Centered on you — the writer — the writers track will build your relationships with other writers and professionals in the writing community while you learn practical tips and techniques to improve your writing and its reception. This will be an experience to stimulate your intellect, enlighten your spirit, and delight and refresh your imagination.
Come join us for our lectures, workshops, and group sessions for the jump-start, dusting off, or home-stretch encouragement you’ve needed to move forward with your writing. We all know that writing well is, in part, a talent. But moving from God-given gift to a finished — and perhaps published — product requires self-discipline and dogged perseverance, as well the encouragement and feedback of others.
We offer an affirming atmosphere for learning from respected authors, reading and commenting on one another’s work, and discussing specifics for creating a writing life that is more than a rainy-day hobby. Writers of all expertise levels are welcome to come celebrate the creative life — and the privilege of working in community.
Writers Track Program
(additional details will be forthcoming as we get closer to the event)
The Writers Track consists of three parts of The C.S. Lewis Retreat, optional early arrival sessions on Friday (for those who choose to add this on), breakout sessions during the main retreat on Saturday, and optional late night evening sessions on Friday and Saturday.
More information about the topics covered in each session will be available in late September.
Early Arrival Writing Sessions
Our early arrival writing sessions will feature presentations by Christin Ditchfield Lazo and Jason Smith. Descriptions will be announced as we get closer to the event.
- Session One – Christin Ditchfield Lazo, “Deep Roots and Good Fruit: How to Grow as a Writer”
- Session Two – Jason Smith
Saturday Breakout Sessions
Our Saturday breakout sessions will give you the choice of writing related sessions or general nonwriting focused sessions. The writing sessions offered will be led by Melanie Stiles, Christin Ditchfield Lazo, and Jason Smith.
- Lancia E. Smith, “Writing With Our Lives ~ The Power of Words to Create“”
- Christin Ditchfield Lazo, “Write What You Want to Read: Wisdom for Writers from C.S. Lewis“
- Melanie Stiles, Title TBA
Optional Evening Sessions (Friday & Saturday)
- Sprinklings Groups – Facilitated by Melanie Stiles, these small groups are for sharing and feedback for prose writers and poets.
- Bag End Café – This is an open mic style evening of publicly sharing poetry, songs, stories, or other short pieces and talents.
* Note: schedule is subject to change
