The Daily Flow Of The 2022 Writing Retreat

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Sunrise: 
Wake up to the sunrise over the ocean. It’s truly spectacular!
Breakfast: 8:15-9:00 am
Blueberry muffins, fresh fruit or berries, oatmeal, yogurt, eggs and bacon, fruit juice, pancakes, a great selection of teas, and freshly-ground are coffee prepared by our fabulous chef, Cas Dowden. This is not your usual retreat food!!
Morning Session: 9:15-12:30
As we move into our sessions, it is important to think of ourselves as storytellers. I was fortunate enough to have worked with one of the best editors in the publishing world. I wrote five books with him. I remember when he said to me, "Emily, don't ever become an author. Always be a storyteller."

At first, startled by this remark, I fianlly understood what he meant. As a writer, my primary goal is not to worry about fame and fortune, nor is it of any great value to fall in love with words. My goal is to write a damn good story.

Why do I tell you this while discussing the Daily Flow of the Retreat? So that you understand the fun, flow, and passion of my Retreats ​aren't about writing alone. The week is imbued with the mystery, energy, and purpose of writing fiction with great plots and fascinating, well-developed characters whose stories capture all of the reader's' senses.
​This is the experience of my Retreats. It is a exciting, fun, and profound week where we do some great writing as we invite the Muse herself into our Circle. 

Now, onto writing on the Retreat! We have two writing sessions a day. In the morning and after the afternoon break. We use prompts, images and various writing exercises I’ve designed to stimulate your imagination, open to new characters, and develop your stories. 

Writing in the Circle is a surprisingly empowering experience. With everyone scribbling away, your imagination is freer, worry fades and you write, write, write. Every day, you'll have this experience!
​​After writing for up to 60 minutes, we read and critique stories. Since most of the writing is first draft, critiquing takes the form of “What If?”  and "What I'd like to know is..." as well as other powerful critiquing tools.
** Be sure to read this if you have not worked with Emily yet: ​Good Critiquing Always Inspires. It Never Deflates.**
​After a delicious lunch, we have two-and-a-half hours of personal time:
  • Sit by our shorefront and read, meditate, doze, or watch the cormorants fishing.
  • Walk along our beautiful, private road with a new friend or chat with others.
  • Work on your scene from the morning.
  • ​Some days we explore places in Acadia National Park. Attendance is not required, but here are some examples:
​            1. The Naturalist Cruise in Frenchman's Bay 
            2. Drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain.             
            3. Drive through Acadia with stops along the way.
            5. Explore the town, shop, indulge in a must-have
                 Bar Harbor ice cream cone.  
Picture
Taking off on the Naturalist Cruise in 2019!
Afternoon Session: 3:30-5:30 pm
Some days we write more on our stories, we read and critique, and some afternoons I come up with a surprise creative experience! 
​Dinner: 5:30-7:15
Dinners are always a feast! Cas is great at accommodating special dietary needs, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, low-salt, shellfish allergy, etc.
After dinner, we come together in casual evening gatherings for open readings (up to 20 minutes). This can be something you’ve written in the past or on the retreat. The open readings are for our listening pleasure and are highlights of the retreat. 
​The Night:
When the evening session is over, take time to immerse yourself in the magic of the Maine starlit skies and moonlight ocean.
RESERVE NOW. Call EMILY: 914-962-4433
​ OR EMAIL: EMILY@EMILYHANLON.COM
Picture
Listening to open readings.