3-NIGHT WRITER'S RETREAT
17 - 20 October 2021
This retreat is a four-night writing immersion for anyone with a book, or a writing project, in their 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.
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.
THE VENUE
Arumvale is a country house perfectly situated in the Hermitage Valley, offering self-catering apartments and separate cottages in a pastoral ambiance just 2 km outside Swellendam. It is the ideal base from which to explore Swellendam and its surrounds or to enjoy a comfortable countryside experience with majestic mountain views and natural landscapes.
In addition to being surrounded by peaceful untrammelled nature, Arumvale offers numerous outdoor activities within walking distance, including rock climbing, mountain hikes, bird watching, mountain bike trailing, canoeing, field rambling, swimming in the rock pools in the mountain gorge, horse riding in the Marloth Mountain Reserve, and historical heritage walking trails in one of the oldest towns in South Africa.
Each country-style room features a private patio with a separate entrance. It includes a tastefully themed lounge and a fully equipped kitchenette and dining table. Some of the private bathrooms have a shower and some have a bath.
Guests can relax in summer on the verandah overlooking the swimming pool while enjoying magnificent views up the Hermitage Valley, take a stroll in the in the manicured lush gardens that flow into the surrounding farmlands or gather round the cosy open fireplace in each of the suites.
Arumvale is a country house perfectly situated in the Hermitage Valley, offering self-catering apartments and separate cottages in a pastoral ambiance just 2 km outside Swellendam. It is the ideal base from which to explore Swellendam and its surrounds or to enjoy a comfortable countryside experience with majestic mountain views and natural landscapes.
In addition to being surrounded by peaceful untrammelled nature, Arumvale offers numerous outdoor activities within walking distance, including rock climbing, mountain hikes, bird watching, mountain bike trailing, canoeing, field rambling, swimming in the rock pools in the mountain gorge, horse riding in the Marloth Mountain Reserve, and historical heritage walking trails in one of the oldest towns in South Africa.
Each country-style room features a private patio with a separate entrance. It includes a tastefully themed lounge and a fully equipped kitchenette and dining table. Some of the private bathrooms have a shower and some have a bath.
Guests can relax in summer on the verandah overlooking the swimming pool while enjoying magnificent views up the Hermitage Valley, take a stroll in the in the manicured lush gardens that flow into the surrounding farmlands or gather round the cosy open fireplace in each of the suites.
The group is intimate and we are gathering in the most beautiful and magical of landscapes for a retreat in LATE summer. |
COST 2021
Single room R8,500 (9 single cottages available) Deposit R6,000. 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 * 3 nights accommodation at the most beautiful space in cottages * Generous breakfast and lunch at Grace and Merci Restaurant * Group dinner on the first night in town * A guided writing process (tea and coffee provided) * A one-on-one session * Structured feedback on your project * All course fees COST EXCLUDES * Flights * Visas and Travel Insurance * Transfers to or from Cape Town (we will organise a transfer bus at an agreed fee) * All drinks (at dinner) * Dinner (except as noted) * Any additional services YOU WILL LEARN * How to define and create your most compelling story * The elements of structure * Finding your book genre and sub-genre * Creating plot, place and character outlines for your genre * Adding plot points and structure * Beginnings, middles and ends * Developing your main character * Developing your minor characters * Developing your voice * Developing point of view as a plotting technique * How to improve your plotting, pace and structure * How to make your characters unforgettable * Adding depth and layers * Sourcing tips and techniques * How to present your book to publishers |
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."
- 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."
- 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
