After breakfast each morning, throughout our week-long retreat, we gather for a shared writing workshop which is a minimum of 2 hours in length. Our group is always small (7-10 writers) so workshop content is tailor-made to suit the interests and needs of the group. Typically, each session begins with a ‘free write’, allowing us to flex our creative muscles. We then move on to explore a specific writing technique, doing so through discussions, readings and two or three varied and inspiring prompts. As an example, we may spend a morning looking at character development, exploring techniques such as subtext and status as ‘ways in’ to a greater understanding of the characters we create. Other workshop themes may include story structure, beginnings and endings, point of view, editing techniques and genres such as memoir and poetry. Workshop content can easily be adjusted to meet the needs of playwrights, novelists, short story writes and more. Prompts are chosen carefully to offer growth opportunities for writers at all stages, from beginner to experienced. All sessions are lively and informal, with a balance between intense writing and friendly discussion, and everyone has the opportunity to share their work with the group, should they wish to do so.

In addition to the workshops, the writing portion of our week includes two readings. The first reading is offered by Julie Hartley, the course facilitator, at the beginning of the week. The second reading is run by the participants themselves, and is a chance for you to celebrate your achievements by sharing excerpts of your work with the group on the last evening of the trip, should you wish to do so.

Facilitator

Julie Hartley has 20 years’ experience as a writer and writing instructor, and she has been running creative writing retreats in Costa Rica, Mexico, England and Wales for the past decade. Her young adult novel, The Finding Place, was published in Canada and the US by Red Deer Press. In 2018, Theatrefolk Press released her book for teachers and directors, Practical Approaches to Shakespeare, and in 2019 Mansfield Press released her poetry collection, Deboning a Dragon. Julie has two historical novels forthcoming with Bookouture, and in addition to her fiction, nonfiction and poetry, she also writes plays, several of which have toured England and Ireland. Originally from England, Julie now lives in Toronto with her husband and daughter, where she is the director of a creative writing school. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia.  You can read more about her at  juliehartley.ca