic in the kitchen.

I will remember the little lizard with the yellow back baking in the sunshine.

I will remember the women whose hands eased the knots in my neck.

I will remember the graceful women who dressed us in balinese sarongs, white tops and colourful sashes and taught us to stitch together a basket to fill with flowers for an offering.

I will remember walking in line to the temple with our offerings and the honour of receiving a blessing. I will remember the priest, his serene face, his toothless smile and his still body.

I will remember the silky taste of the fresh water.

I will remember the Rat who kindly took time away from me.

I will remember the taste and texture of the fresh delicious food in my mouth.

I will remember feeling my body stretch and bend every morning and connect to the rhythm of its breath in the evenings.

I will remember listening to the motorbikes as they came up the hill in the morning as we did our downward dogs.

I will remember how my muscles loosen and expand when my body slows down, how my mind feels when it is quiet and clear, how my breath feels when I reconnect and honour it.

I will remember how warm my body feels when it gets a hug, how nourished it feels when it sleeps uninterrupted for hours, how alive it feels as the water gushes all over it in the waterfall.

I will remember to trust myself, to listen to myself and to give myself time – time that is always there most often just hidden by the clutter of life.

I will remember the gorgeous man who took us on the walk and named every plant and tree.

I will remember the breeze that danced over my arms in the evening as I slept.

I will remember walking down the stone steps with the little lights marking my path.

I will remember the joy of writing with others, the joy of having time for myself to write.

I will remember all of you – your courage, your compassion, you kindness, your creativity, your humour, your wounds, your words, your faces, your faces, your honesty, your curiosity and wisdom.

I will remember to feel gratitude.

Gail Rice (retreat participant 2023)

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This retreat exceeded the expectations of us all for the magic created, the great writing produced and the renewal of bodies, minds and hearts. Kerstin and I can’t wait to do it all again next year. We’ve already booked in dates! BLISSFUL BALI RETREAT JULY 11 -17 2024 – Read all about it and grab your spot HERE!

With great thanks and much love to the wonderful people who made this retreat so very special. THANK YOU for being you! More photos HERE.

Can’t wait all the way till July? I have two retreats close to home AUGUST 11 – 13 in Springbrook FEEDBACK AND REVISION RETREAT for those with a bit of writing under their belts in need of polishing and preparing to submit. (only$450 early bird, all inclusive). And OCTOBER 20-22 in Springbrook again for Life Writing and Memoir (best for newbies). Early bird $480!

Get all the info HERE. BOOK SOON to avoid disappointment.

My next retreat with Kerstin is super dooper exciting! HEAVENLY HOI AN! February 2 – 7 2024 Hoi An Vietnam, with river cruise, cooking class, tour of the night markets as well as our usual fabulous mix of yoga and writing workshops to get your stories out of your head and onto the page, publication ready!

This one will fill fast so BOOK SOON! All the info HERE.

OKAY, time for this little duck to hit the beach.

With lots of love from Gili Air, Indonesia.

Edwina xxx

MAGICAL MAGGIE MERMAIDS 2023 – Retreat rundown Magnetic Island June 2 – 4

June 8, 2023 / Edwina Shaw / Leave a comment

What a magical time we had on Magnetic Island at the latest Relax and Write Retreat. This one is called Relax and Write in Paradise for a reason! The water is crystal clear and turquoise and warm enough to swim and the island is 75% national park so the quiet is deep and soul restoring.

Once again a wonderful wise group of writing women turned up to restore their love of writing and life itself. Once again I witnessed the magic of women coming together to write, relax and support each other. As usual our days consisted of gentle yoga, relaxation exercises and lots of writing and lessons on the craft of creating stories – all in the very best of company!

This year we went out to Barefoot restaurant at Horseshoe Bay for dinner and had amazing seafood platters that may have been the highlight of the weekend for me 🙂 Apart from my lovely mermaids of course.

As is customary we finished up our workshops with some goal setting and hopes and dreams collages which were lots of fun – and very creative! Let’s hope all our dreams come true.

Here’s what some participants had to say about the retreat.

“I attended the Magnetic Island Writers Retreat hosted by Edwina.

I cannot say enough about just how worthwhile these retreats are. The workshops are informative, supportive and provide a positive learning space. There were writers of all levels and yet as someone less experienced I felt comfortable. Also, I have made some new friends! I have already booked to attend two more. Thanks Edwina 🌸”
Yvonne 🙂

“Just wanted to thank you for such a fantastic retreat. Feel emotionally unblocked and have my writing mojo back. Great content and sense of community.”

Karina 🙂

And here are a few more gleaned from my feedback sheets – anonymously 🙂

“An amazing retreat! So enjoyable and I learnt so much!”

“Good value for money.”

“Fantastic!”

“Thoroughly enjoyed the Relax and Write Retreat. Edwina’s knowledge and the way she takes us through visual exercises was incredibly powerful. A beautiful collective of authors.”

We finished up our retreat with a picnic and a swim at beautiful Alma Bay and a little bit of fortune telling for fun 🙂

THANK YOU to the wonderful women who make these retreats so very special. Women writers are a special breed of compassionate creative souls and it is my pleasure to help guide them in their writing.

So what are you waiting for? SEE HERE for all the information on upcoming retreats – two in Springbrook – Gold Coast hinterland (August and October) and Heavenly Hoi An in Vietnam in early February 2024 in collaboration with Kerstin Pilz of Write Your Journey.

And on Monday I’m off to Bali for our first Blissful Bali retreat. One coming again next year!! WOOHOO!

These retreats are so inspiring and so much fun! Isn’t it time you rebooted your writing mojo and gave yourself a treat?

lots of love

Edwina xxx

FEEDBACK AND REVISION RETREAT – SPRINGBROOK, AUGUST 11 – 13 2023

May 3, 2023May 3, 2023 / Edwina Shaw / 3 Comments

Are you working on a major writing project? Was it all going really well then something, let’s call it life, got it the way? Are you stalled? Stuck even? Feel like all your writing mojo has swirled down the sink with the dishwater? I know just how you feel!

When we’re feeling like we’re down a deep well, sometimes we need a hand to reach in and pull us out. That’s where this retreat can help! Let a weekend away with some practical advice on how to approach full length works, and some inspirational activities and yoga, reboot your writing spirit and your love of writing and life.

Maybe you’ve made it all the way to THE END of your first draft? But what next? This retreat has been specially designed to help you prepare for the all important second draft. Whether you’re writing fiction or memoir, prose or screenplay, you’ll be guided to dive deep into the heart of your story, find your themes, central quest or question, and learn how to see your story structure more clearly by creating a scene list, and discover how to manage the reader’s engagement, keeping them hooked with a constant flow of secrets, signs and a constant battle between HOPE and FEAR.

Let us help you find your way out of those dark scary woods! We’re here to help!

So if you’re stuck partway (or even almost at the end!) or you’ve completed your whole first draft, THIS IS THE RETREAT FOR YOU!

Come along and join the fun at our special Feedback and Revision Retreat at SPRINGBROOK!

Last year’s gang of happy campers!

Super boost your writing this August at this magical misty retreat at the Theosophical Society’s Education and Retreat Centre. Whether you’re aiming to get stuck into your writing, or if you have a manuscript almost done, this is the retreat for you!

1 pm FRIDAY 11 AUGUST to 2 pm SUNDAY 13 AUGUST 2023

Only a short walk to this glorious private lookout for some book dreaming

Connect with like-minded women around a fire in a beautiful location, be inspired by practical and informative workshops, stretch and relax with yoga and remember what it feels like to lose time as you play with words and create a story world.

READ past retreaters’ reviews HERE. Then come and join our happy band of wood nymphs!

This retreat is tailored for those who have a major project underway and who are looking for some feedback and advice on the redrafting process. Share your work with other writers at a similar stage if you’d like to or pay slightly more to receive individual editorial feedback on your writing and advice as to how best to move forward with your project from Edwina who’s helped hundreds of writers over the past 20 years find the heart of their stories.

Workshops focus on finding the heart of your story, structuring for success and publication pathways, including a special focus on writing your pitch.

Also joining us is fabulous bodyworker, Monique De Gooey, to help ease those writing-induced aches and pains. Extra cost.

The program includes three yoga sessions, readings night and three creative writing workshops. Two nights basic but comfortable single accommodation in cosy nun rooms with electric blankets, single beds and desks with bathrooms shared between two women, plus all meals – home made, healthy vegetarian and delicious – are included in the cost.

Chief Cookie the incredible Gay and her lovely helper, June.

FROM ONLY $450 all inclusive, for a room of your own. PAY YOUR $200 DEPOSIT BY 30 June for EARLY BIRD PRICES. $500 full price.

$50 extra for Edwina’s edit of your synopsis and first 10 pages.

Come along and join the fun, make new writing buddies and renew your love of writing and life. Bring that languishing project back to life! Remember how much fun you have writing and sharing your story with others. Get your head around the process of writing and rewriting, all in a safe, supportive, nurturing space. Find your way to the heart of your story and soothe your own heart at the same time!

Isn’t it time you put yourself and your writing at the top of your TO DO list? This affordable retreat will help you rediscover yourself as well as help you get that writing project to the next stage.

BOOK BEFORE JUNE 30 for EARLY BIRD PRICES!

Hope you can make it! Next retreat after this one is Memoir and Life Writing October 20 – 22.

Lots of love

Edwina xx

RELAX AND WRITE IN PARADISE: Magnetic Island Retreat June 2- 4 2023

March 16, 2023 / Edwina Shaw / Leave a comment

MAGGIE RETREAT 2023 IS FILLING FAST – Don’t miss out – early bird prices end March 31!

Edwina Shaw

Magical Magnetic Island! You can’t get much better than this beautiful tropical island off the coast of Townsville in North Queensland.

Escape the winter blues and reboot your writing mojo at RELAX AND WRITE IN PARADISE 2023. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the island’s many secluded beaches, reignite your creative self, indulge your inner writer and learn from one of Australia’s most experienced writing teachers (yes, that’s me 🙂 )

Connect with other writing women and write up a storm!

Is your creative spirit crying out for a little TLC? Come along and regain your love of writing and life at the nextRelax and Write Retreaton Magnetic Island in tropical Far North QueenslandatAmaroo on Mandalay.

From FRIDAY 2 JUNE – SUNDAY 4 JUNE 2023

Join like-minded women in a fun and supportive environment discovering just how much some deep relaxation can ignite your…

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BLISSFUL BALI WRITING RETREAT! JUNE 15 – 20 2023

December 21, 2022 / Edwina Shaw / Leave a comment

PUT YOURSELF IN THIS PICTURE 🙂

Oh yeah! It was when my lovely friend, and fellow yoga and writing retreat facilitator, Kerstin Pilz (see our Let’s Talk Writing episodes HERE) showed me this photo that I started to get very, VERY excited! I could see myself on that verandah, sitting on that bamboo daybed with my journal, the music of the stream washing away all the stress of the year, as I wrote freely and joyfully with a huge grin on my face. Oh yeah!

Can you feel it too? Is a retreat far from the busyness and bustle calling you? Is your creative spirit crying out for some loving care? Is it time to put yourself and your writing at the top of your priority list for once?

Do you deserve a really special treat, just for you? You know you do!

This retreat is super special : five nights, six days in the heart of rural Bali, staying at the amazing Bali Eco Stay resortwith two excellent :), experienced, creative writing facilitators, published authors, and yoga teachers, gently guiding you back to full health and happiness, and rejuvenating your creative powers! Or you could just dream the day away on your daybed if you like! Beautiful open air bungalows and yoga shala with all equipment provided.

All fresh organic vegetarian meals, airport transfers, special guided tour, cultural activities, complimentary massage and tarot reading, chakra cleansing, one on one session with a facilitator, 6 writing workshops, 5 morning yoga sessions, 4 restorative yoga breathing classes, and your beautiful bungalow accomodation is included! It will be heavenly!

Blissful Bali Writing Retreat

With Kerstin Pilz PhD and Edwina Shaw

Unleash your wild mind and heart

& write your life back into balance

So why don’t you join us at our Blissful Bali Writing Retreat and set your stories free!?

Get your stories out of your head and onto the page and feel the joy of creating beauty of your own in the peace and tranquility of Bali. Whether you have an established writing practice or have always wanted to write but never had the time, this retreat is for anybody in need of some quality nurturing of their creative spirit.

Every day begins with gentle yoga, followed by breakfast and an inspiring writing workshop to get those creative juices flowing. The afternoons are free for your own adventures and explorations, naps, or 1:1 sessions with Kerstin & Edwina, a complimentary massage and tarot reading, and a guided writing group for those who like to write in company. At the end of the day, we come together again for some gentle yoga breathing exercises to help clear your mind and revitalise your energy. Everyevening we share incredible dinners and relax with conversation and readings.

All activities are optional.

This is your retreat. Our aim is to nurture your body, mind, and creative spirit so you leave feeling renewed, both as a writer and as a human being, with a whole lot of new writing; and bright, exciting ideas and refreshed energy to take home with you.

See HERE for more information. Come along and join in the Bliss of this once in a lifetime experience!

Not flash with cash right now? A $450 deposit will secure your place and you have until April to pay it off – payment plans available. Or save up for Bali in 2024 as I’m sure this will become an annual event.

Want something more affordable and closer to home? Check out my popular, lower-priced weekend retreats HERE.

Oh gosh I hope you can come. Check it out here and dream a little! You can make it happen if you really want it!

Lots of love

Edwina xx

5 SURE SIGNS YOU’RE A WRITER – Do this quick quiz to find out!

December 18, 2022 / Edwina Shaw / Leave a comment

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Writer at work!

Got a feeling you might be a writer? Do this quick quiz then add up your points and see how you go!

5 Sure Signs You’re a Writer

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You READ – a lot. Is your bedside table, floor, desk covered in books half-read and to be read? Writers read voraciously and widely. Reading is your safe place and your sanctuary. Not only that, when writers read we’re always looking at how the book is written, especially books we love. We’re always thinking, “How did the author DO that?” Give yourself one point for every book in your pile.
You WRITE. Do you have a diary or journal you’ve been keeping for years? That’s a sure sign of a writer and the best way I know to develop your unique writing voice. Not keeping a diary? Do you write long letters, or emails or blog posts? Do you write to make sense of things? Write to bear witness? Does the act of writing give you pleasure? Does writing soothe you? Do you find comfort in shaping words into sentences and sentences into paragraphs? Give yourself 5 points if you write regularly. An extra 5 if you’ve kept a diary for over a year.
You REMEMBER IN STORIES. When you are remembering events from the past, do you find yourself writing the memory in your head? Are you forming a story with words rather than images, or images and words together. Are you trying to find a way to tell this story in a way that adds meaning to the random events of life? If so give yourself 5 points. If you’ve started writing these stories down, give yourself an extra point for every story you’ve started and an extra 5 for every story you’ve finished.
You DREAM IN STORIES or WAKE UP with story lines fully formed, or a CHARACTER wanting to be written. Do you remember your dreams and think, now THAT would make a great story! Do you wake up with the beginnings of stories in your head, with sentences, maybe whole paragraphs already formed? I woke up once with this: “My name is Condolezia, but I don’t speak Spanish. I was born the year after my brother who died the day he was born.” It was so strong I still remember it! Do you daydream in stories? Do characters tap you on the shoulder and demand to be heard, to have you write them into being? Give yourself 5 points if any of these nerdy, wordy visitations have happened to you. Give yourself an extra 5 for every story you’ve written from these prompts.
You FIND YOURSELF WRITING YOUR LIFE WHILE YOU’RE LIVING IT! This is a sure sign you’re a writer. If, in the midst of some life drama, turmoil, blessing or tragedy you find yourself searching for the words to describe it, then you are unmistakably a writer. The day my infant son died, I found myself sitting on the loo thinking about how I could ever write this terrible story. Thinking of a title. “Of Milk and Blood” I thought was pretty good. But I thought again and ended up with my Guide Through Grief instead. So if you’ve found yourself sitting among the wreckage, thinking up titles for this period of your life, then, I’m both afraid and proud to say – You, my friend, are a writer! It’s a blessing and a curse. Sometimes I just want to LIVE something without putting it into words. Give yourself 10 points if this kind of thing has happened to you.An extra 10 for every story inspired in a similar way, that you actually wrote.

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SO, are you a writer?

IF YOU SCORED

0-5 points – you love to read, but haven’t actually spent much time writing or even thinking about writing. You’re happy to let others do the story telling. The world needs readers and we writers LOVE YOU!

5-15 points – you love reading and writing and a deep part of you is calling out to be expressed in words. All you need to do is give yourself a chance. Try getting some of those stories out of your head and onto the page! See here for a guided meditation to quiet that inner critic holding you back and get you started!

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15 – 30 points – you’ve got what it takes to be a writer! In fact, you know it in your heart but you just need a little nudge to get those stories out of your head and onto the page. See here for a FREE WORKSHOP that will help you use all those great inspirations and thoughts to create stories.

30 points and over – CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’RE A WRITER! Yes you are! You know this, you’ve been writing and getting some of those ideas onto paper. Writing is a rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle. Writers are always observing and learning and creating meaning through words. Words bring comfort and order to our lives. We can create something beautiful from all we experience, even the darkest moments. See here for an affordable live online course in creative writing that will give you all the craft knowledge you need to make your stories engaging and compelling and, most of all, publishable!

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WHATEVER YOU SCORED, if you’re reading this post, something is calling you to writing. Consider yourself on notice. Sooner or later you’re going to have to get those stories out of your head and onto the page. See my FREE WORKSHOP and then check out my UPCOMING CRASH COURSE IN CREATIVE WRITING

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Let me help you set out on the magical journey of writing! I’ve been writing and publishing for over 20 years and have been teaching creative writing at universities, schools, festivals, at the Queensland Writers Centre and in the community since 2005. I’ve helped more writing students than most people have had hot dinners, so let me help you make a start on your writing adventures too. See more about me HERE.

Now, stop reading and start writing!

Wishing you the joy of creativity this holiday season. May you and yours connect in love and harmony and may the year ahead be filled with fun, creative adventures, lots of laughter and friends and fantastic good luck! YAY!

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Lots of love

Edwina xx

PS. Remember to check out my UPCOMING CRASH COURSE IN CREATIVE WRITING

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Memoir Magic in the Misty Mountains

October 26, 2022October 27, 2022 / Edwina Shaw / Leave a comment

Springbrook turned on another weekend in the clouds for our memoir retreat and cloaked our cosy cabins in mist and magic perfect for writing and learning about writing and sitting around the fire at night sharing our writing with like-minded women. And what a lovely gentle group of writerly souls it was. The special magic of women, listening to and supporting each other, brought new friends together and formed new writing groups to cheer each other on.

We feasted on warming wholesome home-cooked meals prepared with love and care by our super-cookie and talented writer, Gay Liddington, who’d just completed the first draft of her own memoir, so she had more to share than just food! In the mornings we relaxed with gentle yoga and, as a special treat on Sunday, Dolina gave us all complimentary relaxation acupuncture treatments! Heavenly! Our lovely masseuse Ann gave luxurious hot oil massages late into the nights, so we were all well and truly blissed out and feeling pampered as we went to sleep with our electric blankets, listening to rain pattering on the roof.

Workshops got us thinking about our projects in different ways (GO DEEPER!) and got new writers putting words on the page. I’m always happily surprised by the beautiful stories that emerge from these sessions. A highlight for me was Saturday night readings around the fire. So many unique and fascinating stories. Dolina’s dead dog with oozing eyes wearing bonnet and booties may never leave my mind! I just love seeing the look on writers’ faces as they share their work and have their voices heard and affirmed. YAY!

Here are some reviews from the weekend:

“A life changing weekend. I’ve come back with such a different view on my writing and feel really empowered generally. I had reached a point with this project where I felt like I was stumbling in the dark, and this retreat and all the amazing women guided me to the light switch!

I will definitely be back next year. I aim to arrive with my first published book.”

Erin Benjamin (retreat participant October 2022)

“Memoir writing is not my thing, or so I thought. After last weekend’s Relax and Write Retreat, I am inspired to craft at least a ‘slice of life’. Edwina’s enthusiasm and encouragement are infectious. Connecting with others who aspire to put their lives on the page and sharing our experiences became an unexpected joy.”

Raelene Purtill (retreat participant October 2022)

Here are a few other comments from our feedback form:

Michelle and her collage – big things are on the way!

“I came on retreat not expecting so many experienced writers and was a bit overwhelmed at first. But everyone was there for each other. It’s always great spending time in groups of women. The yoga, massage and food were excellent in a perfect location. Even the weather was good!” (retreat participant October 2022)

Our beautiful Gay – chief cookie and writer of power!

“Edwina and Gay made everyone feel safe. It made the whole retreat so intimate and joyful and when big emotions hit, the group support was genuine and amazing. I’ll be back!” (retreat participant October 2022)

“Edwina’s ability to create a safe, nurturing space allowed us to improve our technical skills of writing, gain clarity about our stories and confidence to release our voices into the world.”

Dolores Cummins (retreat participant October 2022)

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, these retreats are only as good as the women who come along and these women were the cream of the crop! It was an absolute delight to host this lovely gentle group who nurtured and supported each other so beautifully. How lucky am I that running these retreats is my job?

Bloody lucky! That’s what!

Three more retreats are planned for next year.

June 2 – 4 Magnetic Island – Elements of narrative

August 11 – 13 Springbrook – Feedback and revision retreat for those with some writing under their belts

October 20 – 22 Springbrook – Memoir and Life Writing

So what are you waiting for? Book your spot for next year now! Great Christmas present idea for writers – tell your family!! We always have a wonderful time.

I love these retreats, they are such a joyful part of what I do and I get to meet the most incredible inspiring women and make new friends every time!

Thank you to my wonderful helpers, especially dear Gay, and all the women who make these retreats so rewarding and so much fun.

Lots of love,

Edwina xx

RETREAT IN THE MISTY MOUNTAINS!

August 21, 2022 / Edwina Shaw / 1 Comment

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – Retreats are only as good as the women who come along, and this was another amazing group of inspiring, accomplished, compassionate and creative women. For the first couple of days, we lived in the clouds as if we were inhabiting a mystical land out of time where all that mattered was story and human connection. The sun came out on Sunday so we could see the view from the top of our waterfall and soak in the light and new beginnings.

Over the retreat, we relaxed with yoga, got into the nitty gritty of redrafting in our workshops, created new writing goals for ourselves and had fun chatting around the fire and making collages. Our chief cookie, Gay, provided us with delicious warming winter meals THANK YOU GAY!!

And Monique of Reconnect Holistic Bodywork nurtured our bodies with her miraculous body work sessions. THANK YOU MONIQUE!

Monique our miracle maker and her healing rainbow

Here’s what some of our retreaters had to say about their experiences over the weekend.

“I attended the Springbrook Relax and Write Retreat on 12-14 August, 2022. This turned out to be an amazing retreat. As a new author, I had no idea what to expect. I met the most amazing group of authors, ranging in age from 20 to me being the oldest at 76. They came from all walks of life and stages of their writing; and I found them very supportive.

One of the highlights for me was Edwina’s assessment of the first 10 pages of my manuscript and synopsis. We had sent these prior to the retreat, so she could assess them ahead of time. Then at the retreat, we met individually with Edwina for her to go over her suggestions with us and give us a written copy of this. I found this very helpful, comments on how to change to saying what I wanted to in a better way, specific feedback, picked-up on two important things which I had not realised were not clear to the reader, use of conjunctions rather than two words so it read more smoothly, and very positive. I left the meeting with Edwina feeling excited to continue editing my book.

Another highlight for me was the atmosphere. My life has included a lot of stress and the whole atmosphere at the retreat was relaxed and accepting. Each morning when I woke up, I simply felt peaceful. And I made friends who I hope to retain for a long time. I would recommend this retreat to any author. What a boost to my journey in writing.” Patty Sierra

“This was my first writing workshop and there was initially some doubt as to whether I should do it because I am only starting out as a writer. I went and found it fully rewarding. I felt like a valued member of the group, and to me these workshops are not just about the skills and connections but the journey and self-identity. I gained confidence and more clarity about my future direction. I highly recommend Edwina’s workshops.”

Nina Curry-Powell

Nina and her interesting collage of words

“Thanks for a lovely weekend Edwina! It was such a wonderful change from my regular responsibilities and I really loved the beautiful surroundings and being able to have long chats about writing with other kindred spirits. I came home recharged, inspired and wanting to do it all again.” Nikki Mottram author of soon to be released crime novel Crows Nest.

“Thank you Edwina for another amazing retreat. Springbrook was the perfect setting in the rain, with the wood fire, delicious home cooked vegetarian meals and a fabulous group of women. I was glad I sent you the ten pages, two weeks before, as it prompted me to get writing and it made what you were teaching more relevant. I really appreciated your professional feedback and after our session I felt more confident to share my writing with others. The gentle yoga and relaxation sessions were such a treat, as was the bodywork session with Monique. Definitely feeling relaxed AND I’m writing! See you again next year.”

Catherine Eadie (repeat retreater)

“Edwina is a passionate teacher and storyteller. She has a warm, down to earth way of connecting with people that makes everyone feel welcome. Her workshops are fun, creative and engaging — full of practical, helpful advice, and the deeper questions driving characters and story, making it ideal for writers at any stage in their work. I liked how Springbrook in the winter feels like a private retreat — tucked away in the Gold Coast hinterland, surrounded by national parks and hiking trails, with yoga workshops and the most amazing vegetarian food! Also enjoyed the late-night chats and readings by the fire, meeting and connecting with such an interesting group of women writers, who all shared a passion for great storytelling. I have to say that as a teacher myself, I am in awe of Edwina’s style of teaching and her ability to create a true, nurturing spirit of openness and community. At the end of the retreat, I felt connected to my work in a deeper way and like everyone else, totally inspired.”

Rebecca Belfield-Kennedy

Rebecca’s collage about her work in progress and the top of her mushroom beanie 🙂

Here are some more photos to tell the story for us.

THANK YOU to all the wonderful women who made this retreat so special. These retreats are a lot of work, as Gay our super cookie knows, but it is all worth it when we see women connecting with new writing buddies and having epiphanies about their writing projects.

I’m thrilled to announce that we have been able to secure another permanent spot at the Theoshophical Society Retreat Centre for our life writing retreat in October. OCTOBER 21 – 23 LIFE WRITING AND MEMOIR RETREAT!

So what are you waiting for? Come along and join the fun. Wander through the rainforest to the waterfall, write up a storm in workshops tailored specifically for memoir writers, get cosy in your own private little nun room and feast on delicious home cooked vegetarian meals. This retreat is best for those doing life writing and memoir and for new writers just wanting to put their toes in the water.

So treat yourself to a weekend rebooting your creativity, reconnect with nature and make new writing friends to cheer you on your way. YOU CAN BOOK IN HERE.

Put yourself on the top of your TO DO list for once. Women and non-binary folk welcome 🙂

Lots of love

Edwina xx

The lovely women who ran the centre or headed the Theosophical Society for many years smiling down on us as we gathered in their space.

MAGICAL MAGNETIC ISLAND MERMAIDS – RETREAT RUNDOWN JUNE 2022

June 21, 2022June 21, 2022 / Edwina Shaw / 1 Comment

Alma Bay, Magnetic Island – photo by Kathy Ewers

“What a lift it was to be in such good company and in nurturing hands. On a tropical island in winter! I haven’t stopped writing since. I can feel my project moving forward every day. And my confidence expanding. Thanks, Edwina.”

Clare Leabeater (retreat participant Magnetic Island June 2022

Beautiful Magnetic Island turned on the sun for us in early June with the water still summer-warm. Wonderful, funny, kind and creative women writers from all over Queensland came together for a weekend of workshops, yoga and fun.

This was a special retreat for me because my sister Natasha came along, even though she’s a visual artist not a writer. As she pointed out on retreat, she’s been forced to be my student ever since we were little playing endless games of school. Guess who was always the teacher. Yours truly. It was very dull. Poor Tashy! However, these days my facilitating skills are much better than when I was four and it was lots of fun to share what I do with someone I love. Thanks for coming Tashy.

Geri, Fleur and Tashy laughing their heads off at our meet and greet 🙂

We started with drinks and nibbles and our first workshop, getting to know each other and the stories we are writing, or wanting to write. We started imagining new stories and went deeper into those already in progress.

Yoga every morning helped those most in need of a break from busy lives and burnout to recover and find their inner peace again. Only a few breaths away, ever.

Workshops at this retreat were focused primarily on developing narratives that are character driven – whether that character is our earlier selves for memoir, or fictional creations. Stories that spring from characters’ intrinsic goals and desires, strengths and weaknesses are naturally more compelling and meaningful.

During the long break during the day some mermaids headed to beautiful Alma Bay for swims and sunshine and walks along the cliffs to Geoffrey Bay. While others indulged in massages by Mel, and naps. Nurturing the creative spirit takes a lot of work!!

In the afternoon we did a workshop on screenplay. All writers have a lot to learn from this very plot focused form and it was exciting to see writers have their first attempts at writing for the screen.

Writers at work! Rose and experienced screenwriter Joanne.

Dinner that night was at Picnic Bay, where the not so great food was more than made up for by the magnificent view across the bay to the twinkling lights of Townsville in the distance.

Sunday was play day! First some serious reality checking on publishing pathways and the Australian publishing industry (everyone go out and buy a book by an Australian woman author!!), some goal setting then my favourite part of every retreat – our collages. We all start with the same pile of magazines yet, as you can see, everyone creates something unique and beautiful in their own ways.

A selection of our inspiring creations from top me, Tashy, Chris, Joanne, Sheree, Rose, Fleur, Broni and Geri

Then to Alma Bay for a picnic and a swim, even some tarot reading! Then those who were staying an extra night all headed to Horseshoe Bay for sunset with some fish and chips. A beautiful end to our special weekend.

As always, it is the women who come to these retreats that make them so much fun and a joy to run. My greatest pleasure is making new pals and watching other new writing friendships forming. Best of all is seeing a light go on for a writer who has been stuck who suddenly sees the way forward for their project, or even better, seeing a newbie start writing furiously filled with enthusiasm for a story that is pouring from them in a frenzy.

Thank you to all the wonderful wise women who made this Maggie retreat so magical. Special thanks to Kathy Ewers – repeat retreater, talented writer and brilliant photographer who took the photos you see here. You can see more of her work and book her for your event HERE.

NEXT RETREAT is in SPRINGBROOK!! Gold Coast Hinterland August 12 – 14 at the Theosophical Society Retreat Centre. FEEDBACK AND REVISION RETREAT for those with a first draft done or underway. See more HERE.

EARLY BIRD PRICES END JUNE 30!! Only $440 for the full weekend, all yoga and writing workshops focused on self-editing, all meals and single room accommodation. YES!! Even if you haven’t written much, or you started well but now you’re stuck, come along and get unstuck!!

Only 5 places left so HURRY! PAY YOUR $200 DEPOSIT HERE to secure your place. Contact me to check availability.

Thanks again to all the talented and generous women writers who make retreats such a joy.

Lots of love

Edwina xx