An Inspiring Greek Island Writing Retreat

AN INSPIRING GREEK ISLAND WRITING RETREAT IN THE BIRTHPLACE OF ANCIENT GREEK POETS AND PHILOSOPHERS

SKALA ERESSOS – LESVOS

Unleash Your Muse

(August 23- August 28, 2020)

Join me for a magical week of inspiration in the Greek Island of Lessos. A week to relax, write, generate new ideas and have fun.

The island of Lesvos, located in the NE Aegean Sea, is the third largest Greek island. Nestled​in its SW side is the remote beach village of (Skala) Eressos, few kilometers away from the Petrified Forest, one of the most important natural heritage monuments in the world, and UNESCO Global Geoparks. With its stretch of sandy beaches and magnificent sunsets, this remote Greek island village was the home to Sappho (630 –  570 BC), the first known female greatest poetess in ancient times, called the “Tenth Muse”. Eressos was also the birthplace of philosophers Theophrastus and Phaenias, a disciple of Aristotle. Here is where you can get inspired, invigorated and creative.

I fell in love with Eressos the first time I visited it, and went back five times. When I thought to host a writing retreat, Eressos immediately came to mind. I wanted to share its beauty with everyone.

Writing retreats are all about inspiration. They call them the Writers Vacation. With its incredible sandy beaches, magnificent sunsets, the vibrant village of Eressos, will inspire you and certainly unleash your writing muse.

 In this peaceful and relaxing environment, surrounded by the Island’s beauty, you will meet new friends with similar mindsets who share your interest and passion for books and writing. Over coffee and delicious Greek desserts, you will discuss your writing, the challenges of the craft and what it means to be a writer.

Relaxing on this little picturesque beach front, slow-pace village with its spectacular views and tranquil atmosphere is the best opportunity to reflect and write.

WHO IS THE RETREAT FOR?

The retreat is for women writers looking for a getaway to focus on their writing or those who are serious about becoming a writer. Whether you have finished your first draft or just started writing it, whether you are a writer with work in progress or haven’t started yet, this retreat is for you. If you have dreamed to become a writer but don’t know how or where to start, this retreat is for you. If you are a writer who loves to travel or a traveler who loves to write, this retreat is for you. If you are an aspiring writer with a novel idea in your mind and you want to learn how to propel it to life, this retreat is for you. If you are a writer looking for an escape to indulge into some quite time to work on your novel, this retreat is for you.

No matter at what stage of writing you are in or what genre you are writing, there are workshops to accommodate your need. The daily writing workshops and free writing time will inspire you and put you on the right path towards your writing goals.

As the sun sets behind the mountains,you sit in a beach terrace café and savor the flavor of Greek coffee and pastries. Walk on the beach under the stars, feel the sand in your toes, listen to the waves crashing on the shore.

Enjoy the early bird walk or simple hike and invigorate your senses. Inhale the morning serenity and watch the village wakes up. Grab a hot fresh cheese pita from the bakery.

In addition to the inspiring and stimulating daily workshops, quite writing time, critique sessions, social hours and fun evening meals, you will have enough free time to enjoy many island activities.  You will have time to meditate, draw inspiration from the sea, generate fresh ideas and take your writing to the next level.

During the daily structured activities there will be free time to enjoy the island life and relax. You can enjoy horseback riding tours, boat rides around the island, excursions to local villages, yoga class at sunset, a leisure massage in the local spa, or just a splash in the sea.

Five nights in private rooms in a sea view charming hotel,along the sea front sidewalk with its cozy and vibrant coffee shops, beach terraces, restaurants, pubs, ice-cream and pastry shops. Breakfast and coffee, juices and water with pastries during the training sessions and workshops are also included.

Dinners will be in select charming local Greek island restaurants and taverns relishing the best of local cuisine. Welcome and farewell dinners are included in the cost of the retreat.

Workshop sessions include: 

1- Making a Writing Journal

2- Developing novel Outline and Beat sheet

3- Character Development

4- How to start your writing blog?

5- Five Elements of Plot

6- Show Don’t Tell technique

7- Selecting the best POV for your novel.

8- The easiest way to Structure Your Novel

9- Turning a novel outline into a first draft

• Transportation from MytiliniAirport (main airport of the island of Lesvos) to Eressos on August 23 and back to the airport on August 28 (84km, 1:45 min one way). Air fare to/from the island is not included
• Accommodation for 5 nights in private rooms in a 3-star hotel
• Daily breakfast
• Welcome and goodbye dinners
• Workshop snacks, coffee, tea, juice, water
• Two daily workshops
• Two hours of free writing time daily
• Round table critique sessions
• One-on-one discussion with trainer
• All Supplies for making your Writing Journal

There will also be evening social gatherings with deserts after dinner, atime for writers to bond and engage in inspiring discussions of craft and creativity, over ice-cream and delicious pastry. The social gatherings will take place in cafés, beach terraces overlooking the stunning Mediterranean or simply sitting on the beach.

COST OF RETREAT:  925.00 EUROSSpace is limited. A deposit of 250.00 Euros holds your spot.If any have questions send an email to: writingwithalexandra@gmail.comLooking forward to see YOU in paradise!