Sea kayaking at La Partida, where the sea turtles feed, Isla Espiritu Santo
A “Bucket List” Retreat February 9-16, 2014: Write & Retreat: Isla Espiritu Santo. Spend a week on an unspoiled desert isle so beautiful that Sunset Magazine ranked it number one of in its list of islands to visit, surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez. Wake to the lapping of waves on the shore, and the thwacking noise as pelicans diving into the clear water after schooling fish. Spend half of each day honing your writing dreams: writing, workshopping your work and in individual conferences; and the rest playing. Sea kayak with flying fish and sea turtles, snorkel with sea lions, hike to hidden desert springs and petroglyph sites, fish… and eat food prepared fresh by our own camp cook. Interested? Download the flyer for details.
Your warmth and generosity and wisdom have touched me deeply. – Writing retreat participant
The Sangre de Cristo Range visible from the pools at Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa.
Sign up for next year’s version of this successful workshop March 20-23, 2014: Write & Retreat: Cranes & Hot Springs, Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa, San Luis Valley, Colorado. Does your creative drive drag by the end of winter? Is your writing spirit in need of renewal? Join me for a four-day “time out” for creative rejuvenation focused on writing and inspiration from the natural world. Practice ways to refresh your writing and take your creative life to new, richer levels; take a field trip to watch sandhill cranes dance their mating rituals and listen to their haunting calls; return spirit to your day with morning yoga, contemplative time, and hot spring soaks. Read and write and eat healthy, delicious meals prepared by Salida’s renowned Ploughboy Local Market; count the stars blazing overhead in a black night sky. Leave renewed, ready to weave your creativity into each and every day. Space in this small-group workshop is limited. Look at this year’s brochure for an idea of the details: W&R Hot Springs
Write & Retreat was perfect–do not change a thing! Please reserve a space for me for next year. — Workshop participant
Thank you for sending me out to look at the stars last night before I went to bed and for giving me a push in the direction of taking charge of my dream of being a writer. – Workshop participant
CUSTOM WORKSHOPS
Are you looking for inspiration for your conference, symposium, group or corporation? I speak and teach from the heart, informed by my life experiences, education and craft. The workshops below are examples of what I teach, and can be customized to suit the audience and the length of time available, from a few hours to a week. Email me, and let’s talk!
You are an excellent teacher and mentor. I don’t know if I would have explored this road without your workshop. – Workshop participant
Creative Writing
What do the words we use mean? And how can we call on their essential power to guide our craft and imagination? Build a “word prompt ring” with key words to motivate and inform writing and life.
FINDING VOICE AND GRACE IN THE “HARD STUFF”
How do we handle the hard stuff in our writing? How do we write about the issues that are controversial, painful, or just no fun? Practice writing techniques that strengthen our voices and reveal the grace and wisdom to be found in tough times and tough writing.
This was my favorite workshop at the conference. It gave me great tools for dealing with current issues in my writing. –Writing the Hard Stuff workshop participant
Use the techniques of scientists to sharpen your observation skills and bring the richness of detail to your work. Draw on the lessons of nature to stimulate your creativity and hone your words.
TAKE ONE A DAY: HAIKU AS WRITING PRACTICE
Show up! is one of the most difficult tenets of writing. The ancient art of haiku teaches us how to be present and make use of every moment. Think you don’t have time to write? Try one haiku a day, and watch your creativity grow and your words come forth.
Gardening & Landscaping
CULTIVATING A SUSTAINABLE KITCHEN GARDEN
We really are what we eat! Whether you tend a large garden plot or just a few pots, find out how growing your own food can make your body, table and community healthier.
She was my favorite presenter–bring her back, please! –Cultivating a Sustainable Kitchen Garden workshop participant
PLANTING A THRIVING GARDEN COMMUNITY
How do you find the plants that will thrive on your site? What can you do to keep them healthy and to attract the other species that help your garden flourish? Learn how to grow and tend a happy, sustainable garden.
COACHING
I work with a small number of individual clients, helping them recognize and articulate their stories, real and imagined, from practice and organization to flow and lyricism–and also publishing. Clients have included novelists, writers of memoir and creative nonfiction, and speakers with great ideas. Email me for details.
Your comments were exactly what I needed. I can’t thank you enough for your attention to my writing. – Memoir writer and coaching client
Thanks for breathing life into my words. You bring a story to life with what you leave out. – TED speaker
Pingback: At home and in the garden | Susan J. Tweit