THE INTUITIVE WRITER
with Charlotte Wood
AUGUST 2 - 9
THIS EXCITING RETREAT WILL EXPLORE A TREASURE TROVE OF INSIGHTS SHARED BY RENOWNED AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR,
CHARLOTTE WOOD.
In this week-long retreat, participants will learn and practice the nine creative processes Charlotte Wood uncovered in her award-winning Ph.D. research into the creative process.
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An award-winning author of eight books, Charlotte has always been fascinated by the creative process. Her own experience and her research into other artists’ methods has taught her that the substance of a true work of art emerges slowly and organically - through experimentation and failure, discovery and rediscovery.
Writers often dedicate years to a book before they know if it will come together – tolerating uncertainty is the bedrock of the creative life. My doctoral research involved a study of acclaimed writers in the middle of a work in progress. I wanted to find out if they were unconsciously using any specific creative techniques that I might be able to identify, map and borrow to enhance my own working processes. Guess what? They were, and I could,’ she says.
‘Through this work, I discovered nine creative processes, common to many artists but not always represented in other models of creativity, that can be applied at almost any stage of a work’s development to kick progress along. They’re especially useful at times when you’re bored or stuck.’
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IN THIS RETREAT, CHARLOTTE WILL SHARE HER NINE PROCESSES FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.
She will guide you through the nine processes, showing you how to use them at different stages of your writing to help you find the real heart of your work, overcome creative blocks and most importantly, revive your love of writing.
SUITABLE PARTICIPANTS
This retreat is best for writers and aspiring writers of serious intent who have been at work on a substantial project (a novel, memoir or another non-fiction book, short story or essay collection) for at least one year. Previous publication is not a requirement. You will need a print-out of your work in progress, a sense of adventure and a true willingness to experiment.
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MEET THE AUTHOR
CHARLOTTE WOOD
Dr Charlotte Wood has been described as one of Australia's most original and provocative writers.
She is the author of six novels and two books of non-fiction, and the editor of two short story anthologies.
Her best-selling novel, The Natural Way of Things, won the 2016 Stella Prize, the Indie Book of the Year and Novel of the Year, was joint winner of the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Fiction, and was published throughout Europe, the UK and North America.
Charlotte’s sixth novel, The Weekend, will be published in Australia in October 2019, and in the US and UK in 2020.
Non-fiction books include The Writer’s Room, a collection of interviews with authors about the writing process, and her features and essays about artists and creativity have appeared in many publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Monthly, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Saturday Paper.
In 2016 Charlotte was named the inaugural Writer in Residence at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, a radical initiative bringing science and art together in a globally renowned research facility.
She holds a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of NSW and a Master of Creative Arts from the University of Technology. In 2017 her doctoral thesis on creativity, Looking for Trouble: Problem finding processes in literary creativity, won the UNSW Arts and Social Sciences Dean’s Award for Best Doctoral Thesis.
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For more information: www.charlottewood.com.au
THE RETREAT
Each morning we’ll start with an explanation and group discussion of one to two of the processes. Then participants will spend the day using Charlotte’s specially designed, practical exercises to apply the newly learned experiment to their work. Each afternoon will close with a group check-in to reflect on progress, setbacks, discoveries, and revelations, followed by more informal conversation over dinner.
Daily structure
7-9am : yoga (optional), breakfast (self-serve)
9.30-11am: Group discussion. Exploring the nine processes
11am-4pm: Private writing time and one on one sessions with Charlotte. Self-service lunch and treats such as massage, dance, singing, drawing etc. ​​
4pm - 5.30pm : Group discussion. Check-in & reflection
6pm - 8.30pm : Dinner
8.30pm onwards : Free time
PRICING
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Stay at Springfield, or stay nearby. The Springfield Creative Writers Workshop has accommodation for most people to stay on site, and limited places are also available for participants not staying on site. Treatments such as massage are available, booked in advance, additional to the workshop fee.
STAY WITH US
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$3,500 - $2,750
INCLUDES:
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- 7 nights of luxury accommodation
- All nutritionally designed meals and snacks, morning coffee, teas and evening glass of wine - organic & locally sourced where possible
- Daily creative writing workshop
- Seminars
- One:one sessions
- Access to all facilities and scheduled activities such as yoga, gardening, tennis, pool, meditation and bushwalking
- Educational talks, including "Nutrition for the Creative Process"
- Courtesy transfers from airport/train station at set times
STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE ​
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$2,500
INCLUDES:
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- All nutritionally designed meals and snacks, morning coffee, teas and evening glass of wine - organic & locally sourced where possible
- Daily creative writing workshop
- Seminars
- One:one sessions​
- Access to all facilities and scheduled activities such as yoga, gardening, tennis, swimming pool, meditation and bushwalking
- Educational talks, including "Nutrition for the Creative Process"
