• $2,495.00 – For 1 guest in Private Room, Shared Cottage, including meals and classes

What is the Story You Have to Tell?

With Elizabeth Stark and Ellen Sussman

October 9 - 13, 2024

We welcome back renowned authors Elizabeth Stark and Ellen Sussman for another Sonoma County Writers Camp!
This retreat will infuse you and your writing with creative energy!
This retreat will explore the question: What is the story you have to tell? Strengthen access to your deep knowledge, gain complete permission to wield your voice, your insights, your way of looking at the world. Experience the power of tapping into your most urgent, personal passions and obsessions. Celebrate yourself as an instrument of story, finely honed by the life you’ve led, the lessons you’ve learned, the way you see people, places and things. In the contemplative, gorgeous space provided by Ratna Ling, discover the ways a profound and meditative mindfulness deepens the creative work and opens its meanings. In the process, develop scenes and stories that readers, equally, have to read!

Bonus Add-On: Limited to 18 Guests!
October 13th-16th
$1350, open ONLY to Camp Participants

Follow up your camp immersion with three days of writing retreat with Ellen, Elizabeth, seven other writers and YOU. Build on the inspiration you’ve gained, maintain the focus, and keep writing. Ellen and Elizabeth will be writing, too, with early morning mediative “writing from where you dream,” ongoing cafe writing sessions in the later mornings and afternoons, shared meals and walks, and low-key, high positivity evenings of sharing work, chatting about books.

COVID POLICY: For your safety and ours, we require proof of vaccination AND negative test result from all visitors to Ratna Ling Retreat Center. We wish to provide peace of mind for all of our residents and guests.

SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):

Wednesday:
  • 3pm  Check-in
  • 5pm  Wine Tasting
  • 6pm  Dinner
  • 7:30pm  Welcome Gathering
Thursday:
  • 6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
  • 8am Breakfast
  • 9am Writing Workshop
  • 12:15pm Lunch
  • 1:15pm Cafe Writing
  • 4:30 pm Master Class
  • 6pm Dinner + Ratna Ling Introduction
  • 7:30pm Student Readings
Friday:
  • 6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
  • 8am Breakfast
  • 9am  Writing workshop
  • 12:15pm Lunch
  • 1:15pm Cafe Writing
  • 2pm  Hike with Ellen
  • 4:30pm Industry Panel
  • 6pm Dinner
  • 7:30pm  Student Readings
Saturday:
  • 630am Meditative Dream Writing
  • 8am Breakfast
  • 9am Writing Workshop
  • 12:15pm Lunch
  • 1:15pm Cafe Writing
  • 2pm Meditation with George
  • 3pm-5pm Group Hike
  • 6pm Dinner
  • 7:30pm  Student Readings
Sunday:
  • 6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
  • 8am Breakfast
  • 9am Writing Workshop
  • 12:15pm Lunch + Closing
  • 1:30pm Checkout

 

For directions to Ratna Ling – Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421

Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins


ADDITIONAL DETAILS

  • Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included – carpooling encouraged
  • Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
  • Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace,
  • spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.

5 vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.

What people are saying about our retreats:

“Space to move at your own space. Both meditation and movement classes were wonderful.” “It was exactly what I needed – to disconnect, get in tune with my soul and recharge my spirit.” 
“It helped me relax and center myself. Space for reflection while also giving me anchor points through teachings. George is the best! He is such a wonderful and knowledgable host.”  “Gorgeous cottages. Friendly staff. Amazing food!”

 

Facilitators

Elizabeth Stark
Elizabeth Stark, a novelist (Shy Girl: FSG, Seal Press, finalist for the Ferro-Grumely and Lambda Literary Awards) and award-winning filmmaker (producer of Lost in the Middle: Best Feature at Broad Humor 2019 and a Festival Favorite at Cinema Diverse; co-director and co-writer of FtF: Female to Femme and Little Mutinies, distributed by Frameline), co-hosts the podcast Story Makers Show, and co-directs and teaches at Sonoma County Writers Camp and Book Writing World. She earned her…
Learn more about Elizabeth Stark
Ellen Sussman
Ellen Sussman is the New York Times bestselling author of four novels, A Wedding in Provence, The Paradise Guest House, French Lessons, and On a Night Like This. She is the editor of two critically acclaimed anthologies, Bad Girls: 26 Writers Misbehave and Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia of Sex. She teaches through Stanford Continuing Studies and in private classes and she is the co-founder and co-director of Sonoma County Writers Camp. www.ellensussman.com
Learn more about Ellen Sussman