I love the moments on our writer’s retreats when the breakthroughs start to happen.  You would hope for it on a course called Breakthrough Writing, as our annual Fiji retreat which finished last week, is aptly named. But it’s not going to happen straight away unless simply getting off the plane in Savusavu Bay and slowing down to the pace of the locals relaxes you so much, you just can’t help yourself. Sometimes it’s when we get out the coloured pens and make our first story maps that things start to fall into place, or when you slip into a voice you know is so right for your story you want to shout – hallelujah! It could be that you discover your favorite three chapters have to get the chop(and you are ready to let them go) or you’ve worked out how to cut 10,000 words down to 1,000. It might be that giving yourself a week to concentrate just on your writing; no cooking, shopping, worrying about all the small details of life, opens the creative faucet and you wonder how on earth you will ever stop it. It certainly has something to do with devoting time to working on your craft, receiving positive encouragement and daily feedback and becoming involved in the development each other’s stories; as if through the daily activity of sharing our stories and the processes of writing we draw the strength and courage to finally inhabit the uniqueness our own writers’ voice. The same voice that at the beginning of the week we were so unsure about. I can’t wait to do it all again with the Desert Writers in June!

BOOKING NOW!  June: Desert Writers, July: Backstage Bali, Nov:Mekong Meditations, Dec:Burmese Temple Tour, January: Moroccan Caravan.

 Fiji 2012 Feedback    View photos now on Flickr

I had a wonderful week in all ways. I’ve added another 2000 words to my tale since leaving and I just want to do it all the time. Unfortunately other things get in the way…the washing, cooking, grandsons etc. Not that I’m complaining. I’ve found first thing in the morning works really well, but now I have to re-discipline myself to do exercise later. It’ll all come together I am sure. Thank you Jan for your guidance and inspiration. Di Lucas.

I feel clear now on my writing path, Jan, and what I need to do to on my story. I am very grateful to you for your  laid back, highly skillful guidance. Elizabeth Biff Ward.

I’m STILL inspired. Not really wanting to do anything else at the moment except get this book finished.Thanks for making it such a special time for me. Bronwen Logan

Jan of the’ steel hand and velvet glove’, does it again.  Chris Richards.