Absorbing Writing

Searching for an Oasis and Finding Ca’ la Somara

Posted on 24. Oct, 2008 by Joanna in Sardinia

October in Sardinia. Finally, the chance for Emma and me to put our plans into practice.

Except, the plans changed, as plans do. Because some things hadn’t quite worked out the way we expected (the way things do). And because we both knew, deep down, that were there things we needed to add to Absorbing Writing to make it just the way we wanted it to be. Knew we wanted to take it in a slightly different direction.

Luckily enough, it turned out we both wanted to take it in the same direction:-)

We knew we wanted to add in some vital ingredients. We wanted to add:

More time away: a 7 day retreat to give the time and space to unwind, to recharge, to refocus, to find your writing voice

More interaction: spending a week together as a group to create the conditions for learning, sharing, inspiring

More space to write: more time would mean more freedom to do your own writing. The right location would make it possible.

So we agreed to change tack. And then used the time in October to hatch new plans, and get ready to launch a new programme for 2009. You can read all about it here: our writing retreats in Sardinia.

But we also knew we had to find the right place to make the whole thing work. Decent, quality, affordable accommodation. Fantastic food. A welcoming environment. A place where you could relax, and be inspired. A place you could write.

It was the search for a writing oasis. The kind of place you know you’ll recognise when you see it it – but don’t quite believe you’ll ever find.

Except we did. Find the perfect place that is.

It’s called Ca’ la Somara. You can read more about it here… or dip into this photo album to see just what it’s got to offer.

And once we’d found it, well then we then we were able to use our time to explore, to walk up and down the roads round about, to check the nearest bus routes, to walk to the local town, to look at the bedrooms, to think about the best places for group conversations and where you’d write in private, to take photos, to talk to the owners, to sit at the long table under the vine and hear in our minds the sound of your after dinner conversations. Sharing your words. Telling your stories.

Knowing, just knowing, that we’d found the right place. A writing oasis.

And that’s how we’re ready now to offer something new. Something you’ll love.

A writing retreat to Ca’ la Somara.

May 4 – 11 2009.

Will you join us?

Tags: Sardinia, writing retreats, writing retreats in Italy