The Retreat 

Due to an enthusiastic response to last year's retreat, Lesléa Newman returns to provide more guidance and inspiration. She promises something for everyone—those who were with her last summer, as well as those who will attend for the first time. 

Over the course of the retreat weekend, Lesléa will lead us through simple, structured writing exercises taken from her book Write From the Heart to help shape our characters—to discover our truth, their truth, and how the two come together in story. This retreat will balance lectures and readings with individual writing exercises.

Tentative Schedule

We will begin to gather informally around 4:30 Friday afternoon. Meet Lesléa, purchase her books and have them signed, and greet old friends and make new ones. Dinner will be served at 6:00 and we will begin our program around 7:30.

On Friday night after dinner, we will start with introductions and goal setting. On Saturday we will work on characters, either characters from a work-in-progress or someone brand new, using small groups to help us focus and fine-tune the work we've done individually. Participants are encouraged but not required to share what they've written. After lunch on Saturday, there will be about an hour and a half break to use as you would like—a walk, a nap, or fellowship with other writers. On Saturday night, Lesléa will use her new novel Hachiko Waits to discuss research, voice, structure, tension, and revision. 

Sunday morning will be filled with more writing and exploration as we continue to delve more deeply into our characters and stories. Plan to go away with a head and notebook full of ideas and the enthusiasm to keep going once you are home! 

Manuscript Critiques 

Lesléa has graciously agreed to critique manuscripts at no additional charge, time permitting. If you have a picture book manuscript or a first chapter from a novel you'd like her to review, bring it along.

An author of over 40 books, almost half of which are for children, Lesléa Newman is also happy to answer your questions on writing, publishing, and living the life of a full-time author. We hope you will join us for an inspirational and creative weekend! 

Please note that this schedule is subject to change.

What to wear, what to bring:

• Dress casually and for comfort. There are nearby trails for walking and jogging, so bring your exercise shoes. Consider a jacket or sweater for those cool Colorado evenings.
• Bring work in progress or ideas you want to share.
• We will supply notebooks and pens, but if there is something special you prefer to write with or on, please bring it along.
  
  For more information on the Franciscan Center, see www.franciscanretreatcenter.org.

Write From the Heart—the Book

We encourage you to read Lesléa's book, Write From the Heart: Inspiration and Exercises for Women Who Want to Write (Tenspeed Press, 2003)

It's available in most bookstores and online from Amazon.com and other vendors.
We will also have the book for sale at the retreat.

What did people say about last year's retreat? Click here to find out!

Still have questions? Contact:

Christine Liu Perkins, Co-Regional Advisor (303) 666-9530 chris@rmcscbwi.org
Denise Vega, Co-Regional Advisor (303) 639-5473 denise@rmcscbwi.org