Writing Retreats - 2012

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Which Experience Fits?

Kirstan working in part of the Misse garden

Retreats

~ — A Place to Write — ~

With all writing projects you reach a point where you simply need to escape somewhere quiet and inspiring where you can devote your days solely to your words. A supportive and encouraging place where someone else worries about the details of daily living such as cooking and cleaning while you lose yourself in your book. In fact, the ideal place comes with more than that. You want a space designed to bring out your best work, where every detail has been carefully considered and where stimulating conversation at evening meals can round out the experience. A place where you can reward yourself for all your hard work with indulgent meals prepared with the best local produce, quiet country walks and perhaps a visit to a farmer’s market or a romantic chateau. In other words, you seek a place for writing and, most importantly, a place for writers. Congratulations. You’ve found such a place.

~ — A Retreat at Misse — ~

Intended for self-directed writers with a clear idea of how they want to use their retreat time to advance their project, independent retreats run Sunday to Sunday. We provide a conducive workspace, a comfortable room with a writing desk, all your meals, encouragement and informal chit-chat when you want to be social. Besides that we stay out of your way and let you get down to work. You set your own goals and work independently.

Misse is peaceful and calm, but not monastic. The house gently buzzes with creative activity and the unobtrusive murmur of home life and the aroma of seasonal ingredients cooking in the kitchen. Situated within its own garden in the middle of working farms next to an ancient church on the Normandy to Santiago de Compestela Pilgrims route, it is rural, quiet and chilled out with ample space to spread out, nice country walks and stunning scenery. In keeping with its' rural charm our village has no shops or cafes, but you’ll find everything you need here at the house. If you do need something from town we can sort that out as well. We always do a trip to our local farmer’s market on Friday if you want a head-clearing break and there will be opportunities to visit a chateau or a number of local vineyards.

In July, September, October and November there are opportunities to book multiple weeks. If you would like to book a multi-week retreat, just mention this when you contact us.

Writers seeking intensive mentoring and substantial help with their manuscripts should take a look at our A Writer Progresses courses. They offer a truly unique mentoring experience, which has helped numerous writers make substantial progress on their projects.

Your Stay

You’ll likely be here with a couple other writers. You will have your own room with a comfy bed, writing desk and wardrobe. There’s also space to write in the library, lounge and outside. We focus on making things as conducive as possible to your writing. We stay out of the way during the day so you can write, we have an ‘always on’ coffee and tea making station with other beverages and snacks available to you at all hours and we present breakfast continental style each morning for you to take at your leisure. Lunch can be taken in the dining room, the garden or delivered to where you are writing, should you choose to continue working.

We get together as a group for dinner and celebrate the accomplishments of the day over some excellent wine and food. If you are particularly "in the zone" we can arrange for an individual "working dinner". Just let us know.

Dining

Circle of Misse is also a cookery school. Writing participants always rave about the meals prepared by our resident chefs. As one participant said “it’s like a writing and a culinary holiday rolled into one.” We cater to all food preferences and are well-known for our vegetarian as well as carnivorous cooking.

Dates & Booking 2012

We offer writing retreats during the weeks listed below. Please get in touch to book or if you have any questions.

March  Retreat Over

April Retreats Over

May  13-20 booked | 27-3 June

June  24-1 booked

July  8-15 booked | 15-22 booked

August  15-22 booked

September  23-30 | 30-7 Oct

October  Sept 30-7 | 21-28 | 28-4 Nov

November  Oct 28-4 | 4-11 | 11-18

XX = limited places available

XX = bookings complete

Cost £495

Retreats run Sunday to Sunday, the cost includes transport to and from Tours airport or train stations (at a specified time), seven nights accommodation (sheets, towels, etc. provided) all meals, drinks and snacks.

The fee does not include any meals out, admission to local attractions, personal items, etc. Travel to\from France is not included.

To secure a place a deposit of £165 is due at the time of booking; the balance is due 45 days before the course starts.

One-to-One Coaching

Wayne Milstead can offer coaching and manuscript feedback during independent retreats. You can let us know if that is of interest when you book or once you have arrived in Misse and had time to settle in.

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