Writing Workshops, Retreats, Mentoring

writing fiction

Writers’ Sanctuary Dates January to June 2012

As a mother of a young child I used to dream of having a place I could go to periodically to write. Not for too long – there was too much going on at home. But a day now and then – a few hours to devote to my poor book that so often got shunted to one side because of all the other demands of my life.

And then, as it has a habit of doing, life changed. My beautiful boy got older, I moved into this cozy space in the woods full of bookshelves, a fireplace, a kitchen where the coffee pot is always ready to pour a cup or two, and a yard where the wildlife parades past the windows and serenades day and night (everything from blue jays and chickadees, juncos and nuthatches, to wild turkeys, deer, a weasel, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, wolves, and – just a couple of times in the spring – a black bear).

It’s a magical space and I realized I could share it with other writers and make those creative days I had once dreamed of happen, for myself and for other members of the writing tribe.

And so, Writers’ Sanctuary Sundays were born.

At a Sanctuary Sunday, we begin at 10:00 a.m. Writers are welcome to arrive a few minutes early to settle in, grab a coffee or tea, and muffin or some fruit and chat with the others.

The morning is spent doing a series of on-the-spot timed writing exercises to stretch those stiff writing muscles and get the creative writer in you feeling more relaxed, focused and perhaps even a little experimental.

After the delicious lunch (provided) the afternoons are spent in silent communion with other writers, working either on a computer or by hand on whatever project is preoccupying you as a writer these days. If you don’t have a laptop but want to work on a keyboard, you will be provided with a computer. Your Word file can be emailed to you at the end of the day.

Uplands is in a peaceful rural location, so you are also welcome to go out for a walk on quiet country lanes if you need a break. There’s even a couch or two if you need your afternoon nap for half an hour to wake up refreshed and ready to write some more!

Writing is over at 4:45 p.m. for those who need to get home, but if you wish to stay, there will be an opportunity to sit a while longer, to share some of what you’ve been working on and to debrief, discuss issues of craft, etc.

02 Morning visitor January 11 2009

Space is limited.

Place: Uplands – 10 km west of Port Perry, 10 km southeast of Uxbridge.
Dates from September 2011 to June 2012:

For Fall 2011:

Saturday, October 15
Sunday, October 16
Sunday, November 6
Saturday November 19
Sunday, December 4th


For Winter/Spring 2012:

Sunday, January 8
Saturday, January 21
Sunday, February 5
Sunday, March 4
Sunday, March 25
Sunday, April 15
Sunday, May 6
Saturday, May 19
Sunday, June 3
Saturday, June 16

Cost: $65. per Sanctuary, lunch included.
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[quickshop:Payment for Sanctuary:price:65:end] $65.00 Payment for each Sanctuary date from September 2011 to June 2012

Please Note: Because Sanctuary dates are so popular, and because the group is limited in size, your registration is not confirmed until payment is received. If you prefer not to use Paypal, you can pay by cheque. The mailing address is:

Sue Reynolds
GoForWords,
13240 Mast Road,
Port Perry, ON
L9L 1B5

SOULCOLLAGE: In October 2010 Sue was certified as a SoulCollage® facilitator Click here to read more.

To read what one participant wrote about the Sanctuary experience, please click here.