In 2014, five writers started a tradition. The writers were Michelle Beattie, Suzanne Forrest, Amy Jo Fleming, M.K. Stelmack and Suzanne Stengl. (me!)
We thought it would be nice to do some North-South mingling of Alberta writers. Michelle and Suzanne F came from the north, Amy Jo and Suzanne S came from the south and M.K. Stelmack met us in the middle. That is, M.K. lives in the small town of Sylvan Lake. That year we met for brunch at the Boston Pizza where we discussed what we were working on. Then we moved over to Waves Coffee Shop and critiqued One Page of each other’s work.
In the summers that followed, M.K. Stelmack (aka, Moira) took ownership of the Retreat and arranged for it to be held at the local library.
Last Saturday, August 18, 2018, the Fifth Annual Sylvan Lake Retreat was once again held at the Library and hosted by Moira. We had a cozy eight writers in attendance: Brenda Sinclair, Katie O’Connor, Amy Jo Fleming, S.L. Dickson, Lori Feldberg, Victoria Chatham, M.K. Stelmack and Suzanne Stengl.
In the morning, we critiqued one page of each other’s work. And sometimes we did two or three pages. Comments and suggestions flowed freely and Amy Jo kept us on course with a timer so we could get through everyone’s work.
Moira arranged for our lunch of cold cuts, cheese, buns, add-ons, potato salad, veggies, fruit and desserts.
In the afternoon, we did our usual Ask & Answered session, discussing Social Media, group series, formats, distribution and craft. That continued until the Library closed. We reconvened down the road at the popular Wing’n It Restaurant.
the conversation continues…
Suzanne Stengl, M.K. Stelmack, Victoria Chatham, Brenda Sinclair, Katie O’Connor, S.L. Dickson, Amy Jo Fleming, Lori Feldberg
Amy Jo, Brenda, Vicki, Shaa
Katie, Amy Jo, Suzanne, Shaa
Katie, Amy Jo, Moira, Shaa
smoky skies from the BC wild fires
Several of the writers spent the night in Sylvan Lake and I’m sure a lot more critiquing (and wine) was involved.
Need inspiration? Try a Bailey’s S’more!
I love this annual meeting of the minds and am already looking forward to next year’s event. Thanks to Moira for handling the logistics and thanks to all of you for your help with my story.
What an awesome event! I Iove reading your stories 🙂
Thanks, Jackie.
You are one of my biggest fans. 🙂
I so missed going this year. Hopefully next year!
Really hope you can come next year!
what a lovely day you had; inspiration at it’s best
And ANOTHER of my biggest fans 🙂
Yes, that inspiration was sweet.
It’s true it was an awesome event. I feel lucky to be involved with such a great group of writers.
Yes, it is a great group.
I’m looking forward to your finished book.
Considering how One Page can get everyone in the room so riled up, I know it will be entertaining!
What a fun time! And yes, some serious brainstorming happened back at the hotel room. Think motivation, openings, triggering events, turning points, black moments. All of that…and wine.
Sounds like it was a productive evening!
I was thinking about you gals all weekend – and like Michelle, was terribly disappointed to miss the retreat this year. Darn smoke! Maybe we can convince Moira to make it a twice a year event so we can meet in the winter too???
I was thinking the same thing but, you know, Alberta winter?
Snow? Ice? Ditches?
That was an awesome weekend. Enjoyed every moment of it. Missed you being there Brenda D. & yeah 2x’s a year would be awesome. Next year, hopefully the smoke won’t be around. Suzanne… fun pics. And FYI to everyone… I’m doing some serious thinking on some changes to my Strong Will / Tender Heart story. Happy writing everyone.
So glad you could be there, Shaa.
You know it’s a popular Retreat when we have a writer coming all the way from Ontario!