We’re currently working on some plans to make the retreats at Ca La Somara even more laden with goodness to recharge your batteries and add some zing to your creative energies…

To give enough time for the planning we’ve decided not to run an event this autumn.

Sorry if you were looking forward to it!  Do look out for information on events from the spring of 2010 onwards.

To make sure you get the dates as soon as they’re out you might want to sign up for the Absorbing Writing newsletter – just sign up in the box below.

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you in Sardinia soon.

Ciao

Joanna and Emma

If you make something remarkable, that’s because there’s something to talk about. ~ Seth Godin

It’s what Godin calls ‘the baxter’.

That extra sharp point on the top of your new rock climbing shoe? It’s a baxter. That service you get at the spa after your massage is over? Oh, you mean the baxter!

Reading his piece got me thinking about what the Absorbing Writing baxter is.

Of course we’re not creating a thing, we’re creating an experience.  A writing experience, for you.

Getting the place right is a huge part of it, and that’s why we knew Ca’ La Somara was the perfect venue.

But I think the thing that really sets us apart is our personal approach.

This is not a big business, running retreats and holidays throughout the year, with more customers than you could remember the names of.  We’re creating this experience twice a year, with groups of no more than 10 people at a time.

Our commitment is to making this experience work for you.  We think it’s good business… it’s also just the way we are.

It means we make and take the time to:

• Talk to you about what the retreat is about, and how it might fit with your dreams and ambitions
• Find out what your writing goals are, so we can make sure the retreat works for you
• Help you making travel arrangements
• Get to know you in advance, so once you’re here you’ll feel at home

It’s not an extra sharp point on the top of a climbing shoe… but for me, still something remark able.

If you’re interested in coming to the writing retreat in May but are still wondering about a few questions, or still feeling a little shy… why not drop us a line and test the baxter?

You can reach us at info@absorbingwriting.com

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Joanna

Here are Emma’s questions to me, and my answers.

1. What made you give up your career in the civil service to become a writing coach?

It seems quite hard to believe now but I worked for 10 years in the UK civil service, in a senior management job.  I left the job a couple of years ago to travel, write, and work out what I wanted to do next.  It probably had a lot to do with turning 40 and thinking ‘I don’t want to spend the rest of my life like this!’

The writing dimension was also important: I got tired of writing other people’s words and itched to write some of my own.  Plus the busyness of the job meant I didn’t get the time for the kind of one to one coaching and mentoring that I enjoy, and am good at.

I did learn a lot about confident writing though in that job, because you had to craft words quickly, often under impossible deadlines, without room for excess words or phrases that weren’t absolutely right.  [I think Emma's journalistic experience might bring out a similar approach... watch this space to see if it features in her interview too!]

2. What are you most looking forward to during the Absorbing Writing retreat in May?

Sitting outside over dinner at the end of the day and watching people’s faces, listening to their voices as they share what they’ve done, how they’ve felt, and what they’ve written that day.  Listening to the words people are willing to share, and feeling the shot of recognition run through me – recognising their stories, their words, the truth of what they’re telling.

3. What’s the biggest influence on your writing?

That’s a surprisingly hard question.  I guess what I aspire to is powerful non-fiction – memoirs, essays, some travel writing.  I’m also heavily influenced by those who teach who to do it, like Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’ .

I write on a blog most days and the act of writing on the internet, getting feedback, and reading the works of other thinkers online has definitely shaped and influenced the way I write.

4. What writing projects are you currently working on?

I have a book coming out in the spring based on the teaching I’ve done on my Confident Writing blog.

There’s another book in the pipeline on non-fiction writing styles, and I’m doing some memoir based work as part of my learning to teach the art and craft of memoir writing.

I’ll probably be bringing that memoir work along with me to Sardinia – I have a feeling it’ll help me get into the flow…

5. How do you overcome writer’s block?

I change location in order to change state.  Sometimes going for a walk is enough, but I love journeys, especially trains and boats.  I always find new ideas and words when I go on those kind of journeys.

The other thing I do is write what I’m resisting in a journal.  All the reasons I can’t or don’t want to write.  Once you’ve got the gunk out there it’s much easier to look your fears or blocks in the face, and move on.

Do you have any other questions you’d like to ask me?

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You most certainly do not need to be a professional writer or published author to come on the writing retreat in Sardinia.

The week away will be perfect if you:

• Enjoy writing, and want the time and space to indulge it, or develop it

• Write in one style, and want to stretch and explore a different writing form

• Have always wanted to write, but never had the encouragement or support to do so

• Enjoy blogging, and wonder what other kinds of writing might be fun or exciting to try

• Write as part of your job, and want to take it to another level – a book about your business perhaps

• Are making changes in your life, and think writing will be part of your future

• Are making changes in your life, and know that writing, creativity and self-expression is part of your transition

• Have a writing project that’s been on the backburner for ages, and you want to push it forward

• Enjoy holidays where you can learn new things, and develop your creativity

Convinced now?  I hope so

Some other questions we’re asked:

Are you going to focus on one particular writing genre?

No.  We’ll give you some prompts and exercises to get you writing but the form that takes will vary on who you are and how you like to write.  There’s plenty of space in the programme for you to work on your own project (if you have one).

What kind of writing programme can I expect?

The daily programme will include around two-hours of group conversation, exercises and writing in the morning with free time in the afternoon to do whatever you want.  We assume that will include writing!  But you might also want to siesta, walk, explore, daydream, go shopping..  There’ll be a chance for feedback and conversations about your writing over  dinner at night.

English isn’t my first language – can I still come?

If you write or want to write in English then… why not?  Our emphasis is on making you feel supported and confident in what you do and the words you want to share.  Emma teaches English as a second language (with one of her many hats on) and her experience will certainly help you to get the most from the week with us.

As I mentioned the other day, Emma and I deal personally with all the people who enquire about and sign up for the retreats.  That means we get a chance to learn from your questions, and keep on improving the information we provide.

Here are some answers to questions about the accommodation at Ca La Somara:

What are the different sorts of accommodation?

The retreat price of €795 is based on you sharing a room with one other person.  The rooms in the main accommodation area have a bathroom that’s shared between two rooms.  The people in the adjoining room (the other side of the shared bathroom) will also be participants on the retreat.

For a €10 a night supplement you can share a room with one other person, and have a private bathroom (for the two people in the room).

For a €20 a night supplement you can have a single room with ensuite bathroom.

I’m coming on my own – so who would I be sharing with?

We’d match you up with someone else on the retreat.  By the way the rooms are large and airy, and there’s plenty of spaces, nooks and crannies round and about the venue if you want to be on your own for a while.

It’s a retreat – does that mean we cook and clean ourselves?

Cleaning is included in the price (a weekly, not daily clean).  Breakfast and evening meals will be provided.  We’ll be organising something simple for lunch.  Cooking up is not required, but we won’t stop you from chipping in if you’d like to do some chopping or stirring.  (It’s pretty good for the creative process too.)

I’ve got specific dietary requirements – can the venue provide for that?

Yes, Ca La Somara has been catering for visitors for many years, including visitors from elsewhere on mainland Europe, the UK and US.  They’re happy to cater for particular dietary requirements, so long as they have notice.

Can I reserve a single room?

Yes, but they’re going on a first come first serve basis, so don’t hang around for ever!

Have you got any other questions we should be answering here?

And why not?  You’re making an investment of time, of money, and not least your creative energy into this week away. It’s not surprising you’d want to talk about it first, and get a feel for what we’re about, and who we are.

Luckily that’s just the way we like to work too. (Of course, I realise this isn’t really a coincidence).

Absorbing Writing is not a faceless business: it’s run by two individuals who are committed to creativity, self-expression and the wonders of exploration and travel.   We’re the people who will answer your queries (and don’t worry how weird and wonderful they might sound), help you work out travel plans, talk through your hopes and aspirations about the writing side of things… and greet you at the door when you arrive at Ca La Somara.

We’ve gone for a small, family-run business to provide the perfect accommodation for the retreat. It’s an agriturismo, which means that the food and drink will be sourced locally, and much of it grown on the land round about you.

We run this website ourselves, and one of things we’re learning is that you’ll never get all the information that people are looking for at the first time of trying.

So we’ve been adding bits and pieces in response to enquiries, and will also be compiling some of the most common questions and answers into articles here over the next week or so.

We’ll also be posting a couple of pieces to let you know a bit more about Emma and me.

You can follow along through the blog – as well as bookmarking you can get RSS updates (if you’re using a reader like Bloglines or Google reader) or direct to your inbox (click here to get updates to your inbox)

We do also have a keep in touch mailing list / newsletter – you can sign up for that in the box below

Meantime, if you’ve any questions about the retreat please do let us know – either by e-mail (info@absorbingwriting.com) or in the comment box below.

Thanks!

The prospect of a week in Sardinia in early May is pulling me forward through the dark winter months. It’s the prospect of:

• Sunshine and big skies
• Spring flowers emerging on the road sides
• The chance to explore some more of the Costa Smerelda
• A week of good food and drink
• Intelligent, thoughtful company with a group of people who love to write

Holidays are a great way to stretch, breathe out and emerge into the light. But maybe sometimes we need to do the same thing with our words and writing too.

Take The Wraps Off Your Writing

It’s all too easy to find that your writing is buried in layers too. There are lots of reasons why this might happen:

• You’ve run out of time or creative space to move something from the concept stage
• You’re covering a fear of criticism with excess words, or procrastination techniques
• You’re not letting yourself start, because you don’t believe ‘you are a writer’
• You’ve got stuck, and bored, and need something that will kick start your motivation and enthusiasm again
• You’re tired and stressed out, so writing has been moved to the back burner

The writing retreat has been designed to help you get past those blocks.

To give yourself the time, the space, and the environment to write.

To soak up inspiration from your surroundings – including the gift of great conversation with people who are interested in and supportive of your work.

To recharge your batteries – and to unleash your creativity again.

If any of this sounds like you… and you know you’re ready to take the wraps off your writing: please do get in touch. There are still places available for our May writing workshop in Sardinia (May 4 – 11)

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Photo Credit: For He’s a ‘Jowly’ Good Fellow by Pete Zarria on Flickr

Here are some of them:

1. The sea. Sardinia’s coastline is spectacular. From stretches of white sandy beaches to intimate, secluded coves,  Sardinia boasts surprise after surprise. As for the sea itself, think emerald jewels, peacock feathers, cornflowers, forget-me-knots,  and sapphires. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you’ll stumble upon another beach, another setting, even more beautiful than the last.

2. The signature scent. A summery tangle of juniper, lemongrass, jasmine, honeysuckle, thyme, myrtle, rosemary and almonds whipped together with salty sea air, the Profumo Sardo as I like to call it never fails to boost my spirits and make me feel alive.

3. The granite rocks. Unless you’re permanently fast asleep, you won’t be able to help but notice the craggy granite rocks looming up around Ca’ La Somara and San Pantaleo, the nearby town which is just a brisk half-hour walk away.

4. The lifestyle. Sardinia has one of the oldest populations in the world. Although genes play a part, the longevity is also said to be down to the healthy living, good food and antioxidant-rich red wine. That’s something I can vouch for. When I lived in England, I was a permanent fixture in the GP’s waiting room. Now on the rare occasions I do get a cold, it’s gone within 24 hours.

5. The hospitality. Sardinians are famed throughout Italy for their hospitality, genuinely going out of their way to make you feel at home.  On several occasions I’ve gone into bars and restaurants and realized just after ordering that I don’t have any money on me. The result is a heartfelt ‘don’t worry, it’s more important that you eat well’ rather than a threat to make me wash the dishes. All that from people I’ve never met before.

We know you’re coming on the Absorbing Writing retreat to write, but I promise that you’ll go home with your soul nourished, too.

Tempted to join us? Find out more about the May Writing Retreat here

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That’s one of the reasons I’m pleased to be back in Sardinia after the Christmas break.

With the sun shining, it’s actually been warm enough to sit outside to drink my morning cappuccino which is cappuccino as God intended. None of that milk and coffee being poured into the cup at the press of a button that I drank in motorway services. No, this one was perfect – rich espresso topped with a velvet blanket of steamed milk.

For the past six years, I’ve been in Sardinia and for the past six years I’ve been drinking perfect cappuccino in bars up and down the country.

I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s impossible to be bad tempered when you drink cappuccino in a bar. It’s as if that velvet blanket of milk jumps out of the white china cup and envelops you to the point that all your worries disappear…

When you think about food and drink in Sardinia… what would you most like to make the time for?

Photo Credit: Capuccino by Auntie P on flickr

It’s the time you make plans, daydream, set resolutions and intentions, and work out what places you want to visit in the 12 months ahead.

Maybe “writing holiday” or “writing retreat” has determinedly made it to your wish list for 2009.  Maybe you know this is the year when you need:

1. Time out from your work, busyness and routines to recharge your creative batteries

2. The chance to meet some interesting and like-minded people

3. The affirmation that you’re a writer (yes you are)

4. The freedom to walk, talk, write, eat, drink, laugh, cry, learn… and write some more

5. A place that will make you feel restful, safe, at home

6. An environment that will make you feel optimistic, energised, inspired

7. A burst of sunshine (without frying in the heat).  Light and warmth to write.

8. Time, support and feedback to get that writing project moving.  Or done.

9. Decent food and drink, washed down with good conversation.  To make you feel human again.

10. The journey to an island, signalling, always, the start of something new.

If any of those sound like the things on your writing wish list for 2009 then a week with us at Ca’ La Somara in May 09 might be just what the doctor ordered.

Find out more here or get in touch to register your interest.