WRITE IN A NATURAL SANCTUARY IN THE PORTUGUESE COUNTRYSIDE
Date
Location
Resort
Lector
Group size
Time
Program
4th. - 12th. April 2020
max 12 persons
8 days (8 nights)

Are you struggling to craft your story?
Study writing techniques in the mornings: the plot, setting, characters, the dialogue.
Get morning lectures & feedback with Katy Darby, a published writer and experienced lecturer at City University in London
Katy will support you all the way to start, edit and finish your short story, or chapters of your novel.
Join a small group of writers - a maximum of 12 people - to support each other and share your ideas.
Write in the afternoons surrounded by the authentic countryside tranquillity of Alentejo in Portugal
Where will you live?
Monte de Orada is a perfect place to switch off the noise and tune in.
This isolated evergreen valley creates an abundant oasis where two creeks come together, like a womb to nourish an ancient lush forest and wildlife vistas.
What else is there?
Enjoy healthy & organically grown food and find inspiration.
Explore the Rota Vicentina hiking trails, take a surf lesson, discover the area in a kayak, try horse riding adventure or a Jeep Safari through the countryside
Take a yoga class, watch the sunrise while lying in an outdoor bath with a view of the valley (not kidding) or climb on a treehouse
Get inspired. Get your story done.
In Detail
What's Included
dinner, so that you can entirely focus on your work, but you are always
welcome to try the local cuisine available both in nearby restaurants and at small
markets. The locals at Orada swear on organic made at home, so you should be happy!
The retreat includes:
And optional activities:
stories/proposal(s) BEFORE handing in your completed story on the deadline;
consultation hour on a first-come-first-serve basis during the week
What's not
The cost does not include:
• individual transportation to and from the airport
• alcoholic drinks outside the evenings listed above
• special excursions
• or optional activities
Daily schedule
Day 1 (evening):
Opening dinner & networking
Days 2 - Day 6:
7:00am - 8:00am: Morning meditation or yoga
8:00am - 9:00am: Breakfast
9:30am - 12:00pm: Morning class
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch
2:00pm - 6:00pm: Time to Write
6:30pm - 7:30pm: Dinner
Day 7:
Free day for activities to unwind or do more writing
Individual face-to-face sessions scheduled with Katy
Closing evening: drinks & dinner
Day 8 (am hours):
After the breakfast session: Katy hands out pieces with your feedback
People can stay in/around the villa and enjoy the pool until noon (check-out)
Extras:
Two additional evening workshops - so-called ‘First-page & Last-page
workshops’ on Tuesday & Thursday after dinner:
work and/or discuss any problematic parts. It’d be an interactive session, where
the lecturer takes a back seat and lets the writers interact and network.
Everyone who signs up for the workshop aiming to take an active part in it,
would have space of ca 20min to discuss any parts of their work or read it out
loud, and get feedback. There might be more time, depending on the number of
people who show up.
Attendance to workshops and morning classes is entirely optional. You can
spend all the available time just to write.
Pricing
Double room all on your own € 1599 per person
Please enquire about the availability of a treehouse when you register your interest
To reserve your spot, please pay the deposit €300.
Once you register your interest, we will send you a confirmation e-mail with our payment details.
We would like to get to know you and ask you about your level and expectations to help us tailor the retreat for you.