Winter Poetry Weekend Retreat 2013 with Maria Gillan and Laura Boss

WRITING YOUR WAY HOME

a poetry weekend intensive

at an English manor house in Mendham, New Jersey
with poets Maria Mazziotti Gillan and Laura Boss
December 13-15, 2013

Twice a year, poets convene for a weekend retreat at St. Marguerite's Retreat House in Mendham, NJ.

The next retreat is December 13-15, 2013 when Maria Mazziotti Gillan and Laura Boss will work with poets and offer the chance to write and share poetry in a beautiful, wooded English manor house setting.

A poetry retreat can give you the space and time to focus totally on your writing.

Laura Boss and Maria Mazzioti Gillan will meet with participants starting with a Friday dinner and throughout the weekend, concluding after the Sunday lunch.

St. Marguerite's Retreat House in Mendham, NJ is a serene setting away from the pressures and distractions of daily life. Being in the company of other like-minded writers is in itself inspirational.

Participants arrive before 6 PM on Friday evening, have dinner, settle into their rooms, and begin to retreat from the distractions of the world.That evening, participants will be led into creating new work. After each workshop, each participant will have the opportunity to read their work in the group.

After Saturday breakfast, participants will move into two groups for morning workshops, followed by free time for socializing and exploring the grounds. After lunch, writing workshops will take place, followed by time to write. Each participant will have a chance to sign up in advance with Maria or Laura for one-on-one help with revision.

After dinner on Saturday evening, participants will be invited to read their poems to the groups, and the faculty will lead another workshop session on how to get published.

After Sunday breakfast, a final writing workshop and concluding reading by participants will serve as the “closing ceremony” to this inspiring and productive weekend and lunch provides a final opportunity for socializing.

The leaders envision this weekend as a retreat from the noise and bustle of daily life and see this retreat as both a spiritual and creative break from our usual lives. The setting certainly allows us to take some time to look at life in a new light, to listen for our own voices, and to create in stillness, in quiet, and in community. These are times of contemplation and welcoming the muse.

The workshops will concentrate on "writing your way home" and the way writing can save us, save our stories and our lives. Participants should bring papers, pens, and the willingness to take some risks. Please also bring previously-written work for one-on-one sessions and for the readings.

St. Marguerite's Retreat House in Mendham, New Jersey is an English manor house situated on 93 acres of wooded land with pathways that lend themselves to the serene contemplation of nature and nurturing of your creative spirit. The Retreat House is located at the convent of Saint John the Baptist, 82 West Main Street in Mendham, NJ.

The workshops, room, and meals are all included in the fee of $425.
This writing intensive is open to all writers over the age of 18.
Enrollment is limited.
NJ teachers may receive 15 professional development credits for attending.

For further information and to register, contact mariagillan@verizon.net or call 973-684-6555.