Fall Colours Writing
Retreat
Friday, October
18 – Monday, October 21
Register by Sept 11 to be sure of a spot!
The Briars Resort & Spa on Lake Simcoe
55 Hedge Road, Jackson’s Point, Ontario, Canada (Map here)
Give
yourself a 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 Peacock House |
The setting: Originally a Regency-style Manor House built by Captain William Bourchier in 1840, the estate was purchased in 1870 by Dr. Frank Sibbald, who added two wings to the manor house, a coach house, a brick stable and of course a peacock house, because where else are you going to keep your peacocks?
The Briars
also has a storied literary history. Humorist
Stephen Leacock was a great friend of the Sibbalds, visited often, and is
buried just down the road from the resort at the pretty St. George’s
churchyard, as is author Mazo de la Roche. De la Roche’s Jalna series were worldwide bestsellers, making her
one of Canada’s bestselling authors ever. Indeed, her books are available to
this day from Dundurn Press.
Today, the
Briars still offers the warmth of a country estate steeped in history while
providing all the benefits of an extensive, modern lakeside resort.
Rates
include accommodation. Each room has a king, queen or two
twin beds, and an en-suite four-piece bathroom.
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 Spa treatments – but
you might want to check those out (see here).
All
activities included. When you’re not writing, or for spouses who
accompany you, there is plenty to do. The resort has an indoor and outdoor
pool, a well-equipped exercise room, and a games room with pool, shuffleboard,
ping pong, and foosball. The beautiful Lake Simcoe setting offers idyllic
opportunities for biking and hiking, with the resort featuring its own nature
trails and with other trails three kilometers down the road at Sibbald Point
Provincial Park. And of course, there are plenty of nooks around the resort
that are ideal for reading, resting and unwinding.
Check-in on
Friday is 4 p.m. Our first writing get-together will be at 5 p.m. On Monday,
we'll have our last writing get-together at 10 a.m., ending at 11 a.m. Check
out is at 12 noon. (though we may push the Monday schedule an hour later if the
resort isn't full and they can accommodate a 1 p.m. check out) But once you’ve
had lunch, don’t feel you have to rush off! You can stay for the rest of the
day, enjoying the amenities of the resort. Participants are welcome to
bring a non-participating significant other.
Read about
previous retreats here {and scroll
down}.
Fee, including both the
writing retreat and accommodation, meals, coffee & snack service, tips and
all resort amenities, for all three nights: $1761.06 plus 13% hst.
Or if
you're sharing a room with another participant in the writing retreat, the fee
is $1,274.34 plus 13% hst each for all three nights
Not
included: alcoholic drinks (or any drinks bought at Drinkwaters Lounge), spa
services, golf or other extras.
Bring a
(non-participating) significant other along for the weekend to
share your room for an additional $283.19 plus hst per night (includes
accommodation, meals and all resort amenities, but not the writing part of the
retreat). This is special reduced pricing offered by the Briars for conference
participant spouses.
Book early
– space is limited! So that we can maintain physical distancing, we'll have fewer
people at the retreat than we’ve had in the before-times, so it will be a more
intimate experience and participants will have more opportunity for one-on-one
coaching with Brian. Full receipts issued.
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).
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.
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.
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
you need to let me know ASAP, so I can let the staff know about your needs.
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.
Is there
cell phone reception and WIFI?
Alas, yes.
How about
alcohol?
The resort
serves alcohol with meals and has a licensed lounge called Drinkwaters. 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 (here)
or a round of gold, though that’s extra, and you book these directly with the
resort {not through Brian}.
Can I bring
my spouse (or partner or friend)?
If you want
to share your room with a partner, they’re very welcome. Just let them 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.
