You've been a writer for most of your life.
-
Believe it.
09.13.2024
We'll settle in, enjoy dinner and share our goals for the weekend.
Enjoy the sunset over the marsh during our opening session, including a can't-go-wrong exercise that proves your power.
By the time you go to sleep in this quiet and beautiful place, you'll see that you've been a wordpainter all along.
-
Direct it.
09.14.2024
This will be a big day filled with concepts and simple exercises that activate your writing skills.
Build confidence in your creativity.
Refine your ability to paint with words.
Understand the power of your perspective.
New friends, fresh ideas and plenty of food will fuel your discovery.
-
Grow it.
09.15.2024
Rest and enjoy the peace. Write, read and relax over brunch. There's no rush to leave.
Stating our dreams out loud is an important step in making them come true. We'll take a moment to share big or small writing goals.
Expand your ability to wordpaint with control and purpose.
The joy follows naturally.
Writing Workshop Agenda
-
Friday
4PM - 6PM
Arrival and Check-in. Settle in and get comfortable in your accommodations
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Welcome Dinner
Get to know each other over a meal in our spacious lodge
8 PM - 9:30 PM
Opening Session - The Power of Personal Perspective
- Explore how your unique viewpoint shapes your writing
- Discover the value in everyday observations
- Participate in a creative writing exercise about your arrival experience
-
Saturday
8:15 AM - 8:45 AM
Breakfast
9 AM - 10:30 AM
Session 1 - Unleashing Your Creativity
- Dive into an easy, imaginative word sketch that will spark creativity
- Explore universal storytelling elements and principles
-Apply new ideas to your own writing sample
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Session 2 - Engaging Your Readers
- Learn and apply techniques to make your writing more vivid, descriptive, and captivating
- Participate in a playful writing exercise to practice creating engaging content
- Discover the power of "show, don't tell" and other reader engagement techniques
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Lunch Break
- Enjoy a meal and casual conversation with fellow participants
1:30 PM - 3 PM
Session 3 - Crafting Clear and Impactful Writing
- Explore methods to refine your writing, adding power and clarity
- Play with perspective and character development through a hands-on writing experiment
- Learn techniques for eliminating redundancy and choosing strong, effective language
3:30 - 5 PM
Session 4 - Personal Narratives
- Discover how to transform your personal experiences into compelling stories
- Learn techniques for selecting meaningful details and conveying emotions in your writing
- Begin crafting a short personal narrative
5 PM - 6 PM
As you wish
Keep the writing going, take a walk - or a nap - enjoy a chat.
6 PM - 7 PM
Dinner
7 PM - Whenever
Share and Unwind
- Share more work from the day's sessions or other projects
- Receive supportive feedback from the group
- Discuss insights and discoveries
- Relax at the fire pit! (weather permitting)
-
Sunday
9 AM - 11 AM
Brunch available
Sleep in or enjoy the sunrise and grab a bite when you're ready
Whenever-we're-ready AM
Your Writing Journey Ahead
- Reflect on the workshop experience and your growth as a writer
- Set personal writing goals and discuss strategies for achieving them
- Explore methods for maintaining a regular writing practice
- Share final thoughts and encouragement with your fellow wordpainters
12 PMish
Checkout and Departures
- Hug new friends goodbye and drive through the hills ready to internalize new tools and motivation for your writing journey
Bonus Fall Fun
-Have a bit more time to spare? On your way out of town, follow me to the charming Courtland Depot Market. Welcome fall with a free pumpkin or two, courtesy of my dad's neighbor Dan
Meet the Wordpainters
-
Amy Kerr
-
Rachel Kail
-
Linda Kastens
-
Hailey Gray
-
Debbie Sanders
-
Julia Walker
Each room has a private bathroom with shower. The Eagles Nest is an open lofted area overlooking the great room and also has its own bathroom and shower. The Bunkhouse is a separate building just down the hill from the Lodge.
Accomodations
Eagles Nest
FAQs
Which room will I stay in?
Each room in the lodge has a private bathroom with shower. The loft is open to the greenroom/kitchen and also has its own bathroom, and the bunkhouse is just down the drive, with two beds. I have thoughts on comfortable arrangements for everyone, but if you have a specific preference, let me know!
Are there amenities nearby?
This location is remote. Double-check that you have all medications you might need (allergy, inhaler, etc.) so you’ll be comfortable. The nearest town of any size is Concordia, about 30 minutes away.
Wow, do I need a 4x4 to get there?
Funny enough, um, maybe! All roads are perfectly accessible in any car unless it rains heavily. In that case, check with me and we may decide to have you park your car near the top of the final drive in and come get you. No need to get stuck!
Are toiletries provided?
Yes, but a little limited. I suggest bringing preferred soap, shampoo, conditioner or lotion.
Should I bring food?
If there are certain snacks or drinks you’d like, feel free to bring them. And if you want to make something for the group, let me know so I can work it into the menu. But I’m planning to provide all meals.
What about drinks?
I’ll be supplying coffee and soda — everyone has their favorites fizzy drinks, so please tell me yours!
Will there be alcohol?
I’ll provide red and white wine plus beer. Thoughts very welcome on preferred brands. BYOB if there are additional cocktails you’d like to share.
What should I wear?
Whatever makes you feel comfortable! Check the weather in Jamestown, but it’s usually not far off of Kansas City or Wichita. The property is pleasant to walk around, and the back deck is a great place for a sunset, plus I hope to have a fire pit.
We’ll be inside unless we want to be outside, so bring options.
Sturdy shoes are a good idea, the gravel drive is bumpy and steep if you go for a walk.
What else do I need to bring?
Writing materials: We will be doing fun writing exercises and you may want to take notes. Bring your laptop, a notebook, or both!
Projects: Are you looking for feedback? Maybe you have an idea, outline, short story, poem, excerpt - bring any work you’re ready to feed and water.
Inspiration: Take notes over the next month on writers or ideas that inspire you. We’ll all be learning from each other.
Stories: Again, in the next month, when a meaningful story or moment happens in your life - or pops up from your past - jot down a note so you have more ideas to choose from for simple writing exercises. If you forget, don’t worry. We’ll sort it out together.
Spirit: Come ready to grow, connect and relax.
But this agenda is wall-to-wall. Will I be exhausted?
Listen, I’ve never done this before. I want to make sure we have plenty of content and chances to learn. But this is your time. If you need to engage more lightly, take advantage of this calm space and we’ll see you when you’re ready to join us again.
Did you ever land on a price?
Ha, great question! $400 / person will cover your lodging for two nights + food and drinks. See details below!
Workshop Fee - $400 / person
This amount covers your private room for two nights, workshop content and all food and drinks.
Please send me a deposit of $100 by 8/31/24. This will confirm your attendance and cover ingredient costs.
Feel free to pay the entire amount in advance if you prefer.
Let me know if you don’t have Venmo and we can make other arrangements.