5.0
Verified
Dear Ellen
The day before our retreat began, our dear Ellen received dramatic health-related news. We ALL would have understood if she had completely opted out of the retreat. But she showed up in all her vulnerability AND strength, and gave of herself to a group of writers who were hungry for what she had to offer. She did not disappoint. Her pace was just right, the information, suggestions, advice she offered were challenging but also doable. The writing exercises were fun and rendered surprising and satisfying results. I attended withOUT a "work in progress," wondering if I had another story in me to tell. I had spent 10 years on a memoir about my son's suicide, and was ready to stop writing about that. I discovered that I did have other things to write about that matter to me, and that I had a voice that connected with readers. I left with a plan, which is more than I had hoped for.
As for the group of writers gathered together, I've attended retreats before (not writers, but in other professions), and there is usually someone (or more than one someone) who gets on my nerves, rubs me the wrong way. Not this time. And even with people who were not in my "group" (we were divided into 2 groups for the main "educational" workshops), there were many opportunities during meals and unscheduled periods during the day and evening to get to know everyone at something deeper than a superficial level, which was magical.
As for the group of writers gathered together, I've attended retreats before (not writers, but in other professions), and there is usually someone (or more than one someone) who gets on my nerves, rubs me the wrong way. Not this time. And even with people who were not in my "group" (we were divided into 2 groups for the main "educational" workshops), there were many opportunities during meals and unscheduled periods during the day and evening to get to know everyone at something deeper than a superficial level, which was magical.
