SORRY WE ARE FULL…
Please email debATjenniferlouden.com if you would like to be placed on waitlist.
You love to write. You like to write. You think you’d like to write.
For sure you know that if you had time free of distractions, you would write that thing burning in you, get it onto the page.
Oh, and it would be pretty darn great if someone was serving you delicious food, and there was a cracker-jack coach on hand to hold yours when you got stuck.
You know what would be extra good? A supportive circle of women to cackle with. (Yep, this is a women-only retreat.)
How about heart-fueling, creativity-expanding writing seminars to melt away your fears and charge you up with sparkly, crackling inspiration?
And while you’re dreaming, why not add yoga, morning dance, strolls through Taos, a labyrinth to walk, daily writing prompts and fresh baked goods (aha, the cream puffs!) and and and…
Sounds kinda perfect?
Hot damn because I’ve got that and more cooked up and I would love, love, love to share it with you. Already know you want to come? Click here.
Jennifer Louden (that’s me)
invites you (yes, you) to
a truly life-changingly fabulous writing retreat
Sunday, July 22 – Saturday, July 28, 2012
The Mabel Dodge Luhan House
Taos, New Mexico
“Jen, bless you. Bless your expansive, all encompassing smile that wraps itself around everyone like a comfortable blanket that never ends. Your inviting prompt, ‘What do I want?’ that opened doors to desires in my heart I have never given voice to. Your ability to pair souls together in a way that leads to friendship. Your magnetism that attracted a group of women who each provided a unique thread in an intricate tapestry of support, camaraderie, conversation and chocolate. You brought me full circle back to my being. I hope to be part of your wonderful magic again soon!” — Dianna Bonny, 2011
Who it’s really for:
This week-long play and write and eat and laugh and learn and write more fest is made for you if you’ve just got to get some writing done and you need a mighty mainline dose of self-nurturing and mojo reclamation.
Could be you’ve never written much or you’ve been putting it off for years or maybe you journal all the time or maybe you’re writing your fiftieth book.
If you want and need to write, this is the retreat that was created with you in mind.
This isn’t like any other writer’s retreat or workshop out there.
Here’s what we aren’t going to do:
- We aren’t going to critique our work.
- We aren’t going to diagram sentences (even writing that makes me a little green around the gills).
- We aren’t going to network to get published.
- Actually, we aren’t even going to talk much about publishing (although I will answer any questions I can).
This is about you and what you really need.
This is a place to unwind, slow down, lower your shoulders and get reacquainted with your creative juice, your truth, your voice and your vision.
It’s a cozy refuge where you renew and nurture your connection to why you must create and how it fits with your reason for being. It’s about creating–and living–with tender gentle kindness, so you can plug in to LOVE whenever you need it.
The only difference between people who create and people who don’t is the people who do don’t believe the mean voices in their heads.
“The retreat was exactly the kind of soul-nourishing experience I’ve been wanting to give myself. It was the perfect blend of guidance and open space. I loved the free dance in the morning, the writing prompts, and the small group was perfect! Being in Taos was transformational. It brought me back to myself in a new way and reminded me why I am here. It was beautiful!” — Isabel Partlett, soundbiteshaman.com, 2011
What will you actually get out of this week?
- You’ll get writing done. A bunch of writing, if you wish.
- You’ll write with more ease and more juice and more truth.
- You’ll get to feel joy and life and fun again–yes, that good stuff. Really and truly.
- You’ll feel less alone. Ever feel like a round peg in a square hole? Not at this retreat! These are your people.
- You’ll get to rest. I mean, really, really rest. To recharge and gather strength.
- You’ll get perspective on your projects and your life, and a clearer picture of where you want to go next.
- You’ll get a rush of creative energy and the comfort of feeling less alone.
- You’ll get a serious dose of surprising, wonderful courage.
- Oh, and you’ll get the pleasure of knowing that you won’t have to cook, clean, or take care of anybody else for one whole week!
If you are afraid…
I understand. I can get pretty terrified whenever I sign up for one of these creative fuzzy-wuzzy kind of spiritual retreat things.
Whenever I think about plunking my money and precious time down, I’m sure I’ll be the only one attending with a) no talent, b) a loud obnoxious laugh, c) shyness issues, d) weird food allergies e) a tendency to burst into tears, and f) did I mention no talent?
But you know what happens when I decide to go anyway–in spite of this lovely inner voice who insists she is the voice of TRUTH? Nothing.
I find stuff to eat without gluten (and Mabel Dodge does a pretty darn good job of feeding us weird food people), I find people like me to talk to. Nobody minds my laugh as much as my daughter. Sometimes I make a real lasting friend (or two). And most of all, my level of talent doesn’t matter because I tap into that sweet deep experience of being in the flow. (Maybe some of what I create does sucks but what happens afterwards is always great as in new ideas, new flow, renewed commitment and energy.)
If you are ready to rekindle your creative love spark and experience creative breakthroughs, and give up some of the struggle and dryness and push-the-river quality that creeps into all our lives, join me and 25 like-minded women in Taos.
Some of the stuff we’ll cover in our luscious, nurturing writer’s shangrila:
Carefully designed blocks of time where your writing can flow; it’s about giving you a container that will let you access and pour out your creative juice.
Helpful, funny, chock-full-of-help petite-seminars like:
- How to write naked (with your clothes on), or: how to get to that real juicy place in your writing
- Create a writing collage like no other writing collage you can imagine
- How to turn the Inner Critic from a heckler to a helpmate who’s got your back
- How to take a rough draft or journal entry and mold into a deeper richer piece of writing
- How to start (hint: it’s not at the beginning)
- How to leave behind time monsters and shadow comforts that may block your creative work (yes, including managing email)
“It was an amazing, wonderful, perfect, lovely, relaxing, informative, delicious week for me! Jen will help show you how to nourish the writer within you no matter what stage or shape your inner writer is in. You will leave KNOWING you are a writer! I can’t wait till next year!” — Holly R. Bullard, Ed.D., 2011
Plus:
- Daily council to offer support and a place to be heard
- An on-call cracker jack writing coach–me–available for brief coaching if your writing hits a rough spot or your mind starts babbling that “who do you think you are” bullshit
- A band of allies in the women who, like you, are willing to take a risk and make time and devote resources to their writing dreams–you’re going to make some dear new friends, and yes, we love the shy introverts and the outrageous extroverts: you are embraced!
- A take-home folder of handouts to support what you’ve learned
- All level yoga with Marianne Elliott every afternoon that will help you melt away so much stuck and self-ick
- Time to explore the vibrant, creative, funky environment of Taos
- A discussion list to get to know each other beforehand (share rides! save money!) and stay in touch afterward
Click here to see tentative schedule.
Please note arrival and departure times.
“I had a lot of anxiety before I came, around feeling like a fraud as a writer and what if after spending this money and time I come away without having made any changes in my writing and creative practice? Those fears evaporated by the second day.
I came hoping for an ‘assignment’ from the universe for my next project, and I received it while brushing my teeth on the morning of the third day! I was thrilled beyond belief. I worked on my new idea the rest of the week and received crackerjack coaching from Jen. I also received gracious, positive feedback from other women, which made me think that there’s a market for this book. I’m no longer floundering, but have a clear direction for my next creative project.
Benefits of attending? The place. The conscious, creative women. The luscious food. The teaching. The times of solitude and socializing. The structure created by Jen that allowed so much to come forth. Being stirred in the cauldron of creativity where magic and transformation happen.
If you are serious about wanting time to yourself, do whatever you have to do to come to the Writers’ Retreat.” –Joanna Powell Colbert, gaiansoul.com, 2011
This retreat is NOT for you if:
- You want to learn about getting published — you can ask me all the questions you want and I will point you toward good resources but this is not a writer’s conference
- If you want a super serious event with no laughter — women work but we laugh, too.
- You want to be only around fiction writers or poets or published authors – the Writer’s Retreat draws all kinds of writers so you must like diversity
- If you want to only relax — I ask you to create during creating time not go shopping and hiking.
- If you don’t know my work at all — go read my blog or one of my books and see if we are match. Please do not come without knowing me!
“Jennifer has a magical way of creating a container for anyone to find their inner writer. If you’re ready to step deeply into your writerly self, do yourself a favor and sign up.” — Christine Frei, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
The Place
Your fee includes lodging, breakfast, lunch, snacks and all but one dinner (town is within easy walking distance) daily writing seminars, nurturing extras, daily yoga classes, on-the-spot writing coaching, and love love love.
As this is a historic building, you may encounter a good degree of “funkiness” you wouldn’t find at the Ritz but if you love stepping back in history and feeling like you are walking in Mabel’s shoes (or Georgia O’Keeffe, Ansel Adams, or even Dennis Hopper who once owned the place), you’ll love it. Rooms will be assigned in order of registration.
Smoking only in designated areas outdoors. Also, keep in mind that Taos is a high-elevation destination. It can take a little time to adjust, so you may wish to come to the area a day or two early if you know you are affected by altitude.
The Mabel Dodge Luhan House is a famous gathering spot for writers, painters, and geniuses. The house and Mabel’s hospitality inspired everyone from Carl Jung to Martha Graham and D.H. Lawrence. The food is excellent and plentiful with veggie and gluten free options when requested (via a handy form Deb sends you), with tea and cookies, fruit and nuts, always available. There are numerous nooks and crannies to write in including a magical garden across the street. The village of Taos is a 15-minute flat walk away.
Thinking about coming to one of Jen’s retreats, but not sure how to get there? Check out Jen’s info on making it a reality here!
“Jen, you really are magic. Profound thanks, huge hugs and a big You Really Changed My Life.” — Christa Gallopoulos, carryitforward.com, 2011,
Registration Requirements
This writer’s retreat is open to women writers of all levels, from beginner to professional. How do you know if you’re “a writer”? Because you write. You do not need to be published to join us! You do not need to be working on a particular project or want to “do” anything with your writing or you might be getting away to finish something big–there is room for it all.
However, I only want you to come if you really want to write–if you’re ready to make a loving creative commitment to yourself. Therefore, please send me 3-5 pages of any kind of writing (fiction, non-fiction, journal, poetry, journalism, essay, links to blog posts, etc.) that demonstrates you are willing to put pen to paper. Trust me, I’ll love it and I’ll love you! This is not about being accepted but about making a commitment.
Note: If this seems impossible, just think of it as the workshop beginning now! Allow yourself to sit with pen and paper and begin to write. If you’re not sure what to write, write about why you’d want to come to The Luscious, Nurturing Get Your Writing Done while Laughing Your Butt Off and Maybe Crying a little Too Writer’s Retreat.
Write down what comes to mind, despite what your inner critic may be screaming! Consider this a fun chance to fool around with your writing–it does not have to be award winning, deathless prose! There will be a place to submit your writing at the time you pay your deposit.
“I was a bit surprised by the depth of spirituality. My expectation had been that I would be doing my own thing, with some contact with fellow women writers, a few yoga classes, etc. But I came away with much, much more! I came away knowing what I had to do in my writing and feeling the courage to do it. Mil gracias, querida amiga.” –Patricia Santana, 2010
More on the Money Stuff (SORRY we are full please contact debATjenniferlouden.com if you want to be put on waitlist.)
Double rooms with shared bath: $1980
Single room with private bath: $2280
*EARLY BIRD ENTICEMENT (Mmm, yummy!)
Register and pay in full by February 14, 2012 and save $100 AND get an hour coaching session with me — as my thank you for planning ahead!
Register and pay your deposit by February 14, 2012, you save $50.
IF YOU HAVE TO CANCEL (please don’t, you don’t want to miss this!)
If you cancel before May 15, 2012, I will refund all but $150 of your deposit or balance paid in full.
If you cancel after May 15, 2012 AND after paying the balance in full, and we can fill your place, we will refund everything minus $150. If we cannot fill your spot, we cannot refund any monies due to our contract with the Mable Dodge Luhan house.
All monies are due May 15, 2012. If you need a payment plan, we can do that.
Please note: all registrations three weeks prior to start date of the retreat must pay in full at time of registration.
Why do I keep $150 bucks? To keep people from signing up on a whim and taking a place, and then canceling when it comes time to pay in full. That sucks all around. Look at your schedule, truly know you want and and can come, and then sign up.
About Jen
Jen Louden is a personal growth pioneer who help launch the self-care movement with her first book The Woman’s Comfort Book, . She’s the author of five more books on well-being and personal wisdom that have inspired more than a million women in 9 languages. Jen has been a regular columnist for Body & Soul magazine, a radio show host on Martha Stewart’s network, and a spokeswoman for companies like Real Networks and SC Johnson, and sat on Orpah’s couch. She’s a trained ontological coach, a mess making artist, a mother of a wonderful girl, and deeply in love with man named Bob. Her newest mission is marrying self-care with saving the world.
About Marianne
Marianne Elliot is a writer, a yoga teacher, and a woman learning to savor as she serves. She believes kindness, joy, and an openness of body, mind, and spirit are essential to our creativity. So that’s what she teaches yoga that is kind and joyful, designed to help open your creative flow and to support you in writing and every area of your life. She attended the retreat last year as a participant and taught one class that everybody loved! More information about her yoga teachers and style at www.marianne-elliott.com.
Questions? Concerns?
More questions? Please email jenATjenniferlouden.com. I’m happy to talk about whatever you need to be sure this is the right retreat for you. Really, no question is too weird or personal.
I know you will cherish your week with us–it truly is magical.
With love,
P.S. The retreat is full every year. Just saying so you won’t be disappointed.