Writers’ Retreat Workshops

Wednesday, 15 May:

Intention-Setting

With Lara Holliday and Natalka Burian

Following our cocktail mixology class, you’ll workshop your intentions for the days ahead to help you get the most out of this retreat.

Thursday, 16 May:

Starting Out: Is it a Situation or is it a Story?

With Natalka Burian

This workshop is all about taking it from the top. We’ll examine some killer beginnings and talk about why they work (Jazz; The Heart us a Lonely Hunter; Sense and Sensibility; War and Peace). We’ll talk about what we can do on the starting line to set ourselves up for success in the long run. We’ll shore up and lengthen the legs on those first ideas to make sure they can get us to the end. Most importantly, we’ll compile the tools and discuss the skills needed for survival in the wilderness that is telling a good story.

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Invigorate Your Creativity Through Consciousness Shifting

With Lara Holliday

Somewhere in the confluence of neuroscience and philosophy is the concept of two types of consciousness: Lantern and Spotlight. Lantern Consciousness is the mindset we’re in when we are making use of all five senses and drinking in every bit of simulus around us. It’s the level of consciousness we are naturally born with, and it’s critical to the ability of infants and children to be able to learn and process a huge amount of information about how the world works around them.  It also fuels our creativity, sparks our inspiration, and develops our intellect. As we age, however, we tend to lose our ability to find Lantern Consciousness as we are encouraged through the process of schooling and specialization to hone our Spotlight Consciousness.  Spotlight Consciousness is the state we’re in when we are focused closely on a singular activity, such as reading, solving mathematical equations, or actively listening to a speaker.  Spotlight Consciousness is a critical skill for all of us, but as we age, we tend to let it become the dominant mindset and we lose the ability to turn on Lantern Consciousness.  

In this one-our workshop using the herd of horses and the gardens, orchards, and woods of Shore Hall, Lara Holliday will lead you to move in and out of Spotlight and Lantern Consciousness, giving you a fresh perspective on the world around you, opening your observation skills to a wider set of stimulus, and triggering your creativity. Activities will include observation and walking, so come prepared with an open mind and a sturdy pair of shoes.

Friday, 17 May:

Manage Your Inner Critic

With Lara Holliday

We've all got one: that little voice in our head that tells us exactly why we can’t be the writer we want to be. Its narrative serves to drag us down as it tells us our writing isn’t good enough; we don’t have a unique story to tell; we’ll never be able to top our last book sales. That voice is called our Inner Critic. When we give our Inner Critic too much air time, it can become a part of our identity and can have a detrimental impact on our self worth, reinforcing our self-doubt and preventing us from living out our intentions. 

The inner critic is, however, there to protect us, and trying to silence it or argue with it is not an effective way to manage it. Instead we need to recognise it, acknowledge its role, and make it an ally in our work to advance our intentions. In this 90-minute session, Lara Holliday  will teach you how to do that.

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Character, POV, and Voice: From First Heartbeat to Satisfying Arc

With Natalka Burian

Today we’re diving deep into character development and different arcs you can lean on to tell the story you want to tell. Using lists, worksheets, and prompts, we’ll leave no stone unturned when it comes to getting that protagonist into shape. We’ll dabble in every kind of point of view—it’s like speed dating! Keep trying until you find “the one!” With this foundation in place, we’ll discuss how character flaws, core wounds, and the lies our characters tell themselves can deepen and enrich a story.

Saturday, 18 May

Write Your Short Story

With Emma Robinson

Emma Robinson is a USA Today bestselling author with a passion for stories which explore the power of family and friendship in the most challenging circumstances. Whilst her early novels are humorous; her recent work focuses on emotional themes and these novels are both heart-breaking and life affirming. Emma will lead a three-hour workshop to teach you how to write a short story. Stay tuned for more details!

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Structure and Plot: The Kid Stays in the Picture

With Natalka Burian

In this workshop we will lean on the classic five act structure so effectively employed in movies and plays to ground us in our characters’ journey. We will discuss and explore different kinds of tension and discuss tips and tricks to keep readers turning pages. Whether you are a plan-oriented plotter or a free-wheeling pantser (a writer who flies by the seat of their pants,) I promise we’ll find a structure that works for you.

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Honing Observation Skills with Horses

With Lara Holliday

Horses are herd animals with a fascinating ability to feel the energy and emotions of people around them. Their reactions to us can teach us so much about ourselves that we may not be fully aware of, including mental hurdles that are holding us back, internal resources we didn’t know we had, and how our energy is affecting ourselves and others. Watching and interacting with horses under the guidance of an Equine-Facilitated Learning Coach can unearth a treasure trove of insight and clarity that can help you move forward with confidence and ease.

In this 90-minute session, Lara will guide you through observation practices as we watch horses from a distance. She will then work one-to-one with individuals within an enclosed arena with a horse on a lead rein while the rest of the group practices observational techniques while watching the human/horse interactions. Participants are welcome to participate in the one-to-one work if they please but it is not a requirement. No one will be riding horses; all of the work will be done on the ground. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are a must.

Sunday, 19 May

Dialogue, Setting, Description: What Next?!

With Natalka Burian

We’ve got the basics down! Now what? In this workshop we will discuss the elements that add dimension to our stories and create our style. How do our characters talk to each other and why? Where are these people anyway? What even is a theme? Today we’ll sort through options and strategies to bring our writing to the next level. We might even squeeze in a little revision shop talk!

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Intention Setting and Accountability Planning 

With Lara Holliday

The Writers Retreat will enable you to build your writing skills, navigate your writing career, and fuel your creative core, but what happens once you leave the bucolic grounds of Shore Hall? This one-hour session led by Lara Holliday will give you time to process the learning and writing you have done during our time together and guide you to make commitments for your future that will enable you to hold yourself accountable for progress.  You will also write yourself a letter that will be delivered to you in six month’s time, and make plans with your fellow retreat participants to support one another on your writing journey.