I’ve attended many Creative Writing retreats over the years. A writing retreat in a fishing village in Mexico. Another on the wind-swept moors in Devon, England. Retreats in Scotland and Wales. I’ve also run dozens of retreats myself. Our creative writing retreat centre in Canada hosted more than 100 writers, and these days, we run creative writing retreats in Costa Rica: and a new writing retreat in Mexico.
Why Attend a Creative Writing Retreat?
Writers rarely have the opportunity to focus exclusively on writing. We’re spouses, parents, sons, daughters, home owners, and whatever it is we do for a living. We may want to write a novel, complete a memoir, write poetry or finish a screenplay, but life pulls us in other directions.
Attending our creative writing retreats in Costa Rica or Mexico, you become 100% a Writer, in the company of others who define themselves the same way. You can spend hours on your novel, then chat with other writers over dinner, or in our morning writing workshops. The combination of solo writing time, creative writing workshops and the community of other writers makes a creative writing retreat unique. Plus, you get to explore another culture.
A Typical Day on a Creative Writing Retreat
Each day begins with a relaxing breakfast, followed by a writing workshop geared to beginner and experienced writers alike, and appropriate for fiction writers, poets, memoir writers, playwrights and writers working on a novel. Afternoons consist of long periods of uninterrupted writing time, with a choice of inspiring locations to work. Alternately, you can join us for sightseeing trips! Meals are shared around a large table. The resident writing instructor offers individual support as required. And on the final night, the participants are invited to read from work they created during the week, as we celebrate our achievements as writers.
The Personal Benefits of a Creative Writing Retreat
For me, as a writer, retreats are not a luxury but a necessity. Large chunks of all my novels were written on retreats. There is something wonderful about plunging into the world you have created, or the creative writing project that inspires you, and living in it for hours at a time. This is the best way to get to know your characters, and to find the heart of the story you need to tell, and it is incredibly satisfying to return home with significant portions of a novel or memoir – or a fresh selection of poems – complete.
Types of Creative Writing Retreats
When choosing a Creative Writing Retreat, ask yourself: where would you like to go? Our Creative Writing Retreats in Mexico and Costa Rica are designed to feel like holidays, as well as writing experiences. You have the opportunity to explore the local area each afternoon. Of course, it’s also important to find a retreat appropriate to the kind of writing you enjoy. Poets, novelists, playwrights and memoir writers are all welcome on our writing retreats, and we have also successfully hosted writers of self help books and creative non-fiction writers.
Getting the Most from a Creative Writing Retreat
Do your research beforehand! Call us to discuss your creative writing project, and to ask all your questions, before booking. Then, let us know a few weeks before your creative writing retreat begins, exactly what you will be working on during the week, and what you would like us to address in our workshops. Creative writing workshops are tailor-made to suit the writers attending, because it’s always a small group – 8 or 9 writers in total. Set your writing goals for the week, and we will help you to achieve them.
Interested in attending our Creative Writing Retreats in Mexico and Costa Rica? Don’t delay! All retreats fill quickly. Call us at 416 766 7124 to discuss your interests!
Check out https://www.centauriarts.com/retreats/ for more information.
