ΑΠΟΜΟΝΩΣΗ ΣΥΓΓΡΑΦΕΩΝ

THE MEDITERRANEAN WRITERS GROUP
FALL WRITERS’ RETREAT
KAKOPETRIA,CYPRUS, 23-25 October 2009


The Mediterranean Writers Group is hosting a writers’ retreat at the Makris Hotel in Kakopetria, Cyprus, in the Troodos mountain region on the Klarios River, for the weekend of 23-25 October 2009 with the aim of allowing serious writers of fiction, poetry, and other forms of creative writing the opportunity to have the time and space to focus on their craft, share their work with other serious writers, and to soak up the natural environment of the region. This 3-day mini-retreat combines creative writing workshops with readings, book swaps, and structured activities like nature walks and guided conversations related to their work. Of course, the retreat is also about having time away from the pressures of daily life to write in peace and solitude. Specialists in fiction, poetry, and drama will be on site to run workshops, offer advice, and provide guidance. The retreat is open to writers of all levels, and costs €110,00 total. The deadline to register is Friday, 16 October 2009.

Schedule of Activities

Friday, 23 October 2009

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Creative Writing Workshop (dialogue in fiction & poetry). This workshop offers a series of short & varied exercises to stimulate fiction & poetry writing, with attention paid especially to dialogue development. Dinner afterwards at local taverna .

10 p.m. Writing Time. This evening is set aside for participants to complete short, assigned exercises in fiction & poetry in the solitude of the mountain night.

Saturday, 24 October 2009

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Creative Writing Workshop (fiction). This workshop allows fiction writers the opportunity to try out new ways of approaching their craft, including exercises in tactile response to objects, sense-focus, and interaction with other media (photography, film, visual arts). Conducted by Maria Ioannou.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Book Swap. Participants will introduce & exchange books with each other, free of charge, as a means to both expanding their libraries and sharing what they have learned. Poetry, fiction, literary biography, and critical books all welcome.

12:30 – 3 p.m. Troodos Nature Walk & Picnic Lunch, socializing

3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Creative Writing Workshop (fiction & poetry). This workshop will allow poets & fiction writers a chance to try out new ways of approaching their work, including thematic in-course writing, prose poetry, narrative, lyric, and longer forms of poetry.


8 p.m. Writing Time. The evening is set aside for undisturbed quiet time writing, with only one rule: that no participant contact another during this period, and that mobile phones remain switched off.

Sunday, 25 october 2009

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Dialogue Workshop. This workshop is set aside to help writers hone their skills at using dialogue in fiction, poetry, and dramatic writing. Conducted by Ellada Evangelou.

12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Mini-exercises. Intended only to open up new directions for writers of both fiction & poetry, this short session will introduce 6 or 7 different short, intensive approaches to getting participants’ writing flowing.

1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch at local taverna

3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Guided Conversation/ Response Workshop. This period is reserved for free and open discussion of the writing participants have done during the previous two days, guided by a set of topics to help the writers evaluate their own and others’ progress.



Registration Information

Makris Hotel room charge: €60,00 per person (includes Fri & Sat night & breakfasts)
Facilities fee: €15,00 per person
Coordinator fee: €35,00 per person
Total: €110,00

2-day options (Sat & Sun only) are also available, at €80,00. All payments due upon arrival.

To register by Friday 16 October 2009 contact Dr. Spurgeon Thompson, 1 28th Oktovriou Street, 4680 Agros, Cyprus, email: spurgeonthompson1@yahoo.co.uk, or phone +357, 99804970. Late registrations accepted, but will not guarantee accommodation at the Makris Hotel.