MIDWINTER 2020

TIDY UP YOUR WRITING LIFE

Work Smart, Stay Sane, Spark Joy

 

GOAL: A happier, healthier, more productive writing and publishing life. 

 

This reenergizing weekend at the beach is designed to reboot your writing life and take your career to the next level. Writing for a living comes with unique challenges. Writing for life takes tenacity and a toolbox full of trade secrets. It's possible to do what you love, create a body of work you can be proud of, and build a solid financial foundation.

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CONTENT: Guest faculty and schedule TBA, but topics include:

• The Artist's Way: Defining who you are as an artist and developing a creative mission statement as a guiding light for everything you do.

• Craft Cache: Practical strategies, tools, and resources essential to a sustainable writing life.

• The Biz: Plan your work and work your plan! Power up as a professional and get proactive with a 5-year plan for creating and maintaining active and passive income as a writer.

• Boxing the Octopus: Coping with this many-tentacled beast that is the publishing industry takes grit, wit, and a sense of humor.

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SUNRISE STRETCH: Feel like starting early? Join Joni on the Lighthouse Trail for sunrise walk/talk at 7 AM. Or stay in your PJs and enjoy coffee and Gary's high fiber Elevensies by the fireplace in your condo. 

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MORNING CRAFT SESSION: From 9 AM to noon, we'll focus on storytelling, structure, and soft craft skills. Over lunch, Q&A open house. Go ahead. AMA.

 

AFTERNOON OFFICE HOURS: Your tuition includes ten pages of line editing and one-on-one editorial consults with Joni and our guest faculty member.

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DECOMPRESS: At 5PM (aka Wine O'Clock), meet up at Joni's for cocktails and conversation followed by dinner and Dimming of the Day. 

 

INSPIRATION: From Virginia Woolf's Bloomsburies to Nu Shu ("women's writing") in ancient China, the tradition of literary salons in various forms dates back centuries and spans every continent. Our little Salon by the Sea will be an unpretentious, homey gathering that nurtures a free exchange of ideas and respectful response to shared readings. Our home reflects our love of books, music, poetry, and art, and we welcome your inspired creative spirit. 

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LODGING: We work exclusively with Vacations by the Sea to provide the luxury oceanfront accommodations included in your tuition. Each writer will enjoy a private room and bathroom, sharing a living room and kitchen with one other writer. In addition to high speed internet and a variety of quiet work spaces, you'll have access to community hot tub, gym, putting green, rooftop decks, and other amenities. 

 

FOOD: Dinner options include family-style meals at Joni and Gary's, a few walkable local eateries, or whatever you care to whip up in your fully equipped kitchen. Gourmet box lunches are available in the kitchen or delivered to your condo on request. Coffee, snacks, and breakfast fixings will be preset in your kitchen, but Gary is happy to serve you eggs and bacon or bake you a fresh cookie if you tell him a good joke. 

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SURROUNDINGS: Our patio gate opens into Westport Light State Park, where you can wander 200+ acres of pristine dunes and woodlands. The Lighthouse Trail System is an accessible, paved path with boardwalk platforms (perfect for whale-watching and yoga) and park benches. Grays Harbor Light, Washington State's tallest lighthouse, is a 3-minute walk from your condo, and an easy (139 steps) climb to the top offers stunning views of the state park and Pacific Ocean. 

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ALSO: WLWR alumni participate in yearly reunion meetings via Zoom and enjoy a 15% discount on all future solo and group retreats. Our hope is that you will connect with friends and colleagues (including us!) who will continue to be an important part of your personal and professional network.

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APPLY TO ATTEND

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