Writing Retreats
I’ve always been intrigued by the story of Thomas Merton (1915-1968), the well-known Trappist monk and prolific author. One of the things that fascinates me most is the explosion of writing that erupted from his pen once he entered the monastery. He was bright, talented, and creative in his pre-monastic days but was also dissipated, unfocused, and unorganized. But all that changed at the Abbey of Gethsemani. It was as if the fire in him needed the “hearth” of monastic life in order to burn brightly: rising at the same time daily, participating in communal prayers at prescribed hours, doing manual labor between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., and having the afternoons to write … day after day, week after week, and so on across the span of his life. Once the strong and steady rhythms of his day were were firmly established, his writing took off.
The “big idea” of this retreat is to help writers (aspiring and established) build momentum for their projects (books, essays, poetry, theses, dissertations) and move them toward completion. We’ll create a hearth for the fire: meals at set times, prayers (morning, midday, evening, night) and mutual encouragement. I’ll function as an abbot of sorts, orienting the group, leading the prayers, and being present at meals, and enjoying the open evening time with you. All you have to do is write, and if the thought of that brings tears to your eyes, you should probably sign up now.
Each writer will have her / his own private room with a big writing table. (We have Wi-Fi, so any research you may need to do on the internet is covered.) The rooms are spacious, uncluttered, clean, comfortable (with their own heating/cooling controls) and have big writing desks.
Understand that if you come, you’re agreeing to the schedule for meals, prayers, and the idea of writing in community. Just repeat to yourself, “Structure is my friend.” (If you want to follow your own writing schedule and take your meals privately, feel free to schedule a personal retreat for a different time.)
Good coffee — we’re coffee snobs by the way — and tea will be available early in the morning and through the day. We’ll also have fresh fruit, nuts and other healthy snacks for you to enjoy when you need to take a short break from your work.
The Schedule
Arrive anytime Sunday afternoon or evening to get settled in your room and oriented. Most writing retreats will end Friday with the noon meal. (The July and October retreats, reserved for D. Min. students from George Fox University, will go a day longer).
7:00 . . . morning prayers
7:15 . . . breakfast
8-12 . . . writing
Noon . . . midday prayers
12:15 . . . lunch
1-6 . . . writing (maybe factor in a brief nap and some exercise)
6:00 . . . evening prayers
6:15 . . . dinner
7:30 . . . open time
Think of the open evening time as the reward for having given yourself to the craft of writing during the day . We’ll have drinks — monks enjoyed ale, so we will too — dessert and conversation about life and writing. You can share excerpts from your day’s work, talk through a problem or impasse, get feedback from others, or just wind down and put your writing to bed until the next day.
9:00 . . . compline
9:15 . . . the Great Silence
2010 Dates
February 1-5 (arrive Sunday afternoon/evening, leave Friday after noon meal)
March 8-12 (ditto)
May 3-7 (ditto)
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June 21-26 (reserved for D.Min. students from George Fox University)
August 16-21 (reserved for D.Min. students from George Fox University)
October 4-9 (reserved for D.Min. students from George Fox University)
Cost
You can take advantage of this writing retreat for only $390. This covers 5 nights, 15 meals, snacks and the benefit of dedicated time with a writing community. To confirm your spot, go to our secure server and select “special event”. In the comment box please write the dates of the writing retreat you’re signing up for.
Looking forward to a great week of spilling ink,
Dave Nixon