DELVING DEEP
with Emily Bitto
APRIL 27 - 30, 2023
USING ARCHETYPE, SYMBOLISM AND CHARACTER TO REVEAL THE HEART OF YOUR STORY
In this three day intensive workshop, The Stella Prize-winning author Emily Bitto will guide you through techniques designed to help you discover the themes and archetypes – at once deeply personal and yet universally human – at the heart of your work, with the aim of making your creative project richer and more sophisticated. The course is designed for those who have a writing project on the go, whether it is a novel, memoir, or even a short story. With a mixture of tuition, examples, group discussion and writing exercises, the course will give you a wealth of empowering tools you can continue to use throughout your writing life.
Read what Emily's students have had to say
click the button above or email us at admin@lifeatspringfield.com to book your spot!
PROGRAM
Over this intensive two-and-a-half day course, Emily will guide you through the process of delving deeply into your creative project, with the intention of understanding it more clearly, and making it a richer and more sophisticated work of art. Some of the topics we will cover include the macro level themes at the heart of your story; how to use these to generate plot, character, scenes and imagery; how to translate the macro-level themes on the page to achieve consistency and sophistication in your use of imagery and language; how to tap into universal archetypes as a way of deepening and enriching your narrative.
The program includes coursework and discussion, as well as time to write, reflect, and share your work with Emily and the group, all in the glorious landscape of the Southern Highlands. Because this is a three-day course, there will not be a one-on-one session with Emily included in the program, but there is an option to schedule a one-on-one consultation either before or after the course, for an additional fee.
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Morning and afternoon workshops and group discussions will explore theme, imagery, symbolism, archetype and deep character work.
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Evening salons will include readings of your own work, discussions and sharing your discoveries from the day.
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We will include a half-day break from workshops to either enjoy the beautiful Southern Highlands on a hike, or to spend in individual writing time.
INCLUSIONS
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Four workshops with Emily
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Evening salons
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An opportunity to share your current project
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The option to do readings
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Cosy open fires, weather permitting
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Nourishment of organic farm to table meals made with fresh produce straight from our very own veggie gardens. Vegetarian and vegan options.
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Choose from a variety of beautiful accomodation options
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Optional daily gentle morning yoga
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Optional massage, garden tour and bush walk
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Beautiful workshop studio
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Transfer to and from Bowral train station
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Concierge staff and onsite laundry
LOCATION.
Springfield is situated on traditional lands that were shared by people of the Gundungurra, Dharawal and Yuin nations. Springfield is only five minutes drive from Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park.
We are 15 minutes from Bowral, Moss Vale and Robertson in the beautiful Southern Highlands of NSW. The energy here has been described as peaceful, still and even soporific, making it an excellent place for writers who want the quiet time and space needed to hear their writer's voice and sink in to the wonder of creative flow.
Meet The Author
Dr Kate Forsyth
Emily Bitto is a novelist, poet, and a long-time student of literature and human psychology, who has been teaching creative writing for more than a decade.
Emily Bitto lives in Melbourne. She has a Masters in Literary Studies and a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne. Emily has been teaching for over a decade, and has taught creative writing at The University of Melbourne, RMIT, Victoria University and the Faber Writing Academy. Her writing has appeared in various publications, including Meanjin, Island, HEAT, the Monthly, the Age, the Saturday Paper, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Big Issue fiction edition.
The manuscript of her debut novel, The Strays was shortlisted for the 2013 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript, and the published novel went on to win the 2015 Stella Prize. It was also shortlisted for The Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction, the NSW Premier’s Prize for New Writing, and the Dobbie Literary Award, and longlisted for the Dublin IMPAC prize. The Strays was published in the US (Twelve Books) and Canada (Penguin) in January 2017.
Emily’s second novel, Wild Abandon, was published by Allen and Unwin in October 2021.
LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, DON'T MISS OUT!
WHAT TO EXPECT
On this retreat you’ll have the opportunity to write what you’ve always wanted to write. Your writing will be supported by Springfield’s signature creative ecology. Being on retreat in a beautiful natural place will bring insight to your work in surprising ways. Prepare to feel open and spacious as you tune into a different state of mind. Writing on retreat is so special. It initiates that altered state of mind we’re in when we’re writing. That’s when the magic happens. We’ll take a break mid-weekend to refresh and enjoy a local excursion. You can use your free time each day to go even deeper into your writing, or take a break and treat yourself to a massage, visit one of the local villages, galleries or wineries, or simply sip a cappuccino, write postcards, and enjoy the gardens and views.
A DAY AT SPINGFIELD's WRITING RETREAT
7:30 - 8:30 Optional gentle morning yoga
8:30 - 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 - 12:30 Writing workshop
12:30 - 1:30 Lunch
2:00 - 5:00 Writing workshop
5:00 - 6:30 Evening Salon
6:30 Dinner
Read what our past guests have had to say
Read more of what our past guests have had to say here.
IS THIS RETREAT FOR YOU?
This retreat is ideally suited to writers with a creative project on the go, no matter how small or how nascent.
Please bring to the retreat two printed copies of a short section of your creative writing (500 words maximum).
There will also be some individual writing time included in the retreat, so please bring your laptop, writing materials or whatever you need to take advantage of this time
As numbers for this retreat are strictly limited (8-12) registration forms and payments must be received before your place is secured.
AVAILABILITY, ACCOMMODATION & PRICE GUIDE *
Accommodation is first come, first served.
If you are embarking on this journey with yourself, please see private costs.
If you hope to share this experience with a friend, please see shared costs.
For more details regarding rooms please explore our accommodation here or visit our gallery.
We require full payment to secure your room.
* GST will be included on invoice
Booked
Booked
Booked
Booked
Super King with private ensuite
3 Nights Private: $1950.
Two Double beds with private ensuite
3 Nights Private: $1950.
3 Nights Shared: $1750 each.
Queen bed, shared bathroom (with Avocado room)
3 Nights Private: $1800.
Two Single beds, shared bathroom (with Indigo room)
3 Nights Private: $1800.
3 Nights Shared: $1600 each.
FARM HOUSE ROOMS
Queen beds, shared bathroom
3 Nights Private: $1800.
DROVER'S REST ROOMS
Super King, shared bathroom
3 Nights Private: $1600.
DAY RATE
For Southern Highlands Locals Only
3 Night: $1250.