“The Tanglewood Collective” by Denisha Naidoo

One Writer’s Experience at the Arowhon Pines Writers' Retreat 

Eight of us gathered on comfortable couches and chairs in the Tanglewood cabin at the Arowhon Pines Resort with our instructor, Brian Henry. We’d come to write, and at some point during the weekend, we dubbed ourselves, “The Tanglewood Collective.” Most of us didn’t know each other beforehand, but we soon got comfortable, and I enjoyed meeting Brian in person for the first time after over a year of online classes.

Arowhon Pines is nestled at the end of a gravel road in Algonquin Park on Joe Lake, with no cellular reception or WIFI. The cabins are rustic and luxurious with private rooms and ensuite bathrooms. In this peaceful setting, we heard only the chirping of birds in the morning and the haunting echo of loons on the lake in the evening.

A few of the dinner time appetizers

The staff pampered us and our Matre de, Eric, created a five-star dining experience replete with gourmet food beyond belief. Remember to bring your own alcohol if you wish, as none is available at the resort.

While we all came to write, we brought with us different agendas, backgrounds and expectations. The park appealed to my love of nature, and (unlike most participants) I found myself outside exploring instead of at my laptop writing.

Our retreat began on a cool Friday afternoon. We convened in the common room of the Tanglewood cabin where our rooms were located. The occasion called for a cozy wood fire to complement the peaceful view of the lake. Brian started us off with introductions and a writing exercise to get our creative juices flowing.

The group ate together at a large table where we exchanged ideas, experiences and support. After dinner we took turns reading our work – everything from first drafts to polished stories ready for submission. If the author wished, the group gave feedback. While sharing our work was not mandatory, I found it difficult not to be swept up in the energy and inspiration that flowed around the cabin.

Mornings began with coffee or tea and fresh baked goods, often enjoyed on the porch overlooking the lake – a lovely time and place to write or to take in the early morning sun and fine mist rising off the water. After breakfast, we met for more writing tips from Brian. Then it was time to write unless you’re like me and ended up hiking, kayaking or swimming.

Moose in Joe Lake

On Saturday afternoon, some of us went out on a pontoon boat tour of nearby lakes and caught sight of a moose, a nesting loon and a family of geese swimming in a line.

Throughout the weekend, we each had an opportunity to meet with Brian for two one-on-one sessions, ask questions during our meetings or over a meal. There was time to write, to be alone, with the community, or to play in nature and before I knew it, the retreat came to an end.

If you’re contemplating going, I highly recommend it. In a magical location amongst a supportive community, beautiful, unexpected things happen. Ideas blossom and come to life. This was my first retreat, and I’m already booked to go back.

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Denisha Naidoo is a South African born Canadian poet, writer and Wild Woman living in Guelph, Ontario, with her dog Maverick. Her work has appeared in Killer Nashville Magazine, Amazing Stories, Gramarye, PRISM International, Passager Books, Prairie Fire, The Temz Review, The New Quarterly, Open Minds Quarterly, Braided Way Magazine, and Ladies Briefs: A Short Anthology. 

She also published a podcast of her novella, The Amazing Adventures of Wig Girl here. Visit Denisha at her website here.

See more pieces about or inspired by Brian’s retreats, workshops and classes here.

For information about upcoming writers’ retreats, at both Arowhon Pines in Algonquin Park and Sherwood Inn, in Muskoka, see here (and scroll down).

See all upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day  retreats here.