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

May 3, 2023May 3, 2023 / Edwina Shaw / Leave a comment

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

FEEDBACK AND REVISION RETREAT IN SPRINGBROOK!

October 20, 2020 / Edwina Shaw / 1 Comment

Planning to write up a storm for NANOWRIMO? Not sure what to do next?

RELAX AND WRITE RETREATS are thrilled to announce a special Feedback and Revision Retreat at SPRINGBROOK!

Super boost your writing this December at this special retreat in Springbrook 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!

3 pm FRIDAY 11 to 2 pm SUNDAY 13 December 2020

Dinner time feasting with fabulous folk!

Connect with like-minded women in a beautiful location, be inspired by practical and informative workshops, stretch and relax with yoga and release your inner-goddess dancing under the stars.

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 and pay slightly more to receive individual editorial feedback on your writing and advice as to how best to move forward with your project.

Workshops focus on finding the heart of your story, structuring for success and publication pathways.

Also joining us is fabulous masseuse, Janine Maegaard, to help ease those writing-induced aches and pains. Extra cost.

The program includes two yoga sessions, dance night and three creative writing workshops.

Two nights basic but comfortable accommodation plus all meals are included in the cost.

FROM ONLY $420 all inclusive, for a room of your own.

COST for the weekend of writing, fun and feasting, including accommodation, all meals, 3 yoga sessions, 3 creative writing workshops and a dance night. Transport not included.

Single $450

OR Pay your $200 deposit before 31 October 2020 for EARLY BIRD $420

Plus optional $50 extra for editorial feedback on your synopsis and first 10 pages from Edwina

Contact me first to ensure availability 🙂

Here’s the RETREAT PROGRAM.

All activities are optional

FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER

ARRIVAL from 3 pm – get settled and get writing

5:30 pm – Meet and Greet

6:30 – DINNER

7:15 – 8:30 WORKSHOP 1– Finding the heart of your story. What is your story’s central quest/question?

SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER

7am – 8:30 –YOGA

8:30 – BREAKFAST

10:30am – 1 pm – WORKSHOP 2 – Structuring for success. Scene lists, suspense and more

1 pm – LUNCH followed by FEEDBACK GROUPS OR INDIVIDUAL WRITING TIME

6:00 pm – Gentle stretches and deep relaxation

6:30pm – DINNER

7:15– 8:30 pm – DANCING

SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER

7am – 8:30am –YOGA

8:30 – BREAKFAST

10:30 – 12:30 – WORKSHOP 3 –Publishing pathways, pitching and proposals, bios, your writing CV – collage

12:30 – LUNCH

2 pm DEPARTURES

All times not indicated are for supervised or solitary writing time and/or individual feedback sessions with Edwina or in your small groups, and/or exploring, massages and sleeping!

FEEDBACK DETAILS – email Edwina your first 10 pages plus your synopsis at least 2 weeks prior to retreat

Come along and join the fun, make new writing buddies and renew your love of writing and life.

We always have a wonderful time!

Contact me with any questions or if you’d like more info about this or other retreats. More retreats coming in 2021!

Lots of love

Edwina

HURRY! EARLY BIRD PRICES FOR MEMOIR RETREAT END SOON!

August 21, 2020 / Edwina Shaw / Leave a comment

RELAX AND WRITE IN THE MOUNTAINS.

I’m thrilled to announce that my special introductory and memoir writing retreat at Camp Koojarewon in Highfields north of Toowoomba is now back on track and ready to go. PHEW! Touch wood, cross fingers.

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

From 2pm FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER – 2 pm 25 OCTOBER 2020

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 get writing with innovative workshops to help move those stories out of your head and onto the page.

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

Bianca Millroy – participant NANOWRIMO retreat 2019

The program includes two yoga sessions, four inspiring writing workshops covering the basics, plus advice on editing and submitting your work. Two nights basic dorm accommodation plus delicious vegetarian meals, morning and afternoon teas and a special dance night are included.

“The fully-catered retreat environment was comfortable and stress-free. Edwina and her team create an atmosphere that encourages, motivates and inspires.”

Gay Liddington – participant NANOWRIMO retreat 2019

74525054_2825161627518186_7597014491913519104_n — Maria, Kathy and Jude – triple retreaters!

Connect with other creative women in a beautiful, peaceful location, be inspired by practical, informative workshops, stretch and relax with yoga and release your inner-goddess dancing under the stars. No more putting your dreams on hold. Treat yourself to this special weekend nurturing your writing spirit. You deserve it!

RETREAT PROGRAM All activities are optional

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FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER 2020

ARRIVAL from 3 pm

5 pm – Meet and Greet

6:00 – DINNER

6:45 – 8:30 WORKSHOP 1– Your Stories

SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER

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

8:30 – BREAKFAST

10:00am – 12:30 pm – WORKSHOP 2 – Writing from start to finish – developing a plot and a plan

12.30 pm – LUNCH

1 – 4:00 – FREETIME and FEEDBACK SESSIONS

4 – 6:00 pm – WORKSHOP 3 – Character and Dialogue

6:00 pm – DINNER

7:00– 8:30 pm – DANCING and chatting around the bonfire

SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER

7:15 – 8:30am – 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

1:30- 2pm DEPARTURES

Editorial feedback sessions with Edwina available on request $50 extra for those needing advice on a project.

FEEDBACK DETAILS – email Edwina your first 10 pages plus your synopsis at least 2 weeks prior to retreat for full edit/advice plus 20 minutes meeting time. Massages will also be available at extra cost.

COST for the weekend of writing, fun and feasting, including accommodation, all meals, 2 yoga sessions, 4 creative writing workshops and a dance night. Transport not included.

$400 all inclusive!

EARLY BIRD $360 -Pay $200 deposit before 31 AUGUST 2020

PAY YOUR DEPOSIT HERE

then Drop Me a Line to let me know you’ve done so and I’ll secure a spot for you.

OR contact me to pay by Direct Deposit: preferred : )

Contact me any time for more info or with questions.

A very few single rooms are available for those with special needs at slightly extra cost. Contact Edwina.

Remember – as Heidi said “I knew the mountains would make her well!”

EARLY BIRD PRICES CLOSE THIS WEEK!

January 28, 2020January 28, 2020 / Edwina Shaw / Leave a comment

Just a quick reminder that early bird prices for my upcoming retreat in the mountains west of Brisbane close soon.

This special retreat for women is a great introduction if you’re a new writer wanting to test the waters. This retreat has a memoir/life writing focus but is also suitable for those writing fiction.

Come and Relax and Write in the Mountains. Renew your love of writing and life and make new writing buddies to share the adventure.