Stranger than Fiction: an in-person writing retreat
Stranger than Fiction: an in-person writing retreat
Friday-Tuesday, July 19-23
Optional Bonus Day, through July 24
STRANGER THAN FICTION:
a writing retreat on the relationship between truth and lies in any genre
Register by July 4 for a $50 discount and for greater options in housing
Optional Bonus Day, extending to July 24 for additional writing time
Every story is a meeting point between truth and lies, fact and fiction, memory and imagination. Or, as Timothy O’Brien put it, “story-truth is truer sometimes than happening-truth.” In a time when the difference between truth and lies is especially important, what are the writer’s responsibilities and options for sharing and illuminating truth?
This writing retreat invites you to explore the complex relationship between truth and lies – in human experience and in your own writing. Whether you’re writing for publication or for yourself, whether you’re embarking on a new project or continuing to work on a writing piece started long ago, this retreat will provide encouragement, centering, and creative practices for engaging the struggles, joy and compassion of the human heart as you put pen to page or fingers to keyboard.
The retreat is for experienced and emerging writers alike, and for writers of fiction, memoir, poetry and other forms. It offers:
personal time for your own writing projects;
optional daily guided writing sessions to spur your muse;
gentle qigong and tai ji to listen to your body; and
community meals and daily circles for abundant conversation, insight and laughter in creative exchanges with writing friends, new and old.
An evening reading for sharing your work with others.
Attend on your own, or with a writing partner or group. Together, we’ll share the gifts and challenges of the writing life, supported by the Christine Center’s generous hospitality, delicious and nourishing meals, peaceful natural setting, and opportunities for silent meditation and spiritual direction or unleashing creativity in the arts studio.
Register early to receive a $50 discount and for greatest availability of housing options. To add a bonus un-programmed day of writing, consider extending your stay to Wednesday.
2024 Writing Retreat Schedule: Friday, July 19–Tuesday, July 23
See below for optional Bonus Day, leaving on Wednesday, July 24
Friday
3-5 pm Arrival
5:30 pm Dinner
7-9 pm Opening Circle/Blessing Our Writing (in the Meditation Hall)*
Saturday-Monday
8 am Breakfast
Morning Writing (or R&R) Time
11:45 Midday Circle*
12:30 Lunch
Afternoon Writing (or R&R) Time
2:30-4:00 pm Guided Writing Session (optional)*
5:30 Dinner
7-9 pm Evening gathering/conversation*
(Monday night: group reading)
Tuesday
8:00 Breakfast
10-11:30 am Closing Circle/Blessing for Road*
12:30 pm Lunch and Farewells
* All program gatherings will be held in the Meditation Hall unless we make plans for an evening campfire time.
Optional Unprogrammed Bonus Day:
Consider adding 24 hours to your retreat time to carry your writing momentum forward before returning home. You can book an extra day of housing and meals to continue your writing while sharing meals and (optionally) tai ji with Karen and other Bonus Day lingerers. Karen is also available for manuscript consultations (for an extra fee) on the Bonus Day for those who have arranged for it and submitted a writing excerpt before the retreat.
Bonus Day “Schedule”
Tuesday after lunch
Afternoon Writing or R&R Time
5:30 pm Dinner
Evening Writing or R&R Time
Wednesday
8:00 Breakfast
9 am Tai ji with Karen
12:30 pm Lunch and Departure
Accommodations
The Christine Center offers four kinds of accommodations, including: both modern and rustic hermitages that are unique and simple, guest house and retreat center rooms, and tent camping spots. Single, double, and triple occupancy are available. Register early for the best availability if you have particular needs or wishes.
Registration is available through the Christine Center. Your early registration not only offers a discounted price but will also give you the greatest variety in housing options — and it inspires the work I put in preparing the content for the retreat!
I’ve been leading an annual writing retreat for ten years now and I always enjoy the gathering of writers — both the extraordinary work of words that happens on each participant’s pages and the community that forms among us as we explore the joys and challenges of the writing life.
Here’s how participants in recent years have described their experience:
“I would heartily recommend the writing retreats offered by Karen Hering. She seamlessly weaves together encouragement, education, deep spirituality, challenge, provocation and connection while holding wide the container of safety and bravery from which our writers’ voices can emerge.” 2020 and 2022 participant
“The guided writing sessions were very helpful. Each day of the retreat built on the previous day. Thank you!!” 2023 participant
“Karen inspires me not just to write but to change.” 2023 participant
“I did my best writing in this retreat. Karen facilitated a deep dive into our hearts and spirits to discover the important words needing to be expressed on the page. Then she created a safe space for us to share them.” 2022 and 2023 participant
“This was great for me! Loved the balance between together and alone time.”
2023 participant
Visit the Christine Center for information and registration.