Writing Retreat, Swellendam Cape Town October 2021

Sun Oct 17, 15:00 - Wed Oct 20, 09:30

Arumvale Country Retreat

ABOUT


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

of landscapes for a three-night retreat in late summer in South Africa.  


*** All the event information is also HERE on my website and you can find videos, references, and recommendations + loads of other retreats and online courses there. 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 R8,500 Deposit R6,000. Full payment by 1 October



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

* 3 nights accommodation at the most beautiful space in cottages.

* Generous breakfast and lunch at Grace and Merci Restaurant 

* Group dinner on the first night in town

* A guided writing process (tea and coffee provided)

* A one-on-one session 

* Structured feedback on your project 

* All course fee



COST EXCLUDES

* Flights 

* Visas and Travel insurance 

* Transfers to or from Cape Town (we will organise a transfer bus at an agreed fee)

* All drinks (at dinner)

* Dinner (except as noted)

* 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







 

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.

REVIEWS


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






 

VENUE

THE VENUE

Stanford Valley Guest Farm nestles in the valley of the Klein Rivier, 10km outside the quaint little town of Stanford and 1.5 hours from Cape Town.


The farm is home to charming, whitewashed cottages, sweeping lawns, paddocks and incredible mountain views.There is a spa with sauna, dip pool and a steam bath and you can book treatments and massages. 

All of the accommodation on our farm is built around a central werf, giving it the feeling of a small village whilst allowing each guest unit the privacy of its own stoep and garden. 


There are 10 large en-suite rooms. These double en-suite rooms retain the charming old style but offer modern conveniences, some with indoor/outdoor showers and others with a large bathtub.


Although these rooms do not have kitchenettes, they are equipped for tea & coffee making and include a mini fridge and fireplace for the winter months. There is a great writing desk inside, and tables to write outside. 

There is also a large dam we will swim in - or space to go hiking. Don’t be surprised if you startle a duiker or rheebok on the way.

CANCELLATION

CANCELLATION


BEFORE you book we want you to be sure you will attend. Please check all the dates and that you are free to travel.Our deposit is NON REFUNDABLE.


Your second and final payment is due by 1 October. If the retreat is cancelled for any reason this amount will be refunded.



COVID-TRAVELLING

It is your responsibility to make sure that your COVID testing admin is done correctly.


WHEN ARRIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Passengers travelling to South Africa will be refused entry if they do not hold a printed medical certificate of a negative Covid-19 PCR test result obtained within 72 hours prior to departure, from the date of examination. 

Passengers travelling to South Africa must hold a QR code showing they have filled out the travel health questionnaire online at https://sa-covid-19-travel.info/entryq/create not more than 48 hours days before travel.

Passengers travelling to South Africa are encouraged to install the contact tracing app COVID Alert SA at https://sacoronavirus.co.za/covidalert/, due to the outbreak of Covid-19.


TRAVEL INSURANCE AND VISAS

Travel insurance is your responsibility. Please note that there are no visa requirements. Remember to check that your passport is valid and has enough pages.

DIRECTIONS

Writing Retreat, Swellendam Cape Town October 2021
Arumvale Country Retreat
R326, Stanford
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