This is a four-night writing immersion if you have a book, or a writing project, in your heart. You may be a new writer, or an experienced writer who simply needs time away from your life to really settle into your writing. You will join writing coach Sarah Bullen on a journey into quiet, and into your story. This is a midsummer retreat just outside Cape Town, South Africa.
Mornings will be a structured class with afternoons free to pour your words onto the page. We gather in the evenings for reading, feedback and storytelling.
I have writers of many different levels coming on these retreats. Some are starting a book and need more guidance, others working on the 2nd or 3rd books. Still other writers join to journal or write poetry. Each writer has two personal sessions with me to focus on your project and work on your writing plans and material.
For those who need a push, my structured evening sessions will show you how to write, edit and market your book, find a structure, character, plot, advanced plotting and pace, how to construct scenes, best writing techniques, timelines and schedules, genre and finding your voice, preparing your manuscript, how to approach publishers, how to write your marketing material, new publishing models.
All writing genre's are welcome on this retreat - novels, memoir, non-fiction, poetry, children's books.It will guide you through the process of writing a book from start to finish. You need nothing but your ideas in order to attend.
I love to get writers away from their lives and into a longer writing immersion. I have found in my own writing that it is the only way I can dive into a book and make any sort of progress. So, much of the time will be spent writing.
Mornings will be a structured class with writing support, and afternoons free to pour your words onto the page.
It is a challenge to act on your desire and get that book started, or finished.
THE VENUE The retreat is held in Temenos, McGregor. McGregor is a charming, well-preserved mid 19th century village just two hours out of Cape Town with its quaint, thatched cottages. It sits at the foot of the Riversonderend Mountains in the Western Cape.The beautiful gardens offer a contemplative milieu to support your embrace of inner stillness and silence. There are many spaces within the grounds where you can withdraw to for quiet meditation or reflection. It is the ideal space for rest and relaxation and to let the muse of writing find you. This is a nurturing space where self-discovery, empowerment and deep healing can be explored. There are 14 cottages offering a variety of accommodation. You have the choice of double or twin beds and bathrooms with a shower or a bath. All our cottages are en suite and have private patios and a fireplace.
COST 2021
Single room R11,700 (9 single cottages available)
Deposit R4,000. Full payment by 14 February.
Sharing room R7,900 per person. (only sharing with friend /family and Covid compliant) Deposit R4,000 per person. Full payment by 14 February.
Please note a deposit is required to secure your place. This is non-refundable as per our T&Cs. Please be clear before your book as places fill up fast. We can jump on a quick call to discuss if this is right for you.
COST INCLUDES
* 4 nights accommodation at the most beautiful space in cottages.
* All meals at Tebaldi restaurant
* A guided writing process
* A one-on-one session
* Structured feedback on your project
* All course fees
* A self catering kitchen in your cottage with tea, coffee and a fridge for all your extra snacks or particular food.
COST EXCLUDES
* Flights
* Transfers to or from Cape Town (we will organise a transfer bus at an agreed fee)
* Massages, body work, or any additional services
"The group is intimate and we are gathering in the most beautiful and magical of landscapes for a five-night retreat in LATE summer.
Itenary
Wednesday 10 March 2021 · Arrive & explore this magical garden with its many sanctuaries · 4pm Opening writing session in Caritas Library · Sunset Labyrinth walk and writing feedback · Dinner at Tebaldi’s Thursday 11 March 2021 · Morning writing · Breakfast · Writing session with feedback · Personal writing sessions or focussed writing time · Lunch · Writing time · Walks in the village (optional) · Dinner at Tebaldi’s Friday 12 March 2021 · Morning writing · Breakfast buffet · Writing session · Personal writing sessions or focussed writing time · Lunch · Writing time · Gather for writing feedback and reading · Dinner at Tebaldi’s and guest speaker Saturday 13 March 2021 · Morning writing · Breakfast buffet · Group writing session · Personal writing sessions or focussed writing time · Lunch · Writing time · Gather for writing feedback and reading · Dinner at Tebaldi’s and storytelling Sunday 20 Sept 2020 · Morning writing · Farewell Breakfast · Closing Circle You may stay the night on Sunday at no extra charge but meals (Lunch/Dinner/Monday's breakfast) to be self-catered/on own account and time spent as you wish.
TESTIMONIALS
"Thank you so much for an unforgettable week in Tulbach. The beautiful feminine energy, the gentle, nurturing environment that blended with the physical care taken with the healthy, organic food, yoga sessions and massages all conspired to bringing about a luxurious introspection into spaces that I have allowed to become dusty corners of my imagination." - Carin Combrink, Forgotten Waterfall, 2019 "I spent this last week with Sarah and the other writers at the Write your Novel Retreat in the Cape. This was truly the most inspiring and motivating thing I have ever done for myself. Sarah's guidance is invaluable. Working our way through the writing process with Sarah has left me feeling far more equipped to pursue my dream. And her personal insights into my project has taken it to another level. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone, regardless of where you are writing wise. Amazing experience." - Hanri Mostert, 2017 "This 'write a novel' course was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. Thank you Sarah and Anel!" - Kate, 2017 "Dear Sarah. That was the best writing course I’ve ever been on. Thank you so much. I learned so much, and I can apply it immediately to my third novel." - Helen Brain (Elevation Trilogy) 2018 "This retreat was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. Thank you Sarah and Anel!" - Kate Baxter, 2017