Retreats! WIUITG Weekend Retreats!

Nerissa's Retreat Schedule

January 8-10 2010 Writing it up in the Garden Retreat FULL!
June 11-13, 2010 Creativity Retreat with Nerissa & Katryna Nields

Retreat starts on Friday at 5:30pm with registration, dinner and a round of introductions. We will do writing exercises and work on works in progress until 9:00. The next morning at 9:15, we will congregate for coffee, tea and a short lecture, discussion and some exercises, followed by individual writing. Break for lunch. Regroup in the afternoon for sharing finished work or works in progress and another writing session. We will have a group dinner on the porches of the fine Victorian homestead we'll be using.

Sunday will be the same as Saturday, but we will end at noon. On occasion, we may read works in progress at PACE (Performing Arts Center of Easthampton) at 2pm.

To register, write her at Nerissand@gmail.com. Cost is $160 for Writing Retreats and $220 for Creativity Retreats. A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required to hold your spot.

The fee does not include accommodations, but there are lovely and affordable places to stay nearby and we can help direct you to them. Fee includes dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, abundant coffee and tea, and light refreshments. Breakfast and lunch are catch as catch can. The retreat is 1.2 miles from downtown Northampton, and a half a block from the bike path, right on the bus line.

NEW! I Want To Be a Woman Like Me Creativity retreat with Nerissa & Katryna Nields! Have you ever wondered if you can sing? Draw, Paint? Write? Perform? Join us for an experiential retreat where we will teach you the secrets to living fully, making creativity a part of your every day experience. You will learn practical tools, habits and skills and you are guaranteed a fabulous time! Open to beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

You will arrive at 5:30 on Friday and be greeted by Katryna, Nerissa and various members of Nerissa's family, possibly including George Harrison, unless we can pass him off to Tom's work colleague. You will be fed an amazing meal cooked by us excellent cooks: a meal that is healthy but you'd never know it, it's THAT GOOD! After dinner, we'll go around and introduce ourselves, set intentions and Katryna and I will talk about bringing the creative into your daily life. We'll have our first creative session during which all will write. You can plan on being back at your hotel by 9pm. Saturday: Arrive at 9:15 for light breakfast, coffee, tea. We'll do one session in the morning, during which Katryna will teach you her secret special technique for painting and drawing. Saturday afternoon we will sing in three part harmony. After another fabulous dinner, we will do some group singing for those inclined! Sunday we will arrive again at 9:15 and make vision boards (collage work/play) until noon. All kinds of artists are welcome, and we will craft a program specifically for you. Cost: $220 (includes some materials).

Participants write:

• “Before [the workshop] started, I was in a big writing slump, and it was really good for me to be in that sort of environment where I had to write, even if it was only for an hour a week.” — JB, Creative Writing MFA candidate
• “I finished an entire first draft of a novel in three months, writing only during the workshop time.” — ND, novelist
• "It is such an incredible opportunity to come here every week and walk away inspired, my soul recharged, my muse happier with me, and full of amazement for what I get to witness…[Nerissa’s] tending hands are sure; [she] know[s] when to be gentle, when to push, when to guide, when to just step back, when to encourage.” — MK, songwriter and painter
• “I can’t imagine my life anymore without this workshop. I hope you have them for the rest of my life! — CB, small business owner
• “It is [Nerissa’s] friendliness and openness that creates the pallet upon which we, as the oils and pigments, are splattered onto the great canvas that is the creative process.” — MB, poet
• “It’s always like Christmas at Nerissa’s house. I can practically smell the wrapping paper when a writer gives us her new work.” — LH, retreatant
• One of the wonderful things I have noticed about the Writing It Up In The Garden Retreats is the amazing after-effects. This past retreat has left me with the boost of confidence that I needed, and as a result I have applied for a job with my local weekly newspaper which I have a deep respect & love for. It is not a writing position per say, but my optimistic feelings are that if I do get the job it could lead to some writing in the future. Getting paid for writing is something I would not have even dared dreamed of in the past. You know when something just feels right....right down in the depth of your gut? That's exactly how I feel about apllying for this job. I felt honored to have gotten to meet all of you ~ your courage to write, share & sing is inspiring. Enjoy the after-effects! -AB, Habilitation Specialist

More testimonials

People take their shoes off here.
It is a safe space
The walls are welcoming, full of so many pictures:

Memories of white dress days,
Bathtub scenes captured in pencil,
Church steeples.
Most are in rectangled frame houses of their own, while others have roommates.

It is an artful geometry.

Outside the house is green:
Painted wood trim,
Prickly needles on bushes,
Hanging leaves.

I take a moment to appreciate the space, glancing out at the world from inside the front door which, really, is like glancing out at the world from the inside of a heart.

Something starts here-
The most precious of births
Minds twirl into action,
Communal inspiration bounces
Wall to wall
Head to head
Pen to paper
Fingers to keys
As though stuck in a poetic game of pinball.

The writing begins,
A tiny, barefoot heartbeat.

-Carolyn Jepsen