The 2010 Writer's Journey Retreat:

Finding Creativity and Balance in a Changing World

San Francisco Bay Area
July 21st-July 26th, 2010

The energy for writing abides at our raw edges

"Writing with Laura is a dream come true...she's funny, smart, insightful, and willing to risk putting her own life experience down on the page. Writing practice has proven to be a form of meditation in action for me: it has revealed dark corners of my mind that were begging for illumination, and healed broken pieces of my heart. I have cried, laughed, marveled at the insights a simple thing like writing practice has given me. I have used it in the groups I run with first-time older mothers, and even the women who say they have no skill writing are led into deep and wonderful places inside themselves. This is an experience not to be missed.”

--Nancy London MSW, author, "Hot Flashes, Warm Bottles: First-Time Mothers Over Forty

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Fellow Writers,

I would like to invite you to the 4th annual Writer's Journey Retreat at the incomparable Commonweal Retreat Center in Point Reyes in Northern California. I don't know if I can find the words to tell you how powerful, inspiring and transformative these retreats have been.

The retreat will begin with an afternoon arrival on Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 and will conclude on Monday, July 26th, 2010 after lunch. 30 CEUs are available for MFTs and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (see below).

Here are the relevant details:

Why a Writing Retreat? Many of us hold a deep dream of wanting to write. We want to write so we can understand ourselves more deeply and so that we can be seen. We sense that there are stories living inside of us that need to be told, but in our busy lives, we have not been able to create the time, space or circumstances in which to do so.

The Writer's Journey Retreat will give you that time. In our safe, supportive circle, you will find the permission, encouragement, and skills you need to explore the voices in your heart and tell the truth about your life.

The Writer's Journey Retreat is not a critique group. The focus is on the process of writing and where it can take us, rather than on polishing a finished product. We will alternate between periods of writing and listening to each other-not from a place of judgment or analysis-but from a place of focused attention and deep acceptance.

The Writer's Journey is rooted in writing practice, developed by Natalie Goldberg in her classic books, Writing Down the Bones and Wild Mind. I will bring writing suggestions, excerpts from literature, guided meditations and exercises designed to open the channel from your heart to your head to your pen. If I give a suggestion and it doesn't resonate with you, you are free to explore themes of your own.

"I breathed new life into my writing during this retreat, and for this I am deeply grateful."

--Erica Ross-Krieger, author of Seven Sacred Attitudes: How to Live in the Richness of the Moment

The Writer's Journey Retreat will help you:

Discover the deep essence of writing
Explore the unique nature of your own voice
Develop a writing practice that frees your creativity and connects you to your wild mind
Use first thoughts and original detail to make your writing come alive
Take greater risks in your writing
Overcome writer's block and the fear that you don't have what it takes to write
Use the transformative power of writing to move through life's challenges
Be part of a supportive community of peers that is committed to writing and listening together

"Laura Davis is an inspired, natural teacher who brings tremendous heart to her work. I've done two of her retreats and have learned more about writing (and about me as a writer) than I have from all of the many books I have read on the subject. An exceptional writer herself, Laura has taught me to write lucidly from a depth I never imagined. I am deeply grateful for the gifts she has given me.

"When you take an exceptional teacher and put her in the perfect setting, the combination is unbeatable. Commonweal is a spiritual haven tucked in the woods near the sea: private and quiet, with plenty of space to sit quietly alone, take long walks, and be at peace. Last, but certainly not least, the food was FANTASTIC, the staff unobtrusive and caring. If you're considering a writing retreat (or even if you haven't until now), I highly suggest that you take the leap. You won't regret it!"

--Doug Sawin, Ph.D, Guide-Trainer-Coach, The Life Skills Training Institute

"There is no other word to describe the writing retreat with Laura Davis than just plain JUICY. The peaceful Commonweal environment, the rugged coast outside the door, Laura's clear, authentic presence, and the nourishing fresh, organic meals provided just the right setting for my weary soul and stale writing habits to get renewed and refreshed.

"In the midst of the retreat, I looked around and noticed I was peacefully surrounded by other writers. "Of course," you say, "you were at a writing retreat." Well, it is one thing to say that and another to feel the sacred presence of other writers who are committed to bringing their true voices to the page. I treasure the experience, and it only could have happened in a gorgeous setting with Laura's fierce protection of the sacred writing space."

--Erica Ross-Krieger, author of Seven Sacred Attitudes: How to Live in the Richness of the Moment

"Laura's writing retreat was a rare and beautiful gift. It was a real treat to be with an eclectic, quiet, exuberant, creative group of people gathered to write our hearts out. Laura created a safe, accepting space for us to let go and pour ourselves onto the page. There were no red letter Fs for us-just lots of great food, a beautiful setting and a wealth of wild writing."

--Jamie Willamon, stay-at-home mom and retreat participant.

"I signed up for the retreat, unsure what to expect. I went with trepidation: 'Would I be good enough?' 'Would it get too personal?' 'Was it worth the money?' I came home extremely glad I had gone. It wasn't about being good enough; it was about being encouraged to find my voice. I rediscovered how much I love to write and was relieved to meet other people like me, who need to write as much as they need to breathe."

--Stephanie Huff, Director of Marketing for firstRain, a software company

The Setting: Commonweal is an incredibly beautiful retreat center in Bolinas, California, near Point Reyes. It's a gorgeous, wild, beautiful haven.

Arrival and Departure Times: We will convene at 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 21st, and have dinner at 6:00 PM. People can register as early as 3:00. We will end our retreat after lunch on Monday, July 26th. People will have to arrange their travel so they can be at the retreat for the entire time. (If you are flying in, that means your plane should arrive no later than 2:30 Wednesday afternoon and leave no earlier than 4:00 or 5:00 on Monday afternoon.)

Size of the Group: There will only be twenty-two of us at the retreat. We will meet as a large group each day for a teaching session and in small writing groups, so there will be ample time for intimate sharing of your life and your words.

Experience Required: We will be a mix of beginners and experienced writers and everything in between. An open heart and the willingness and desire to write is all that is required. Some of us have been doing writing practice for years; others are new to the practice. I will give instruction for newcomers at our first session.

The Flow of the Week: There will be whole group meetings each day which will include guided meditations, writing, and reading out loud. Our days will also have ample time for hiking, walking on the cliffs, napping, dreaming and writing in small groups.

There will be a half hour of meditation each morning for people who want to sit together.

Food: The food will be organic, fantastic and plentiful. Let me know if you are vegetarian or vegan or have special food needs.

Accommodations: We are renting three houses on the Commonweal property. One has single occupancy rooms; the other two have doubles. I will try to give you your first choice in terms of whether you want a single or a shared room, but since accommodations are limited, I will be assigning rooms on a first come, first served basis.

Price and Payment: The total cost for the retreat, including room and board, is $1550.00 (US) for a single occupancy room and $1300.00 (US) for a double. To reserve a spot, you need to pay a $300.00 non-refundable deposit. Another $500.00 (non-refundable) is due on May 1st, and the balance is due July 1, 2010. There will be no refunds after July 10th. If you have committed to the workshop, you are responsible for the full fee, except by special arrangement.

I take checks and credit cards (Visa and Mastercharge). Payment plans are possible under special conditions.

If you decide you're interested, you'll need to put your deposit down to guarantee your spot.

Transportation to Bolinas: Northern Californians are of course welcome to drive. I can let you know if there is someone else from your area who might be willing to carpool with you. And I will get you detailed directions. It takes an hour and a half to get to Commonweal from San Francisco, depending on traffic and road conditions.

If you are flying in: It's best to fly into the San Francisco airport (SFO). From there to Bolinas is a little more than an hour and a half drive, but it's not the easiest drive. It requires driving through San Francisco, over the Golden Gate Bridge and through Marin. Your choices are to rent a car and drive yourself (or to share a car with someone else arriving from out of town) or to use the driver who regularly shuttles people from the airport to Commonweal. He is a lovely man, someone delightful to drive with. Costs vary depending on the number of passengers and the price of gasoline.

Let me know if you have any more questions. And let me know right away whether or not you would like to join us, since spaces are at a premium. The last three years, the retreat sold out quickly.

What people are saying:

"Being with you: hearing your stories, experiencing your sweet humor, your laughter and your compassion allowed me to open to the changes I was going through. You were instrumental in making the workshop, and its aftermath, a profound life-changing event for me. Bless you."

--Estelle Kattelson, workshop participant

"Laura Davis is an exceptionally warm, motivating teacher. I never considered myself a writer until I took her workshop. Her caring attitude, personal concern for my well-being and progress, as well as her years of experience, inspired me to become a writer. I am writing almost every day now and will publish my first piece in October."

--Kathy Williams, singer and songwriter

"When I first met Laura Davis, I was still a fledgling writer. I knew how to tell a story, but I had a difficult time connecting with my work emotionally. After a week of writing practice with Laura and Natalie Goldberg, my work deepened far beyond anything I ever expected. Since that time, I've continued to work with Laura. Her teaching style is open and inspirational. She's been instrumental in helping me bring my characters to life. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to improve their writing and deepen their emotional connection with their work."

--Larry Snow, currently completing a novel, A Nearling's Story

"What is most compelling to me about Laura's work is the wonderful balance she conveys, both in person and in her writing, between being both a teacher and an ongoing, active learner. She is completely credible as she shares both her own and others' stories for the benefit of mutual learning. This is a relief from the more "expert" point of view, which has a way of making me feel small and disengaged."

--Kerry Messer, workshop participant, Oakland, California