Summer! After two intense months of book launches, multiple gatherings, and focusing on introducing The Acquisition of Elizabeth Grace (TAOEG) to readers, I stepped onto a plane to Italy and enjoyed curling up into an envelope of blissful anonymity. Traveling with my sister Katy (aka “Olivia” from TAOEG) to Lake Como, Milan and then Florence, we enjoyed long walks and fine food. Kim Shannon joined us in Florence and for our visit to Poggio Torselli (featured below). And then Sue Marshall arrived and she and I traveled into Tuscany for a week at the “Wide Open Writing” Writer’s Retreat and then on to Rome for a few days. Blink – three weeks sped by. Blink – I’m back home. Having been trained to avoid cliches and re-express thoughts in new words, I’d say: Home is heart, and I’m glad to be back and wrapped up within it.
What happens at a Writing Retreat?
Good question! Before attending I imagined that it would be a bit like school, weighted towards structured learning. Instead, the learning came through subtle sessions of self discovery, where each day’s theme led the way. Presence, Inspiration, Desire, Ritual, Manifestation and Gratitude each had a day of focus for an initial discussion, impromptu writing session and then a circle of sharing our work. We learned how to not apologize for fresh, new words splayed across the page and to simply state before we shared: “I just wrote this.” It became a unifying phrase over the week, as we witnessed raw emotion and creative writing, developed in the moment.
Among the thirteen participants, there were four fiction writers (Sue & I were two of them), one poet and eight non-fiction/memoir writers. I was blown away by the power of truth, and the writing by the non-fiction writers. Kleenex was in high demand.
Our days followed a pattern that reminded me of being on a Safari – each day had swaths of time on your own, and then you climbed into the truck with others and went on an adventure. The time on our own happened from whenever you got up (I kept the heavy wooden shutters open so the sun would wake me) to 10.30am. Our one and only rule at the retreat was to not talk to each other before 10.30am. We were like monks in a Monastery, nodding and smiling as we breakfasted in silence overlooking the valley view, curled up and read, typed away on our computers “writing”, or headed to join Pam at Yoga. Well, maybe monks don’t do Yoga, but it allowed for some spiritual moments. And this morning silence was a great way for thirteen people to co-exist for a week.
At 10.30am we had two hours together for discussion, impromptu writing and sharing, followed by lunch and a free afternoon. Most wrote, hiked or read, depending on how much decompression time each person needed. I was glad for the ten days of holiday before the retreat. I used most of my free time to write. At 5pm we gathered for another session similar to our morning one, and by dinner we were all very much glued together, having glimpsed inside each other’s souls. It’s wild how that works – no different to kids at camp, letting slip what they like and don’t like and making steadfast friends who understand and care.
And so, what happens at a Writing Retreat? You write words you might never have found. You listen to peers share stories you will remember forever. And you find a peace that quiets the noise, so you can hear what was there all along.
Pictures below: Desks I wrote from & areas we gathered for our discussions.
Sunday in Milan
Having visited major sites in Milan, the quiet of a bookstore beckoned on Sunday afternoon. While I couldn’t read the words in the books, I loved viewing the familiar covers, slightly changed in design for the Italian reader. And then at the check out, prominently set out for all to see, a tribute to Alice Munro. I was an ocean away from home, and there she was. So lovely to see her appreciated internationally.
Poggio Torselli
This villa and winery is an easy half hour from Florence. Nestled into the Chianti Classico hills and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, the land was first registered in 1427 and the villa was built in 1702. We toured the winery and villa, all lovingly restored by a friend of my sister, Katy, and had a special stop in the library to view rare books. Open by private appointment – I highly recommend a visit!
Twin-agers
Just before the May long weekend Twin-agers posted a recommendation for three books on Instagram. The Acquisition of Elizabeth Grace was one of them. I was included as a collaborator, allowing me to see the post’s progression. A month later it has 40k plays, and lots of likes, saves, shares and comments. Thank you Leslie and Cynthia! I’m floored by your reach. Check out @twinagers for a variety of topics surrounding changing the narrative on aging.
Authority Magazine
This article was fun to do. I loved their questions and enjoyed thinking back and capturing pivotal moments over time. (Note: When you click the link, if a box blocks your viewing, you can easily clear it by pressing the X in the right corner so you can read the article.)
Virginia and friends
Arriving back from Italy, I drove up to Collingwood on June 13th to join Virginia Rolph and her Book Club “Read between the Wines”. A big thank you to Ann and Virginia for hosting and to all who joined in with party dresses, hats and lots of poignant questions. Party sandwiches, scones and clotted cream were consumed with Rosé and other sparkling concoctions. Thanks to all for your kind words about The Acquisition of Elizabeth Grace!
Book Gathering at Giséle’s
On June 14th, I drove from Collingwood to Penetanguishene to visit with Giséle, her friends and seven of her eight sisters. It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed the warmth and sunshine on the back porch as we talked about The Acquisition of Elizabeth Grace, The Girlfriend Book and the writing journey. Thank you to all of you for your warm words about the book. And Giséle, your Lemon Meringue Pie was a “best ever”!
Book #3
My working title for this thriller is the protagonist’s name. It will be changed as the story firms up. I took the first draft in its full printed form to Italy with me (see binder in the picture), and spent time refining the plot line and writing bespoke excerpts that will create more depth. I presented the Prologue and Chapter 1 at our Salon on the final night, where it was well received. My writing continues to tighten, and I’m loving the focus on both characters and suspense within book #3.
Are you in a Book Club?
If you’re in a Book Club and your club decides to read one of my books, please reach out if you would like me to attend as a Guest Author. Depending on dates and location, this could be by zoom or in person, for some or all of your meeting … whatever works best for you. I can be reached through email at gwen@gwenkharvey.com. Thanks to all who have booked a time. I’m looking forward to our date!
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