The women we have been, the women we are, the women we will be.

This is the weekend's theme, and I invite you to step outside the day-to-day and spend this time together in the company of other women, where we will write, eat, share, and reflect.

The program

Friday night we will get settled in, and be introduced to the people and place around us. A guided writing exercise will start our reflections on the weekend's theme. Friday night we will share a meal (provided) in the communal area.

Saturday morning offers a facilitated workshop led by Jay. We will continue our discussion of the weekend's themes and consider how we might use reflections on our past, present and future selves to write more interesting, complex and authentic characters. Examples and writing exercises will be provided. We will also talk about how these techniques apply to different kinds of writing - your own story, someone else's story, or fictional worlds.

Saturday afternoon is yours to use as you feel called to. You might like to work on your own writing project or start something new. You may choose to wander through the surroundings, read, journal or meditate.

Jay is also happy to spend time discussing any projects you might be working on.

We will gather for reflections in the afternoon, including sharing something we have written if we choose. We will then share a communal meal again Saturday evening. Participants will be asked to bring something to share for this meal.

On our final morning, we will gather again for a closing exercise and final reflection session.

What I hope you will take away

I hope the weekend will leave you with new connections to people and to place, some practical writing knowledge and skills, and some reflections on where you are and were you hope to go, as a writer and as a woman.