Turning Leaves 2011

October 28 – 30 , 2011

Turning Leaves 2011 Participants with Jonathan Bennett outside Fireside Inn

Turning Leaves 2011 took place at the Fireside Inn at Fern Resort on lovely Lake Couchiching in the Muskokas. This wonderful venue offered our retreat participants private rooms or shared accommodation, a fabulous water-side group space; lake-view dining in the charming Heritage Dining Room; lakeside boardwalk and area trails; indoor pool, spa and exercise area, and so much more.

Twelve writers gathered in the spacious workshop room to write, listen and share. Our theme was “Connections” and that aptly describes so much of what happened. Writers connected to writers through shared experiences. Workshop sessions connected ideas and approaches to writing. And there were other connections, like our unavoidable and inspiring connection to nature. Sometimes, the sun’s glint on the lake was nearly too bright, and we had to draw the patio door curtains. And then the sunsets, glorious pink deepening to purples and reds, called to us. We were connected to the outdoors even at night as we sat close to the flames in our wood-burning fireplaces.

We had fabulous connections to the gifted poet and novelist, Jonathan Bennett. First, we all connected to his writing on Friday night as he read remarkable poetry and an excerpt from his acclaimed novel “Entitlement” and then followed up with a casual chat about the life of a writer. On Saturday, Jonathan led us through a workshop on Point of View, connecting us with the ideas of other authors in a kind of “panel discussion” and then connecting us with each other through an incredible POV exercise. He was delighted by the quality of writing in the room.

But Gwynn and Ruth weren’t surprised at all. After all, when you escape to write with Writescape, all you need to do is focus on your writing. We take care of the rest. But don’t take our word for it. Read author and retreat alumnus Virginia Winters’ blog for an insider’s view of Turning Leaves 2011.