Writing Retreat, Cape Town November 2019

The group is intimate and we are gathering in the most beautiful and magical of landscapes for a five-night retreat in summer.  

This retreat is for anyone with a book in their heart. You may be a new writer, or an experienced writer who simply needs time away to immerse in your book. It will guide you through the process of writing a book from start to finish. You need nothing but your ideas in order to attend. 

Unlike many courses that take you through the theory of writing and plotting, this course is geared towards getting you working on the book. By the end of the retreat you will be well on your way to writing your book. You will have the entire book plotted or outlined and your first few chapters written. 

It is a challenge to act on your desire. 

Learn how to write, edit and market your novel, structure and storytelling, character, plotting, 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.

This retreat is part of The Writing Room's many retreats and mentorship programmes. You can find me at this link where you can see all the offerings and how I can best support your writing.

COST 2019

Sharing room R8,900 per person. Deposit R5,500.

Single room R16,800 Deposit R4,500.

* Full payment by 10 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 as places fill up fast. We can jump on a quick call to discuss if this is right for you. 

FIRST STEP: Sign up for detailed information and how to join here

NEXT STEP: You will get an application form - please fill it in and return it

THEN: On acceptance pay your deposit to secure your place

Writing Coach and agent Sarah Bullen

COST INCLUDES

* 5 nights accommodation at the most beautiful guest farm

* All meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner and all snacks and teas and coffee.

* A guided writing process 

* A one-on-one session 

* Structured feedback on your project 

* Tea and coffee and light snacks during breaks.

* All course fees

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

COST EXCLUDES

* Flights 

* Transfers to Tulbach from Cape Town. 

* Massages 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 a magnificent farmhouse situated just 1.5 hours outside Cape Town. It is on the fringes of the small town of Tulbach. 

The farm itself is out of town, nestled amongst indigenous fynbos. It is the ideal space for rest and relaxation and to let the muse of writing find you. You can immerse yourself in nature and the tranquility of the abundant fynbos and bird life. The farm has a swimming dam, vineyards, olive groves and walking trails through the pristine countryside. ?

The is a nurturing space where self-discovery, empowerment and deep healing can be explored.

The newest edition to the farmhouse is a yoga studio. The studio doubles up as a space which can be used for workshops or group healing sessions. With sustainable bamboo flooring, floor to ceiling windows and soft lighting this space will allow for a tranquil and calm environment in which to heal.

I spent this last week with Sarah, Anel 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

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 

“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, Anel 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. - Jill 

“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. The setting in the beautiful Greek village of Eressos is magic as well, perfect for one's imagination to flourish!

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)

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 Baxter 2017