Looking back at Leaping Forward
BLOG WRITTEN BY MARY CORNELIUS
by PHOENIX OASIS PRESSWhen it comes to selecting a writing retreat, you want to find one that suits your communication and learning style, and serves your needs. Read on for a recap of our earlier writing retreat, Leap Forward Into Writing. If it feels up your alley, we’re hosting it again later this fall – with a few tweaks and new surprises. You can join the waitlist here.
A Bright & Early Leap Day
On Thurs. Sept. 29, 2024, the doors of the community hall opened at 8:30 a.m. Within minutes, self-proclaimed introverts filled the space with their author chatter and laughter. Lunches found homes in the fridge while the smell of coffee swirled.
30 Writers Across Genres & Journeys
Of the thirty writers in attendance, there was a pretty even split between fiction, non-fiction, and writers of both genres. In the event’s registration survey, attendees were asked to categorize where they found themselves on their writer’s journey. Half a dozen noted they were ‘unpublished novices.’ There were a few ‘dabbler / hobby writers,’ and a handful who have ‘many drafts, few completed projects.’ A dozen writers noted they had ‘published a few times.’ What brought them together: their desire to improve as writers to tell their unique story.
When the Theme Writes Itself
The writers retreat theme, Leap Forward into Writing, came naturally from the fact that February 29 was indeed a Leap Year. What better way to use an extra calendar day than writing? POP’s core values were also top of mind in planning: Craft, Creativity, Connection, Growth, and Support. And finally, a C.S. Lewis quote from The Four Loves rounded out the tone for the day:
Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself …”
With those things in mind, the planning team filled the schedule with sessions and experiences designed to encourage community and support.
The February Agenda
Held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. , the agenda was filled with informational workshops, breaks to network, and ample writing time.
Orientation – Meet the hosts and learn about the day ahead.
Getting to Know You – Whack a Writer (minus the whacking) broke any remaining ice as everyone discovered their connections as writers. Then, armed with prompts on slips of paper from the centerpieces, everyone moved around the room to delve a little deeper into personalities. For some reason, “writing in pajamas or underwear?” appeared frequently.
Tapping into Your Creative Self with Donna Parker – This open-ended and sensory-based prompt session encouraged free writing and creativity.
Character Development: Breathing Life into Bodies with Eric Sellen – This workshop offered Ideas on how to flesh-out characters before writing them into our work, something useful for non-fiction as well as fiction.
Free writing a la Shut Up and Write® style – People wrote at indoor and outdoor tables, alone and in groups, on computers and paper. Some writers lay on the lawn to enjoy the sunshine.
Telling the Truth: Eliciting Effective Feedback with Mary Cornelius and Donna Parker – This discussion raised common difficulties finding useful critique for one’s work and explained the differences between readers and editors.
Danger, Will Robinson! (Resistance is a Robot) with Sue Fulton and Ashley Gaskin – This interactive session armed guest with tools to fight procrastination. At its core, the idea that resistance is natural, and often a trauma response triggered for protection.
Feedback: A Gift We Give Each Other
As the Thursday retreat ended, participants turned in feedback forms. The comments were supportive, instructive, and constructive, filled with suggestions on how to make the next iteration of the in-person retreat even better. As the organizers met at the Toasted Owl Cafe a few weeks later to read through everything, they realized parking rated a “met expectations.”
“Well, that’s disappointing,” said one host.
“Parking is parking. I guess it will never exceed expectations.”
“We could offer valet services.”
Laughter rose above the café din.
Thank You to Our Volunteer Event Team
Phoenix Oasis Press relies on the generosity of area volunteers who give of their time and knowledge to help other Valley authors grow. From content planning to logistics, workshop preparation to design, and everything that happens between the lines, we couldn’t do this without their support. Thank you.
To learn more about the next retreat, click here.
ABOUT MARY CORNELIUS
MARY AND HER HUSBAND SHARE THEIR HOME WITH THEIR OLDER DAUGHTER AND HER TWO TEENAGE BOYS IN PEORIA, AZ. MARY BLOGS ABOUT HOUSE SHARING, RETIREMENT, AND AGING, AND ENJOYS PLAYING THE PIANO IN A LOCAL HOSPITAL LOBBY. SHE DIVIDES HER TIME BETWEEN ARIZONA, CHICAGO, AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. FOLLOW HER AT CORNELIUSBLOGS.COM.