4-NIGHT WRITING RETREAT
14-18 October 2021
This is a writing immersion if you have a book, or a writing project, in your heart. You may be a new writer, or an experienced writer who simply needs time away from your life to really settle into your writing. You will join writing coach Sarah Bullen on a journey into quiet, and into your story. This is a midsummer retreat just outside Cape Town, South Africa.
Mornings will be a structured class with afternoons free to pour your words onto the page. We gather in the evenings for reading, feedback and storytelling.
I have writers of many different levels coming on these retreats. Some are starting a book and need more guidance, others working on the 2nd or 3rd books. Still other writers join to journal or write poetry. Each writer has two personal sessions with me to focus on your project and work on your writing plans and material.
For those who need a push, my structured evening sessions will show you how to write, edit and market your book, find a structure, character, plot, advanced plotting and pace, how to construct scenes, best writing techniques, timelines and schedules, genre and finding your voice, preparing your manuscript, how to approach publishers, how to write your marketing material, new publishing models.
All writing genre's are welcome on this retreat - novels, memoir, non-fiction, poetry, children's books.It will guide you through the process of writing a book from start to finish. You need nothing but your ideas in order to attend.
I love to get writers away from their lives and into a longer writing immersion. I have found in my own writing that it is the only way I can dive into a book and make any sort of progress. So, much of the time will be spent writing.
Mornings will be a structured class with writing support, and afternoons free to pour your words onto the page.
It is a challenge to act on your desire and get that book started, or finished.
Mornings will be a structured class with afternoons free to pour your words onto the page. We gather in the evenings for reading, feedback and storytelling.
I have writers of many different levels coming on these retreats. Some are starting a book and need more guidance, others working on the 2nd or 3rd books. Still other writers join to journal or write poetry. Each writer has two personal sessions with me to focus on your project and work on your writing plans and material.
For those who need a push, my structured evening sessions will show you how to write, edit and market your book, find a structure, character, plot, advanced plotting and pace, how to construct scenes, best writing techniques, timelines and schedules, genre and finding your voice, preparing your manuscript, how to approach publishers, how to write your marketing material, new publishing models.
All writing genre's are welcome on this retreat - novels, memoir, non-fiction, poetry, children's books.It will guide you through the process of writing a book from start to finish. You need nothing but your ideas in order to attend.
I love to get writers away from their lives and into a longer writing immersion. I have found in my own writing that it is the only way I can dive into a book and make any sort of progress. So, much of the time will be spent writing.
Mornings will be a structured class with writing support, and afternoons free to pour your words onto the page.
It is a challenge to act on your desire and get that book started, or finished.
THE VENUE
The retreat is held in Temenos, McGregor. McGregor is a charming, well-preserved mid 19th century village just two hours out of Cape Town with its quaint, thatched cottages. It sits at the foot of the Riversonderend Mountains in the Western Cape.The beautiful gardens offer a contemplative milieu to support your embrace of inner stillness and silence.
There are many spaces within the grounds where you can withdraw to for quiet meditation or reflection. It is the ideal space for rest and relaxation and to let the muse of writing find you. This is a nurturing space where self-discovery, empowerment and deep healing can be explored.
There are 10 cottages offering a variety of accommodation. Please see the list below. We will do our best to accomodate your choice. You have the choice of double or twin beds and bathrooms with a shower or a bath. All our cottages are en suite and have private patios and a fireplace.
The retreat is held in Temenos, McGregor. McGregor is a charming, well-preserved mid 19th century village just two hours out of Cape Town with its quaint, thatched cottages. It sits at the foot of the Riversonderend Mountains in the Western Cape.The beautiful gardens offer a contemplative milieu to support your embrace of inner stillness and silence.
There are many spaces within the grounds where you can withdraw to for quiet meditation or reflection. It is the ideal space for rest and relaxation and to let the muse of writing find you. This is a nurturing space where self-discovery, empowerment and deep healing can be explored.
There are 10 cottages offering a variety of accommodation. Please see the list below. We will do our best to accomodate your choice. You have the choice of double or twin beds and bathrooms with a shower or a bath. All our cottages are en suite and have private patios and a fireplace.
The group is intimate and we are gathering in the most beautiful and magical of landscapes for a five-night retreat in summer. |
COST 2021
* All writers are invited to stay the Sunday night free and leave on Monday if you want to extend your stay. Single room R11,700 (9 single cottages available) Deposit R4,000. Full payment by 1 October. Sharing room R7,900 per person. (only sharing with friend /family and Covid compliant) Deposit R4,000 per person. Full payment by 1 October. Please note a deposit is required to secure your place. This is non-refundable as per our T&Cs. Please be clear before your book as places fill up fast. We can jump on a quick call to discuss if this is right for you. COST INCLUDES * 4 nights accommodation at the most beautiful space in cottages. * Specified meals at Tebaldi restaurant - on Sunday night we eat out in the village * A guided writing process * A one-on-one session * Structured feedback on your project * All course fees * A self catering kitchen in your cottage with tea, coffee and a fridge for all your extra snacks or particular food. COST EXCLUDES * Flights * Transfers to or from Cape Town (we will organise a transfer bus at an agreed fee) * Sunday night meal. * Massages, body work, or any additional services |
ItineraryThursday
· Arrive & explore this magical garden with its many sanctuaries · 4pm Opening writing session in Caritas Library · Sunset Labyrinth walk and writing feedback · Dinner at Tebaldi’s Friday · Morning writing · Breakfast · Writing session with feedback · Personal writing sessions or focussed writing time · Lunch · Writing time · Walks in the village (optional) · Dinner at Tebaldi’s Saturday · Morning writing · Breakfast buffet · Writing session · Personal writing sessions or focussed writing time · Lunch · Writing time or guided HIKE to the Waterfall (3 hours) · Gather for writing feedback and reading · Dinner at Tebaldi’s and guest speaker Sunday · Morning writing · Breakfast buffet · Group writing session · Personal writing sessions or focussed writing time · Lunch - self catered or we go out · Writing time · Gather for writing feedback and reading · Dinner out in the village Monday · Morning writing and final feedback · Farewell Breakfast · Closing Circle |
COTTAGESJAMIL
One of four library suites adjacent to the beautiful garden library. These are very quiet cottages, ideally suited to guests who enjoy privacy. Georgian suites, each room has its own private patio and fireplace. Jamil meaning ‘the beauty of the divine’ has twin beds and a shower. This is a very private suite ideal for retreating IONA One of four library suites adjacent to the beautiful garden library. These are very quiet cottages, ideally suited to guests who enjoy privacy. Georgian suites, each room has its own private patio and fireplace. Named after the mystical island off Scotland, has a double bed and a free standing bath. Well loved in winter for its embrace of the morning sun. AVILA One of four library suites adjacent to the beautiful garden library. These are very quiet cottages, ideally suited to guests who enjoy privacy. Georgian suites, each room has its own private patio and fireplace. Named after the great mystic Teresa of Avila, has twin beds and a shower, and an enclosed private garden. LISIEUX One of four library suites adjacent to the beautiful garden library. These are very quiet cottages, ideally suited to guests who enjoy privacy. Georgian suites, each room has its own private patio and fireplace. Named after the place in France where the ‘little’ Teresa was born and lived. She exemplified finding the Beloved in everyday simplicity. ASSISI One of the four thatched cottages. This was our first cottage at Temenos. It has twin beds, a shower, and a private garden patio. In its foundations is buried a rock from Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. Little wonder the birds love being around this cottage. CARMEL One of the four thatched cottages. This nestles in a grove of trees and is particularly popular in the hot summer months. It has a double bed and shower as well as a very private back verandah SUBIACO One of the four thatched cottages. . This is named after the cave in Italy where St Benedict wrote his beautiful monastic Rule. A copy is buried in the foundations hopefully inspiring visitors to embrace a contemplative stay during their time at Temenos. The cottage has twin beds and shower, a lovely private garden and braai area. SANTA CHIARA One of the four thatched cottages, named after St Clare , the beloved friend of St Francis. It is a very private garden cottage and has a double bed, shower and lovely fireplace. THE HERMITAGE - BENI ABBES This private and contemplative cottage is ideal for a retreatant withdrawing into silence and simplicity. BENI ABBES is our popular hermitage and is named after a small monastery in the heart of the Sahara desert. It is ideal for the guest who wants to be private and in seclusion in order to embrace inner stillness. It has a double bed, a shower and a lovely, cozy fireplace. ATHENA One of two spiral cottages that adjoin the beautiful serene spiral and are adjacent to The Well. It has a lovely verandah, a braai area and an excellent fireplace in the bedroom. It has twin beds and a bath and shower. BEULAH One of two spiral cottages that adjoin the beautiful serene spiral and are adjacent to The Well. The room has a cozy fireplace, twin beds and bath and shower, and looks out onto the Spiral garden. It is a few paces away from THE WELL. |
TESTIMONIALS
"Thank you so much for an unforgettable week in Tulbach. The beautiful feminine energy, the gentle, nurturing environment that blended with the physical care taken with the healthy, organic food, yoga sessions and massages all conspired to bringing about a luxurious introspection into spaces that I have allowed to become dusty corners of my imagination."
- Carin Combrink, Forgotten Waterfall, 2019
"I spent this last week with Sarah and the other writers at the Write your Novel Retreat in the Cape. This was truly the most inspiring and motivating thing I have ever done for myself. Sarah's guidance is invaluable. Working our way through the writing process with Sarah has left me feeling far more equipped to pursue my dream. And her personal insights into my project has taken it to another level. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone, regardless of where you are writing wise. Amazing experience."
- Hanri Mostert, 2017
"This 'write a novel' course was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. Thank you Sarah and Anel!"
- Kate, 2017
"Dear Sarah. That was the best writing course I’ve ever been on. Thank you so much. I learned so much, and I can apply it immediately to my third novel."
- Helen Brain (Elevation Trilogy) 2018
"This retreat was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. Thank you Sarah and Anel!"
- Kate Baxter, 2017
"The McGregor retreat was a real treat! Temenos is a lovely place, relaxing and inspiring, I would even say “nourishing". I met some lovely people, talked about writing and reading, meditated, progressed a lot on my story and enjoyed Sarah’s passionate talks. A highlight was Sarah’s storytelling at ''The well''; magic. Thank you!"
-Petros Isaakidis, 2021
"Apart from being at lovely venue the retreat in McGregor fired me up to complete my fist draft which I am now doing. I learnt a lot about the practical and business side of getting published."
-Jan Glazewski, 2021
- Carin Combrink, Forgotten Waterfall, 2019
"I spent this last week with Sarah and the other writers at the Write your Novel Retreat in the Cape. This was truly the most inspiring and motivating thing I have ever done for myself. Sarah's guidance is invaluable. Working our way through the writing process with Sarah has left me feeling far more equipped to pursue my dream. And her personal insights into my project has taken it to another level. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone, regardless of where you are writing wise. Amazing experience."
- Hanri Mostert, 2017
"This 'write a novel' course was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. Thank you Sarah and Anel!"
- Kate, 2017
"Dear Sarah. That was the best writing course I’ve ever been on. Thank you so much. I learned so much, and I can apply it immediately to my third novel."
- Helen Brain (Elevation Trilogy) 2018
"This retreat was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. Thank you Sarah and Anel!"
- Kate Baxter, 2017
"The McGregor retreat was a real treat! Temenos is a lovely place, relaxing and inspiring, I would even say “nourishing". I met some lovely people, talked about writing and reading, meditated, progressed a lot on my story and enjoyed Sarah’s passionate talks. A highlight was Sarah’s storytelling at ''The well''; magic. Thank you!"
-Petros Isaakidis, 2021
"Apart from being at lovely venue the retreat in McGregor fired me up to complete my fist draft which I am now doing. I learnt a lot about the practical and business side of getting published."
-Jan Glazewski, 2021
