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You love to write. You like to write. You think you’d like to write. You used to write.
Writing brings you home.
Even though you may find it hard to say, “I am a writer,” your heart knows it’s true.
Guess what? Three of the most loving yet kick-but (as in “no more buts”) authors want to help you write with more ease, more élan, and a whole lot more flow.
“Your retreat affected me deeply. You each shared so many inspiring ideas. I am learning to trust what comes through me, to sit in receptivity to it and, to take action when inspiration comes! This has resulted in a daily writing practice and blog. You’ve made a greater impact than I ever imagined.” –Maggie Hollinbeck, www.maggiesnest.org
Please join best-selling authors and experienced teachers Jen Louden, Susan Piver, and Patti Digh (here on out to be called DiLoPi) for a heart-expanding, writing refreshing day bursting with learning, craft, and creativity.
Friday September 23rd 7-9 pm
and
Saturday September 24th 10-5 pm
Arts at the Armory
Somerville, Mass.
Each of us will share our startlingly fresh, deeply practical, and wonderfully nurturing perspectives on various aspects of this mystery called writing.
If you want and need to write, but sometimes it feels like it hurts too much or takes too long or doesn’t come out in your voice or wonder what is the point??? then this retreat will provide liberation, self-love, and laughter.
Here’s what you’ll get out of a workshop with DiLoPi:
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You will leave with your shoulders relaxed, your heart softened, and your fingers twitching to get to that writing.
And with a few new friends to support you along the way.
“Three beautiful women who happen to be stunning writers, talking about writing. What more could one want? The chance to sit in the same room with Jen, Patti, and Susan was 100% privilege. To be mentored and guided in tangible and generous ways was gift beyond-belief. And to experience their presence and companionship with me in the writing process, inspired and invited more than I could have imagined or hoped. I now write more – and better. Further, I believe more deeply than ever before that what I have to say must be said.” –Ronna Detrick, www.ronnadetrick.com
“Writing often feels like this mysterious craft that nobody will explain (except to tell you to “just write!”). Yes, “just write” is part of it. But there are more parts too, and something in me relaxed to receive these clues to the next steps beyond just showing up at the page. This workshop answered a need to know what good writing is–what I’m aiming for — and to know that there is a process I can follow to produce it.” –Emma, www.emmamccreary.com,
Schedule
Subject to change because every retreat is unique and we like to respond to what you need
Friday Evening (arrive a tad early we will start on time!)
7-8 DiLoPi opening remarks, centering, and writing warm-ups. Otherwise known as “Getting here and letting yourself be here.” Then we point out how you can do these things at home.
Benefits: Feeling safe and grounded so you can learn, as well as fresh easy ways to approach writing. Oh and maybe a little chocolate, too.
8-9 Yes And – Laugh, hang out, and connect with Patti, Jen, and Susan, and with your fellow writers.
Benefits: Energy! Zest for life! Connection!
Saturday
Doors open 9:45 – please arrive early as we will start on time
10:00-10:20 – DiLoPi get you writing
10:30 – One Taste – Meditation, Creativity, and Joy: How Doing One of These Makes You Do All Three with Susan Piver
Susan will discuss where creativity actually comes from and how to have continual access to this source. She will give meditation instruction and explore its relationship to fearlessness and creativity. She will teach you how to establish a daily routine that gets words written and propels you down your unique spiritual path.
Benefits: fear won’t rule you anymore; you can get started on that project; you can stay with your discomfort and go deep and more!
11:15-12:30 A Million Ways to Kiss Your Writing into Being with Jen Louden
Jen will offer you her very favorite ways to find (and keep finding) your creative authenticity and voice, including ways to use your body to create energy and access fresh ideas, and she’ll introduce you to her favorite craft tips! (As in writing craft, no Popsicle sticks required.)
Benefits: being in the mood to write won’t matter anymore, time will feel more forgiving, the journal/rough draft phase will feel like an inviting place to build a great piece.
12:30-1:30 Lunch break (lunch is included in the price of the day – yeah!) We will help you connect and have great conversations during lunch; no awkward eating alone and making small talk.
1:30-2:45 Put Down Your Clever and Pick up Your Ordinary with Patti Digh
Patti believes if you’re alive, you’re a writer and an artist. She will lead you through exercises to spark a deeper creative process and explore the relationship you have with your story/art. She’ll help you create a new story while telling your stories.
Benefits: New ideas flowing, fresh faith, and itty-bitty simple ways to keep returning to your source and write from there. Freedom!
3:00-4:00 Writers: Take Your Mark or This is the Part Where We Write with DiLoPi
We will give you an hour of writing energy and prompts and fun that will blow you open to new material and give you clear jumping off places to keep writing. Stuck on a project – no more!
Benefits: New ideas, new energy, new direction, and knowing where to go next.
4:00 -5:00 Panel discussion w/ DiLoPi in which you lob your questions and we make up answers.
Benefits: Laughter, integration of what you’ve learned, and fun. Fun is key!
“DiLoPi taught me to sidestep my fear about writing and come from a space of presence, strength, and wholeness. I am still learning what my story has to teach me. I have heaps of gratitude to these three for shining the light!” – Lailey Jenkins
But What if Everybody Else Who Comes Is a Talented Writer and Is Wearing Leather and Can Converse about Serious Literature but Me?
Otherwise known as “Will I fit in?”
You will!
You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t have these thoughts (and if you don’t, yeah for you!) and for some weird reason, these thoughts tend to multiply around the word “writers” and “writing” and “creativity.”
Hopefully, from reading one or all of our blogs and books, you will know that the combined team of DiLoPi are all about authenticity, acceptance, and audacity, which means you will fit right in.
Hopefully, you know one or all of us as wide open about our warts and fears and strengths and talents which means we make it safe to be you.
Seriousness does not tend to follow the three of us, except seriousness about loving life and wanting to express that life joyously and creatively every single day. It’s all about love, we’re all about love, and you will fit, pinkie swear.
“That day I spent Walking Through Fire let me know I AM A WRITER!!! I gained 3 new and close friends who GET IT. When I first arrived, I felt like I was the only FAKE in the room. By afternoon break, I was as worthy as anyone else to be there. Thank you for all of that AND all of the rest of the retreat. I really know in my heart-of-hearts now that I can write–whatever and whenever–I want and need to.” – Janet
What Kind of Writers Will Attend?
All kinds – from bloggers to closet journalers, from published poets to nascent screenwriters, from self-help authors to mid-draft novelists, from published to hiding your writing under your mattress, all are welcome. All of you will get what you need.
If you need support and love on your writing journey, if you need a shot in the arm of juice, if you want new tools that you may never have encountered, then we extend a heart-felt invitation to join us as we walk into the fire of writing, together.
“DiLoPi are wonderfully real, imperfect women who know what it’s like to have inner critics and be afraid and yet still do. Walking through the fire with them, and the other magnificent women attending, was sacred inspiration and helped me find the courage not only to write again but to use my voice to speak my own truth in other areas of my life! Thank you!” –Chris
The Specifics:Friday September 23rd 7-9 pm Please wear clothes you can move in and bring a notebook and pen unless you can’t write by hand; computers are okay if necessary. Location: The Center for Arts at the Armory Price $325 until September 22After that pricing will be $350 at the door.
We have received special room pricing at the Le Méridien Cambridge-MIT for attendees. Use this link and make your reservation.Other nearby hotels: Want to know how to get around from hotel to venue without a rental car? Click here. |
Cancellation Policy:
IF YOU HAVE TO CANCEL (please don’t, you don’t want to miss this rare DiLoPi writing lovefest!)
If you cancel before August 1st, 2011, we will refund $250 of your $300.
If you cancel after August 1st, and we can fill your place, we will refund everything but $50.
If we cannot fill your spot, we cannot refund any monies due to our contract with the venue. Sorry!!!
Why do we keep $50 bucks? So you’ll be sure to be sure you can actually come before you commit.
The Teachers:
Jen Louden Jennifer is the author of six books, including The Woman’s Comfort Book and The Life Organizer. A student of personal growth since the age of 12 when she stole her sister’s copy of Be Here Now, she’s written a monthly column for Body+Soul, hosted a national radio show, facilitated workshops in places as diverse as multi-national banks, Saks 5th Avenue, and the Canadian wilderness, and coached hundreds of clients. She’s been on Oprah, been interviewed in most major magazines, and her websites help thousands of readers each month. She’s most proud of being Lilly’s mom.
Susan Piver is the author of five books, including New York Times bestseller, The Hard Questions, (Penguin-Putnam) and the award-winning How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life (St. Martin’s Press). Her latest book is The Wisdom of a Broken Heart (Simon & Schuster). The graduate of a Buddhist seminary, she wrote the relationships column for body + soul magazine, is a frequent contributor to The Shambhala Sun, and the meditation expert and contributor at drweil.com. Susan is a frequent guest on network television, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today, and The Tyra Banks Show.
Patti Digh is the author of six books, the first of which was a Fortune magazine “Best Business Book” for the year 2000. Her bestselling book, Life is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally, was a “Books for a Better Life” finalist and “Book of the Year” nominee with a devoted following worldwide. Her latest books, Four-Word Self-Help: Simple Wisdom for Complex Lives and Creative is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, See More, and Live Deeper, were published in the fall of 2010, and her most recent, What I Wish for You: simple wisdom for a happy life, was published in April 2011. She continues to blog at www.37days.com.
We hope you will join us for a day of feasting on the goodness of creating in community.
We are dedicated to your well-being as a creative person. Thank you for considering our retreat.
“Since I took DiLoPi’s writing workshop in Portland, OR, I now get up at 6 am to write and have kept this practice daily without fail. The results are that I am writing a weekly blog post, I am contributing a chapter to a book in April, and I’m writing guest blogs. I have always wanted to write yet never felt I was a writer. I am now a writer. If you truly want to write, sign up for their workshop.” –Sherold Barr