This past weekend I held a writer's retreat in the mountains north of L.A. (see everybody above). It's amazing what happens when a bunch of smart, generous people get together to write - and have nothing else to think about or to do other than write. The Lake Arrowhead Conference Center produced three delicious meals each day, everyone was staying at the Center so there was no reason to get into a car and drive anywhere. It was all about writing and hearing each others work and giving feedback. Memoirs were begun, or continued, essays were written, a chapter of a novel, a poem - exciting stuff. Here are a couple of the quotes we ended the weekend with:
"Two or three things I know for sure, and one of them is that change when it comes cracks everything open...Two or three things I know for sure, and one is that I would rather go naked than wear the coat the world has made for me....Two or three things I know for sure and one of them is that telling the story all the way through is an act of love." – Dorothy Allison (Two or Three Things I Know For Sure)
"Help me to have the courage to finish what I have begun, and to begin what I want to finish." – Phyllis Theroux (The Journal Keeper)
Thank you Barbara for a priceless weekend!
Posted by: bob G. | October 24, 2011 at 02:53 PM
Thank you, Barbara!! It was amazing. xox
Posted by: Magdalena Edwards | October 24, 2011 at 10:36 PM
Those quotes are so timely and beautiful. Thank you Barbara. What a great group in the picture! Wish I had been there! :)
Lots of love.
Posted by: Ruth | October 25, 2011 at 12:21 AM
So glad that you do this every year. I wish I could have been there and I will be there again some day!
Posted by: Laura B | October 25, 2011 at 09:48 AM
Barbara, thank you for an inspiring weekend in the mountains!
Posted by: Cathy E. | October 25, 2011 at 10:26 AM
What a great looking group-and it
sounded so inspiring! I was so sad
that my body failed me and I couldn't attend. NEXT TIME! Thanks for those inspiring quotes.
Posted by: Barb Force | October 25, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Please oh Please make it longer next time. The retreat was magical.
Posted by: Barbara L. | October 25, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Keep me on your mailing list, Barbara! I should be able to make the next one--and hope I have good writing news to share by then!
Posted by: Denise Emanuel Clemen | October 25, 2011 at 01:01 PM
An inspiring, productive weekend with talented people, now friends. Thank you, Barbara.
Posted by: Rob D. | November 14, 2011 at 08:57 AM
Thanks for all these comments. Yes, there is something magical about getting away and ignoring the rest of the world to just write.
Posted by: Barbara | November 14, 2011 at 09:32 AM