Catharine Bramkamp

Writer's Retreat

Bramkamp — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:27:11 GMT

I loved the idea of a writer’s retreat. A day or whole weekend away to concentrate just on writing seemed not only like heaven, but increasingly seemed necessary.

But explaining to my better half why spending $500 to write was “necessary” was beyond even my fervid imagination. What to do?
I created my own writing retreat.
I rented the family cabin at the coast – on a weekday because that was less expensive – and I invited members of my writing group to attend.
The perfect retreat location will have limited cell phone coverage and no Internet access. The Marin and Sonoma Coast of California has both features.

I asked my guests to pay $40 for the day, first to cover the cost of the rental and lunch (I provided lunch) and second because if guests pay; it makes the venture all that more serious, and honors the work they will be doing at the retreat.
I created a schedule for the day to give the retreat some structure.

If you have new writers who need inspiration and help - then the schedule will help focus and break up the day. At our first retreat, the two (okay it was a small retreat) writers who came had clear needs and they were thrilled with the opportunity to spend concentrated time on their projects. So we didn’t need to follow the schedule as closely.

Here is our schedule:
A Day at the Beach
Writer’s Retreat

Back by popular demand

December 18, 2008
The only thing one can give an artist is leisure in which to work.
To give an artist leisure is actually to take part in his creation.
-Ezra Pound

9:00 AM welcome and introductions
•        Share our writing projects in a general way and what we want to accomplish today

10:00 to 12:00 Write

12:00 lunch and discussion
•        Talk about our work, you are welcome to share your current work for feedback and discussion.
We are all obligated to deliver encouraging feedback.

1:00 Break.
•        Walk on the Beach
•        Nap in the sun

2:00 – 4:00 Write
•        Inspirational quotes, ideas and discussion on your own work or ideas for other’s work.
•        Ten Minute Write

4:00
•        Wine and cheese because this is California
•        Walk on the beach
•        Discuss works, ideas for future projects
•        Discuss ideas for the next Writer’s Retreat

The results were excellent! One writer found the inspiration to re-structure the first chapter of her novel. The other participant was able to break through her writer’s block that had lasted for over a year. I consider that huge success.
And me, I spent the day revising the final draft of my novel Time is of the Essence.

We are planning another retreat for December.
So don’t wait for the time or the money to jump start a project, create something close by; find solitude, sandwiches and sand, and have a wonderful day at your own retreat.

Got a Book in You?

Bramkamp — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:23:21 GMT

Writing services:

3 meeting seminar (three or more students for three weeks) - $120.00 per person/ per seminar
Personal coaching (first half hour is no charge) $200.00/month - five sessions per month
Personal face to face meeting - $50.00/hour

What can be addressed:

Permission to write
how to write, how to be a writer

Inspiration to continue writing

writer's block

traveling journaling
Book promotion
publishing
putting you family genealogical research into a book length narrative
memoir

This is just the beginning we can work together to tailor a program that works for you!

Writing Advice

Bramkamp — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:26:55 GMT

Here is a short, and shockingly incomplete list of my favorite writing books.

Writing Down the Bones & Wild Mind Natalie Goldberg
More Zen approach to writing, Goldberg is at her best with these two - her first books.   Her advice and roots are in the automatic writing craze in the mid- 19th century as well as Jack Kerouac and his theory of spontaneous writing.
Goldberg believes we are all writers and she is kind and encouraging in her advice to both the novice writer and the advance writer.

Bird by Bird   Anne Lamott (local writer, lives in Marin) Most of her work is spiritual and recovery oriented. She's a more Christian writer in her approach. Bird by Bird, one of her first books and only book on writing, is her best.

Poemcrazy Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge
Even if you don't write poems, this book will help you jar out of your regular habits and see and write about the world in a different way.

The Artists Way & The Right to Write   Julia Cameron
Cameron is famous already so she tends to lapse into moments of poor me getting by with only a handful of famous friends book contracts and a substantial Income from her ex- Martin Scorsese. She is spiritual as well and her advice has a more Christian focus. She, like Goldberg promotes the idea of a little writing every day. Goldberg calls it 10- minute write, Cameron calls the work, Morning Pages.
These two books - the original Artist Way and the Right to Write are Cameron's best. Which hasn't stopped me from buying too many of her recent books, many of which repeat the advice from the first Artist Way copy.