SAVE THE DATE!
Women's Writing Retreat
September 7-10, 2023

- ​​​Want to re-connect to your writing?
- Seeking some inspiration and some "me" time?
- Needing a relaxing break in a gorgeous setting?
- Ready to re-charge and connect with other women writers?
- Looking for some fun writing exercises and some insights into revision?
 - Hungry for some rich discussions about the Writing Life?

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Retreat Overview 

Join us for a relaxing and inspiring weekend. The retreat will be a mix of writing sessions, collaging, inspiring discussions about the writing life, optional readings to share work, and plenty of time to write, read, and explore the area. Open to all writing levels and genres. All sessions are optional. This weekend is for you.

We start at 4pm on Thursday, Sept. 7, and end after lunch on Sunday, Sept. 10. 

This retreat is for women writers/female identifying writers. This retreat is a safe space. We do not discriminate against anyone, regardless of age, color of skin, national origin, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, gender expression and identity, sexual orientation, or anything else. We expect the same from all participants. 

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Your Retreat Includes:

• Four days of classes and discussions led by an expert writing teacher and creativity coach, and award-winning author​​
• Evening gatherings to listen to and share your work ​
• Happy Hour discussions about the writing life (topics determined via registration form)
• Time to collage with access to collage materials all weekend
• Delicious, organic meals and desserts made by someone else
• Gorgeous location with time to explore, chill out, and re-charge
• Three nights lodging in a lovely house in a secluded area
• Nine lunches and dinners served buffet style, and daylong access to the well-stocked kitchen
• Plenty of time to write, read, relax, and connect with other women writers
• Option for a 1-1 session with Melanie at the retreat to discuss your work. ​​​
• Boost your luxury! Massage appointments are available throughout the weekend. Massages are scheduled after you arrive for an additional $85/hour and take place in an on-site massage room. 

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Location, Accommodations & Food

Situated on 27 secluded acres, Blue Mountain Retreat Center (1032 Hoffmaster Rd Knoxville, MD) is a 75-minute drive from DC and just 10 minutes from Harper's Ferry and the C&O Canal walking paths.  
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This comfortable retreat, originally a large family home, has a spacious open kitchen and living area. A large open deck, partially covered, is available for eating, reading, and writing. A few steps away is a separate building for workshops and there is an on-site massage room. All bedrooms have access to three shared hall bathrooms. The rooms have twin-size European-style platform beds and high quality mattresses for a simple but very comfortable stay. 

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Delicious homemade organic meals are dairy and gluten-free, and served buffet style. Hearty vegetarian options are offered, and and other dietary needs are accommodated. The retreat owner, Beth, is well-loved for her delicious and generous desserts at both lunch and dinner. The kitchen is well stocked for self-serve breakfasts and use throughout the day. Participants are welcome to bring their own food items (but ask first! Beth stocks the kitchen with a lot of alternatives already.)

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Praise for Melanie's previous retreats

- "I was inspired by all the women and their writing projects. It was exhilarating to be surrounded by women writers and talk about writing all weekend!"

- "It was a great opportunity to refocus my attention on something that is important to me and that I don't always take the time to nurture. Doing this in community allowed me to feel motivated and supported."

​- "A really good break from my life!"

- ​"A lovely time to focus on writing in a beautiful setting; opportunity to meet other women writers, learn from workshops and informal sharing; luxury of putting creativity first in my schedule."

​​- "Melanie is a skilled facilitator and experienced writer knowledgeable of a broad variety of genres. Her practical advice and candid feedback was invaluable for any writer."

- "I am so happy to have gone on your retreat.  The retreat itself was wonderful, and I think you are an inspiring and powerful teacher. I appreciate your sincerity and your authenticity."

- “Let me say once again how wonderful the retreat was…I got up this morning and wrote for two hours before I felt the need to eat breakfast and shower! I feel really fired up about my project. Never would have happened if not for the retreat and the chance to reflect on what I want to do.”

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About Melanie

Melanie Figg (MFA, PCC, CPCC) is an inspiring writing mentor and certified professional coach. She has helped guide hundreds of writers (from beginners to published authors) to improve and submit their work, finish their manuscripts, rein in their inner critics, create sustainable writing routines, and most of all—express themselves and enjoy their writing lives. Melanie is the author of the award-winning poetry collection, Trace, and her poems, essays, and reviews have been published in dozens of literary journals. She has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, The McKnight and Jerome Foundations, the Maryland State Arts Council, the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, and others. Melanie has taught creative writing for more than 35 years and currently teaches at The Writer’s Center, Hugo House, The Loft, and in private homes. 

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