The Ireland Writing Retreat

The Ireland Writing Retreat – Immersive Magical, Mystical, Moments for Owning Yourself as a Writer!

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From the moment the bus takes off at Dublin’s airport terminal, bolting up Ireland’s emerald, green countryside, I enter a mystical time capsule; the bus transforms into a chariot flying lightening fast through the tiny roads, lush fields where lambs and cows graze whirl past, rain drips constantly to frame the windows like paintings. Then there are moments the sun splits though the grayness, revealing endless mountains and highlands where gemstone lakes cover the fields and stone homes dot the craggy land; and finally, there’s a grand climax of the wild, primitive, jagged cliffs of Donegal, and my heart is pierced with joy. As the Irish would say, ‘Aoibhneas croi’ (joy of the heart, deep spiritual joy)

I have come home – not only to this dramatic, stunning, land - but to myself claiming once again, “I am a writer.”

For the next seven days, I vow to immerse myself into the entire program of the Ireland Writing Retreat which includes: daily lectures, assignments, feedback on writing, and outings to local sites and restaurants to experience Irish dancing and music and hanging out at the pub of our lovely hotel, Teac Jack.

Our gracious hosts are Columbia Hillen, organizer and co-founder, and Sean Hillen, author/foreign correspondent who leads the group through many joyful and meaningful experiences. My fellow writers come from all over the globe, journeying from Perth and Melbourne, Australia; Maine; Delaware and Los Angeles, CA – that’s me.

The synergy between us, five women, generates a warmth and acceptance that allows for creativity and individuality to flow as we share our varied styles of writing during the week. We also share our doubts and insecurities, which need expression as well. While sipping wine, beer, and cocktails at night, we relax and enjoy each other’s company; we discuss the day’s work; we convince individuals who think they aren’t fiction writers that they have the flair to try it. We tell others who are shy about their efforts that they, too, have the skills for storytelling. Safe within our togetherness, we’re able to laugh at writing samples too full of hilarious metaphors, even though painfully wielded with gut-wrenching detail. We’ll become trusted friends.

In addition , we have a fabulous guest lecturer, Saskia, who intuitively taps into our writing psyches, like a magician, and encourages each one of us.

For my final writing assignment, I sum up my Ireland experience with this short piece.

Reaching for the Words

Their last photo together captured the raw terrain of the struggles and wins during the week spent together.

Seven days ago, the women were strangers, traveling thousands of miles to a tiny town on the northwest tip of Ireland. Two from Australia, then the other three from the States representing, Maine, Delaware, and California.

What attracted these five strangers to meet in such a remote place?

Simply, the desire to write!

Sounds romantic? Adventurous? Fun?

Who amongst us would have the chops to write the next best seller?

Well … one fact rang true – no matter how we felt – our assignments were due at 10pm. Apprehension furrowed our foreheads; statements like, “I haven’t a clue what I’m going to write about,” came out of our mouths. Then silence. Anxiety. Separation.

Writing is lonely. Sacred. And very, very scary as the empty page taunts us to question our skills.

However, at the end of day, the group parts -- each writer clamoring for that armor of discipline, steadfastness, and creativity. The next day, miracle of miracles, everyone produces an imaginative piece complete with intelligent and clever endings. We’re required to read these efforts aloud to the group each day, and the loud applause rewards and validates us. Smiles of joy reinforce our confidence as we harvest the result of our efforts. What’s happening here? Is it magic?Are we flourishing?Who’s the wizard combining the elements of alchemy, mixing the mystical moments for penning our stories?Snap. Click. We all knew this day would come! Writers!Welcome to the world!