The Retreat

What We’ll Be Up To

Both our Writing the Novel and Writing the Memoir retreats are gatherings of writers who want to explore the blessing of how putting words together just so can feed us, transform us and sometimes challenge us too. Whether you’re working at writing your memoir or your novel, this week spent in the 18th century villa overlooking the gentle hills of the Val d’Orcia will be a time of creativity and craft, of good food and good conversation, of beautiful views and a quiet place to write, all to help you discover how best to tell the story you have to tell. Afternoon outings will serve to enliven our imaginations and deepen our appreciation of this incredibly beautiful and beloved region of Italy. I have always found the most inspiration in quiet, and a room with a view. Of course a glass of good wine with friends at the end of the day helps a great deal too.

Our Time in Tuscany

Each day begins with quiet time to write, whether in your room or a common area or outside in a hideaway overlooking the hills of Val d’Orcia. Breakfast is provided by the villa, and can be enjoyed in the breakfast room or outside where you can take in a view you won’t believe.

Midmorning

Midmorning we’ll gather to work on the elements of craft and of art, and the way one informs the other for us to best write the stories we need to write. We’ll have prompts, sharing of work, and an ongoing conversation about what it means to write, and to be a writer.

Lunch

We’ll share lunch either at the villa or out for a picnic in the Tuscan countryside. Afternoons are given over to outings that include a winery tour and tasting in the Tuscan countryside; a cooking class in a restaurant atop a hill overlooking the Val d’Orcia; and excursions to nearby Montepulciano, Pienza and Montechiello. Or, of course, you can choose simply to spend time taking a walk in the parklands of the villa to be inspired and reflect and look into the distant hills, and relax. Oh, and you can write.

We’ll also make time to meet one on one with me to talk about your writing, projects you may be working on or have finished or are contemplating, or just to have a conversation uninterrupted. And if you like, you can send me 20 pages of your project before we meet for an even more concentrated time of discussion.

Late Afternoons

Late afternoons we can share aperitivo together, where we’ll talk about writing and books and the day we’ve just spent. Dinner will be served at the villa or in town, with a final special digustazione–a wine pairing dinner–our last night together. In the evenings we may meet for a salon to further explore the practice of writing. Or, of course, one can find a cozy spot to keep on writing.

Kind words from participants in our first retreat!

“The Tuscany Writing Retreat was an unforgettable experience. With world-class accommodations at the stunning Villa Poggiano, set in the heart of Tuscany, it was truly a dream come true for me as a writer. The idyllic surroundings, exquisite food, and the camaraderie shared with fellow writers created a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Without a doubt, it stands as one of the best experiences of my life.”

Connie P.

“The Tuscany Writing Retreat was a magnificent combination of challenging teaching, interesting group interaction, fine food, and excursions into historic towns and walled villages in the most charming part of Italy. Bret Lott did a fantastic job as both a teacher and travel host. My wife and I are happy we chose to attend.”