Winter-on-the-Farm Creative Writing Retreat
at ZigBone Farm
Just one hour from DC/Baltimore areas
With Award-Winning Writer Diana Friedman, Founder of the Pyrenean Writing Retreat
January 13-18, 2023
Writers at all stages of their careers are welcome at our winter writing retreat
Monster bale on ZigBone Farm's top pasture.
Our cats know how to retreat!
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Fritsel wearing her wool coat.
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What to expect:
- A six-day, five-night writing retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains, Sabillasville, MD
- Relaxing in cozy writing nooks and on comfy sofas.
- Gathering each morning to discuss the craft elements of creative writing such as structure, dialogue, and voice.
- Writing exercises/prompts to get your creative juices flowing.
- Unparalleled silence to work on your creative projects throughout the day.
- Homemade meals prepared with produce from ZigBone Farm and area farms.
- Coming together at dinner to discuss your day´s work and experience.
- Developing a support community of writers.
Schedule for Winter-on-the-Farm Creative Writing Retreat
Friday
5pm Welcome Reception -- hot cocoa, dinner from the wood-fired oven and, of course, fun writing exercise
Saturday-Tuesday (all sessions optional)
9am-11am Writing instruction and prompts
11am-4pm Lunch and free write
4pm-6pm Sensory writing exercises/developing your writing practice
7pm-8pm Community dinner
Evening readings
Wednesday
Breakfast wrap-up
11am Departure
5pm Welcome Reception -- hot cocoa, dinner from the wood-fired oven and, of course, fun writing exercise
Saturday-Tuesday (all sessions optional)
9am-11am Writing instruction and prompts
11am-4pm Lunch and free write
4pm-6pm Sensory writing exercises/developing your writing practice
7pm-8pm Community dinner
Evening readings
Wednesday
Breakfast wrap-up
11am Departure
About Diana
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Diana Friedman has taught creative writing for more than a decade and enjoys working with writers at all stages of their writing journey. She has taught professional writing at the University of Maryland, at the Writopia lab and facilitated numerous writing workshops. As a 'midwife' for emerging artists, she especially enjoys helping those new to the artistic process find their voice. She currently leads writing retreats in the Basque Pyrenees of Northern Spain and is delighted to bring her expertise as she teams up with Zigbone Farm Retreat to offer instruction, guidance, and support to new and experienced writers alike.
Diana’s work has appeared in numerous publications including New Letters, Huffington Post, Newsweek, and the Baltimore Sun. She is the recipient of the Alexander Patterson Cappon Fiction Prize and a Pushcart Prize nomination and has received funding from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery Council and the Maryland State Arts Council. Her work has been selected as a finalist and short-listed at multiple presses. For an additional fee, Diana will provide feedback on individual manuscripts received before the workshop. Contact Diana. |
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What Diana's Students Have to Say:
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"I've been to three writing retreats and this one was the most nurturing, personalized and rich experience I've had. This is many thanks to our writing coach, Diana Friedman, whose expertise, teaching skills, intuition and caring nature fostered a safe creative environment in which all five of us writers could open up, write and share. I am certain that I will remain in touch with this community because of the strong bond we formed. Besides sharing our writing though, we shared so many laughs and deep conversations. I will take this with me on my writing journey."- Amy H.
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""There are some weeks you know will stay with you forever - this was one such week. ...What made it truly special for me was the supportive & collaborative writing environment. Although we varied in age, background and experience, Diana managed to create a learning space in which everyone felt catered for, stimulated and encouraged. The sense of community we created together, through sharing our thoughts, our work & a good dose of ourselves is one that I continue to hold very dear."- Rebecca M.
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"Although I deal in words, it's hard to find the right ones for this amazing experience but I'll do my best.
First and foremost the morning workshops were an excellent launchpad for a day of writing. Each day we considered a different aspect of the writing process, then wrote and shared pieces based on a writing prompt. It was fascinating to hear how the other 4 participants had interpreted the same prompt. Then an afternoon of writing..." -Lilly R |
"Diana offers a unique combination of encouraging support and constructive criticism that will make any writer improve their skills. Her feedback is spot-on. She knows how to keep a group on task, paying close attention, prodding us to revise and go deeper. I always come away from her workshops fortified by new insights and clear recommendations on how to continue my writing projects." - Sylvia F.
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