Fall Colours in Muskoka
Writing Retreat
Friday,
October 20 – Monday, October 23, 2023
Sherwood Inn on Lake Joseph
1090 Sherwood Road, Port Carling, Ontario, Canada (Map here)
Give
yourself four days of writing time – a
long weekend of instruction, inspiration and creativity. Award yourself with
time away from distractions, with no dishes to do, delicious food at
every meal, and with the leisure you need to sit with your feet up and
write.
The retreat
will feature both instruction and guided writing exercises, plus one-on-one
critiquing and coaching from Brian. You’ll also have lots of time to
relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with your creativity. All writing levels
welcome. Whether you’re just beginning or have a novel in progress, please join
us.
The setting: Sherwood is
an elegant resort started some eighty years ago by Harry Draper, a Toronto
lawyer who fell in love with the Muskoka’s. He envisioned Sherwood as a
charming estate rather than as a sprawling hotel and wanted guests to feel as
if they were staying at a friend’s cottage. Sherwood Inn, especially the
Inn building itself, still maintains that warm, old-Muskoka charm.
Thomas B. Costain, author of numerous best-selling historical novels,
including The Chalice and The Black Rose, was
a regular guest, so the Inn has a track record as a good spot for writing.
Lawren Harris and George Thomson (brother of Tom Thomson) both painted here,
though the century-old pines surrounding the Inn would have been a bit younger
then.
Rates
include accommodation. Rooms
are located in the main Inn. Each room includes a queen bed, an en-suite three-piece bathroom, and
a desk (for writing).
For double occupancy, there are a limited number of rooms available in
the Maplewood building, with two double beds.
All meals – Friday
dinner, Saturday and Sunday breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday breakfast and
lunch – are provided, as are coffee & snack breaks on Saturday and Sunday.
Alcoholic beverages are extra, as are golf and Spa treatments.
Activities
included: We’re between seasons – too late for swimming, too early for cross-country
skiing – but if we have a warm fall so that the water is not yet too cold,
canoes and kayaks will still be available. There are also hiking trails, fat
bikes, tennis courts and shuffleboard, and a regular bonfire. Unlike our
Algonquin retreats, there is also Internet (alas), so if you must know what’s
going on in the world, you can keep up. We recommend, though, that
you relax in one of the many strategically placed Muskoka chairs throughout the
property, enjoy the soothing wilderness sounds and let your creative juices
flow.
Additional
activities: The Inn also features a comfortable licensed lounge and a spa. “True
North MVMNT is dedicated to getting you moving towards your happiest and
healthiest self! We provide professional Massage Therapy and Esthetic services
for all ages and backgrounds.” Spa treatments are not included in the
package, but if you're interested, you should certainly book an
appointment (here).
There are various attractions in the area, including the Muskoka Lakes
(Cranberry) Farm and Winery, just 8 minutes down the road, cruises out of Port
Carling, weather permitting, plus one outstanding golf course that will still
be open, depending on the weather. (Something of a theme here.)
Check-in on Friday
is 4 p.m. Our first writing get-together will be at 5 p.m. Check-out on Monday
is at 11:30 a.m. Followed by lunch. Feel free to arrive early – your
room may well be ready – and in any case, before 4 p.m. on Friday and after
lunch on Monday, you're welcome to use the resort's facilities.
Instructor Brian Henry has been a
book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He
publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada’s most popular blog for
writers, teaches creative writing at Ryerson University and has led workshops
everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Saint John. But his
proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get their first
book published and launch their careers as authors.
Read about
previous retreats here {and scroll
down}.
Fees for
single occupancy:
Including both the
writing retreat and accommodation, meals, coffee & snack
service, and all resort amenities: $1484.96, plus 13% hst for
the three nights.
All fees
include tips.
Not
included in any quoted prices: alcoholic drinks, spa
services, golf, or other extras (tipping for these is also extra).
Bring a (non-participating) significant other along for the weekend to
share your Inn room for an additional $146.02 plus hst per night
($165 per night) (includes accommodation, meals and all resort amenities,
but not the writing part of the retreat or our coffee breaks).
If you and your significant other want to upgrade to a Maplewood room – either a king bed or 2 doubles – add $96.46 plus hst for the three nights.
Double occupancy: If you’re coming with a friend, partner, or spouse and you’re both participating in the retreat, there are a limited number of rooms in the Maplewood building which include two double beds. Fee per person, including both the writing retreat and accommodation, meals, coffee & snack service, and all resort amenities: $1223.01, plus 13% hst for the three nights.
Book early
– space is limited!
For more
information or to register, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca
Note: Bookings for accommodations for this retreat
must be done through Brian (unlike our retreats in Algonquin, where you book
your accommodations through the resort). Participants may tack on additional
nights at the resort before or after the retreat; these are offered at a
special discounted rate. Additional nights need to be booked directly with
the resort, after booking your space in the workshop.
Who can
attend the retreat?
Everyone
interested in developing their writing skills is welcome to attend, whether
you're aspiring writer or an accomplished author or simply enjoy writing as a
hobby. There is no requirement for you to have been previously published
or even to have an intention to publish.
Should I
bring my work in progress?
Yes! If you
have an on-going writing project, bring it with you. Bring more than you expect
to get to; you'll have lots of time for writing. Besides, you may want to
switch projects or share a project that’s just started or one that’s all done,
except for reading it to a small, appreciative audience. If you’re not
currently working on anything, don’t worry, we’ll get you writing.
Should I
bring my laptop?
Yes! Unless
you only work on paper. Or bring both – your laptop and your writing pad. No
sense being short of essential supplies.
I'm a poet
/ playwright / other writer. Is this retreat for me?
The retreat is open to anyone who enjoys writing. Instruction will focus
on narrative writing; i.e., stories, whether fiction or memoir. But if you’re
an essayist or poet or whatever, you’re entirely welcome.
Can you cater to specific dietary requirements?
Yes. But please let me know ASAP. The resort would like those sorts of
details a month in advance.
I want to
stay longer or arrive early. Is that possible?
If you want
to arrive early or stay longer, that’s fine. You’ll book the Friday, Saturday,
and Sunday night with Brian, and arrange any additional nights with the resort;
just make sure they know you’re with Brian Henry’s writing group – they’ve got
a good rate for you.
Is there
cell phone reception and WIFI?
Yes.
How about
alcohol?
The resort
serves alcohol with meals and has a licensed lounge. Guests are also welcome to
bring their own wine, beer or whatever for consumption in their room. (Though
do note that Hemingway’s advice to write drunk, mostly produces drivel.)
Can I use
the spa at the resort or play a round of golf?
Yes, you
can certainly book a spa treatment, though that’s extra, and you book these
directly with the resort {not through Brian}. Check with the resort whether
golf courses in the area will still be open. It may depend on the
weather.
Can I bring
my spouse (or partner or friend)?
If you want
to share your room with a partner, they’re very welcome. Inn rooms each have
one queen bed. If you want a king bed or two beds, upgrade to a room in the
Maplewood. Just let your partner know you’ll be spending most of your time
writing, (though you will have some free time every day).
For more
information or to register, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca
See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.
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