I saw this awhile back and thought it worth saving the link as inspiration that might help others plan their own such retreat with like-minded friends.
Because I haven't ever gone to retreats, taken workshops, nor do I have a networking community, I've never plotted a book with anybody else-- although sometimes I do talk to my husband about scenes when I am in the midst of writing a rough draft. This happens most when I am working to resolve whether something seems logical.
Still to get together with other women the way Caroline described to discuss plotting future books, deepening characters, seems like it would be enjoyable and beneficial. The ladies (and I've read others who discussed this kind of experience) who can find such working friendships are fortunate indeed.
The workshop Caroline describes (link at her blog) had more about it online. It's geared to help writers put together a character-driven, magical story. It's what many writers hope to do. Those putting together the classes are aiming it at helping writers understand how to create characters who are compelled to act, where their emotions drive the story, and their actions create the drama where they will capture readers on a deep emotional level. Some of it sounds like the Joseph Campbell approach in the Hero's Journey.
I don't know that a plotted out system of writing would be helpful to me, and right now can't justify the $500 it would cost, but it was interesting to see this possibility. I know I would love getting together with other writers where we could discuss what we do, what we are trying to do and the frustrations.
So, a retreat is something to keep in mind for the future especially if I ever reached a point of not having new ideas. Some of it could be done as an online project since I am unlikely to be traveling to one of these workshops-- especially not if it lasted many days. The link to that workshop and the theories behind their teaching can be found from Caroline's link above.
