One of Elmhirst's Resort cozy cottages

SPRING THAW 2012

3-days March 30 to April 1

SPECIAL GUESTS 2012:  authors Jonathan Bennett, Michelle Berry and Natalee Caple join us for dinner on Saturday with a wonderful evening program to follow. Read more about Jonathan, Michelle and Natalee

Extended-Your-Pen Option: add 2 days April 2 & 3

Balance for the writer and the writing:

To support your writing project, Spring Thaw offers creative activities, private time for writing, and feedback sessions.

To support you, the writer, this time away offers time to reflect, time to enjoy meals and conversation with fellow writers and time to relax or energize with a range of resort facilities.

What to expect:

•  written manuscript evaluation from both Gwynn and Ruth on up to 10 ms pages.
• one-on-one private feedback with either Gwynn or Ruth early in the retreat allow you to consider our suggestions as you continue to work . (Deadline to submit your manuscript is March 15, 2012).
• evening group sessions that include sharing of work, group feedback and discussions.
• plenty of private writing time and private writing space
• an all-inclusive package so you can write while we take care of everything else
• SPECIAL GUESTS 2012:  authors Jonathan Bennett, Michelle Berry and Natalee Caple join us for dinner on Saturday with a wonderful evening program to follow. Read more about Jonathan, Michelle and Natalee

All activities and creativity sessions are optional. We happily offer handouts and exercises to participants who bypass an activity to keep working on their material. We do encourage everyone to attend the opening and closing group sessions as well as the dinners because good things come out of getting to know other writers and their work.

The two-day extension on April 2 and 3 is strictly devoted to writing during the day, with optional evening group feedback sessions. Limited to 10 participants.

Meals and accommodations:

Breakfasts and lunches are structured so you can visit with each other, or put together a quick takeaway meal and return to your private room to keep writing.

Dinners are held in the Hearthside Dining Room, complete with white linen tablecloths and candlelight. A view of Rice Lake at sunset adds to the feeling of being “away”, and spirited conversations and laughter are the norm.

Each participant has a private room in cottage accommodation. (Note limited private cottages are available for surcharge.) If you are coming with writing buddies, we can organize for your group to be together in a cottage. Accessibility accommodations are also available.

Your cottage sitting room has a wood burning fireplace with plenty of firewood. Cottages also include full kitchen facilities.

Elmhirst’s Resort amenities included no charge for retreat participants:

• free Internet
• indoor salt-water pool
• hot tub
• sauna
• exercise room
• boardwalk and groomed walking trails

Additional services (charges not included with registration)

• spa treatments by appointment
• pub and bar facilities

Rates

3 days March 30 to April 1    $745

extend-your-pen for 2 extra days          $300

Rates include:

• all workshops
• all handouts and materials
• private room cottage accommodation
• all meals
• access to resort amenities
• free high-speed wireless Internet
• all taxes and gratuities [ yes, over $100 of what you pay goes towards this!]

 Spring Thaw 2012 brochure

REGISTER NOW!

Enjoy the amenities or relax and write anywhere, anytime

HOLD THIS SPOT ON YOUR CALENDAR

Turning Leaves 2012 will take place November 23 to 25, 2012. Details and Registration will be posted in 2012. But mark your calendars now!

Cancellation Policy:

What happens if I have to cancel?

Your deposit is non-refundable, but 50% (i.e., $125) may be used for a future Writescape retreat. For cancellations before full payment deadline, all but your deposit is refundable. After the full payment deadline, any refund of the remainder is at the discretion of Writescape organizers.

We understand that life happens—we wouldn’t be writers if we didn’t. But by the time you have paid your deposit, we have already long been working on making your retreat a fantastic experience. After the full payment deadline, we become locked into the total cost of your stay with the resort. Nonetheless, we will do our best to work things out should you have to cancel.

 What happens if Writescape has to cancel?

Any cancellation on our part would have to be the result of a serious problem—nothing short of a natural disaster or epidemic is likely to cancel our retreat. In that case, a rescheduling acceptable to you would be in order, or a full refund if we are unable to reschedule.

In any circumstance, we reserve the right to adjust the program (e.g., replace a facilitator). But we are professionals who have successfully delivered our programs in some difficult situations over the years, so we don’t expect a problem.