Writing Retreat, Cape Town March 2021

Wed Mar 10, 10:00 - Sun Mar 14, 10:00

Temenos

ABOUT


Update .... We are full - our next retreat in McGregor South Africa in October 2021 please see that one here ****


The group is intimate and we are gathering in the most beautiful and magical

of landscapes for a four (or five) night retreat in late summer in South Africa.  


****

All the event information is also HERE and you can find videos, references and recommendations as well as load of other retreats, group or ways we can write on my website. I have an entire page of review of retreats .




This retreat is for anyone with a book, or a writing project, in their heart. You may be a new writer, or an experienced writer who simply needs time away to immerse in your writing. Join writing coach and literary agent Sarah Bullen from The Writing Room for a magical, lazy retreat to get your writing project started - or finished.



It will guide you through the process of writing a book, or finishing one. You need nothing but your ideas in order to attend. 


"I love to get writers away from their lives and into a writing immersion. I have found in my own writing that it is the only way I can dive into a story and make any sort of progress. So, much of the time together will be spent writing!"


Mornings will be a structured class with afternoons free to pour your words onto the page. We gather in the evenings for reading, feedback and storytelling. 


Join writers at many different levels coming on these Retreats. Some are starting a book and need more guidance, others working on the 2nd or 3rd books. Still other writers join to journal or write poetry.



For those who need a push, structured sessions will show you how to write, edit and market your book, find a structure, character, plot, advanced plotting and pace, how to construct scenes, best writing techniques, timelines and schedules, genre and finding your voice, preparing your manuscript, how to approach publishers, how to write your marketing material, new publishing models.


All genre's are welcome - novels, memoir, non-fiction, poetry, children's books. 


2021 costs


Single room R11,700 Deposit R4,000. Full payment by 14 February.

Sharing room R7,900 per person.  (Covid compliant couple or friend only) Deposit R4,000 per person. Full payment by 14 February.


All writers are invited to stay the Sunday night free of charge (restaurant is not open)


Please note a deposit is required to secure your place. This is non-refundable as per our T&Cs.

Please be clear before your book.



Writing coach and literary agent

Sarah Bullen is your retreat leader



COST INCLUDES

* 4 nights accommodation at the most beautiful cottages. All cottages have kitchens to encourage quiet time and deep writing.

* All meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner

* A guided writing process 

* A one-on-one session with Sarah to work on your writing

* Structured feedback on your project within the group

* All course fees

* A shared guest kitchen with tea, coffee and a fridge for all your extra snacks or particular food.


COST EXCLUDES

* Flights to Cape Town, South Africa

* Transfers to McGregor from Cape Town (we will organise a bus transfer for those needing a lift at around R400 each way)

* Massages, healing therapies or any additional services



YOU WILL LEARN

* How to Define and Create Your Most Compelling Book

* The Elements of Structure

* Finding Your Book Genre and Sub-Genre

* Creating Plot, Place and Character Outlines for your Genre

* Adding Plot Points and Structure

* Beginnings, Middles and Ends

* Developing Your Main Character

* Developing Your Minor Characters

* Developing Your Voice

* Developing Point of View as a Plotting Technique

* How to Improve your plotting, pace and structure

* How to make your characters unforgettable

* Adding Depth and Layers?

* Sourcing Tips and Techniques

* How to Present Your Book to Publishers


THE VENUE


The retreat is held in Temenos, McGregor. McGregor is a charming, well-preserved mid 19th century village just two hours out of Cape Town with its quaint, thatched cottages. It sits at the foot of the Riversonderend Mountains in the Western Cape.The beautiful gardens offer a contemplative milieu to support your embrace of inner stillness and silence. There are many spaces within the grounds where you can withdraw to for quiet meditation or reflection. It is the ideal space for rest and relaxation and to let the muse of writing find you. This is a nurturing space where self-discovery, empowerment and deep healing can be explored.   




?I have been charmed by the magic of being cared for and boosted alongside a group of creative others in a health-giving space, and a month later, my writing is still flourishing under the spell.’? 

?UK Journalist Caroline Sylger Jones READ THE FULL REVIEW 



"Thank you so much for an unforgettable week in Tulbach. The beautiful feminine energy, the gentle, nurturing environment that blended with the physical care taken with the healthy, organic food, yoga sessions and massages all conspired to bringing about a luxurious introspection into spaces that I have allowed to become dusty corners of my imagination. Carin Combrink, Forgotten Waterfall , 2019


"I spent this last week with Sarah and the other writers at the Write your Novel Retreat in the Cape. This was truly the most inspiring and motivating thing I have ever done for myself. Sarah's guidance is invaluable. Working our way through the writing process with Sarah has left me feeling far more equipped to pursue my dream. And her personal insights into my project has taken it to another level. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone, regardless of where you are writing wise. Amazing experience. Hanri Mostert 2017


Sarah and Kate’s writing mentorship is the stick of dynamite you need to stop gazing at your own navel and instead gaze at a finish line that gets steadily closer. If you’ve been struggling to get your ideas out of your head and onto the page, this mentorship will prove invaluable.  – Meg Chronis


There is a special magic that happens in this little village. Creativity is emboldened, a gentle release is inevitable and all anxiety seeps away, allowing and encouraging you to write your book. I was supported and held by the professional and talented partnership that is Sarah and Kate. They are an extraordinary team with heart, backbone and intellect and lots of experience with publishing. If you are considering a writing retreat don't think twice! Do it. 

Gabi Lowe 2018, author Get Me to 21

 


 I attended this retreat in June/July 2019 and have never been on a more profound experience in my life. Kate and Sarah unlocked my creativity with their gentle guidance and their expert knowledge. It is more than just a writers retreat - it is a journey into discovery of self and your potential. I highly recommend this retreat to any one who wishes to write something or even just want to explore their own thoughts. Swimming to the famous rock was a highlight for me and I overcame my limiting beliefs in a very safe environment. Give yourself this gift at least once in your life.

Mary-Joe Emde SA


If you can only go on one writing retreat in your lifetime, this is the one to choose. Sarah is a truly inspired coach, seconded by Kate. They create a caring, trusting atmosphere conducive to making progress on your own writing. A truly galvanizing experience!

Beverly Pimsleur USA 2019

 

A really wonderful retreat, I went there with one project in mind & came out having written a quarter of a memoir instead. The hosts are AMAZING & the energy of the group was so encouraging, inspiring and uplifting. I have changed for the better since the retreat and attribute these positive changes to the wonderful time I had here.  Ani Naqvi UK 2019


This "write a novel" course was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. - Kate Baxter 2017 


“Thanks must go to Sarah Bullen who made me put aside the unsellable rubbish I wanted to write and write this (hopefully not unsellable rubbish) instead. In 'A Million Miles from Normal', Paige Nick (Penguin 2010)


I spent this last week with Sarah and the other writers at the Retreat in the Cape. This was truly the most inspiring and motivating thing I have ever done for myself. Sarah's guidance is invaluable. Working our way through the writing process with Sarah has left me feeling far more equipped to pursue my dream. And her personal insights into my project has taken it to another level. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone, regardless of where you are writing wise. Amazing experience. - Jill Aslett


“This course is a journey of discovery. I went into places from my past as if I was still living them. I can’t stop writing now,”

Isabelle Hartha, 2014


I found Sarah Bullen's Memoir Writing Workshop to be highly useful and informative, I had been writing memoir for years with books as my guide, but she broadened my awareness of what good memoir writing consists of better than any book I've ever read on the subject. Her teaching style is concise, clear, inspiring, and filled with rich suggestion, I left feeling much more aware of what it takes to write good memoir and would highly recommend this workshop to anyone who is interested in memoir writing.

Jackie Heim (Canada)


Dear Sarah,

That was the best writing course I’ve ever been on. Thank you so much. I learned so much, and I can apply it immediately to my third novel. Helen Brain (Elevation Trilogy)


 

ABOUT SARAH

Sarah Bullen is a writing coach and literary agent who has been coaching and inspiring writers globally since 2005. She works with writers and publishers all over the world to help them find and tell their best story - in any format.  

Sarah  has written six books including two non-fiction books: ‘Hey Baby: The Hip New Mom’s Guide’ and ‘Romance 101, Can your Relationship Survive your Kids?’ published by Penguin Random House Struik, two children's books, a genre romance and a screenplay. She has ghostwritten a number of books.  

Sarah also does storytelling and she is an international speaker delivering talks on How to Tell a Story. She is a regular guest on talk shows and at writing workshops and does one-on-one writing coaching, journalling journeys and development work through writing. Sarah’s clients are based all over the world and she runs courses and retreats in the UK, US Greece, Ireland and South Africa.
Sarah lives between Cape Town and Greece.

PAST PARTICIPANTS


I have so many review of my various retreats I run around the world I have a whole page for them. Read them here

Thank you so much for an unforgettable week in Tulbach. The beautiful feminine energy, the gentle, nurturing environment that blended with the physical care taken with the healthy, organic food, yoga sessions and massages all conspired to bringing about a luxurious introspection into spaces that I have allowed to become dusty corners of my imagination.  Carin Combrink, 
 Forgotten Waterfall , 2019


This retreat was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. Thank you Sarah and Anel! - Kate Baxter 2017 

That was the best writing course I’ve ever been on. Thank you so much. I learned so much, and I can apply it immediately to my third novel.  Helen Brain (Elevation Trilogy) 2018
Dear Sarah,

This "write a novel" course was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. Thank you Sarah and Anel! - Kate 2017 


I spent this last week with Sarah and the other writers at the Write your Novel Retreat in the Cape. This was truly the most inspiring and motivating thing I have ever done for myself. Sarah's guidance is invaluable. Working our way through the writing process with Sarah has left me feeling far more equipped to pursue my dream. And her personal insights into my project has taken it to another level. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone, regardless of where you are writing wise. Amazing experience. Hanri Mostert 2017






 

DIRECTIONS

Writing Retreat, Cape Town March 2021
Temenos
Mcgregor, McGregor, 6708
Get Directions