Nature Writing Retreat . . .
I am so pleased to announce that I will be assisting the lovely Hannah with Starcroft Farm Cabins’ Spring Nature Writing Retreat, 9-11 May 2025! I stayed in one of their gorgeous cabins for several days last year and it was truly inspiring – it also helped kickstart my novel, which I am now fully immersed in.
I can’t wait – the meadow, the woods, the beautiful cabins! – and I’m really looking forward to seeing some nature writing from the cabin participants. I think all the places are now taken – there’s only three – but if it interests you for future, please get in touch with myself or Hannah. Perhaps an autumnal one?
Terrifying and Beautiful . . .
Soon, I will be walking amongst bluebells, hearing birdsong. But you know, don’t forget Blake and his ‘nature red in tooth and claw’. Nature can be frightening. Or mean. Or even barren… but it is never nothing. In fact, you could argue it is all we have. So on that note, I also have a link to an essay I adore, ‘Total Eclipse’, by Annie Dillard, which featured in The Atlantic quite some time ago. It is about the eclipse that happened when I was about six, and which I remember quite well. I was terrified, and so was she.
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Further retreat info (the link has costs and itinerary):
Hello, nature-lovers and writers of all descriptions!
Have you ever wanted to write about the wild and wonderful world that sits beyond your four walls?
You may love birds, meadows, forests and all in between. You may also want to write your observations down, for yourself, for friends and family, or for a wider audience.
But how do we make our words sing? How do we take a reader back to the sheer wonder of a tidal pool discovered as a child, or a meadow full of buttercups? The sheen on a bird’s wing in flight . . . the sound of crunching leaves underfoot?
Let us take you on a mindful journey into the gorgeous Sussex countryside in spring – immerse yourself in nature and the thrill of writing about it with writer and editor Robin Pridy. Embrace the creative energy of Beltane, as the earth comes to life with bluebells and blossom. Become motivated and inspired by your surroundings, learning authentic ways to put your feelings and observations on the page.
This small group retreat will include a dawn chorus walk in the woods as well as bespoke writing exercises, a reading list and a one-on-one session with Robin. After the workshop, Robin will provide an editorial assessment on a completed short piece of nature writing.
About your workshop leader
Robin Pridy is an experienced editor and writer for both children and adults, with an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. She writes poems, short stories, children’s and adult non-fiction, and is currently finishing her first novel. She lives in the countryside in East Sussex. Please visit www.robinpridy.com for further information.
What’s included
2 nights in one of our luxurious cabins, your very own creative haven for the weekend
A guided dawn chorus walk with breakfast pastries
A one-to-one with writer and editor Robin Pridy
Bespoke writing exercises based on your interests, and an editorial assessment based on up to 2,000 words of your writing
A surprise book gift chosen by our local independent bookseller at Rother Books
A group bonfire
A posy of spring flowers from our cut flower beds to take home
I think all spaces for this have been taken up, but please do get in touch with Hannah or myself if you’d be interested in similar in the future – I’m thinking of an autumnal one, for example.
