I have said before that if it were not for Barbara Turner-Vesselago’s Freefall Writing I would not be writing. I’d probably be wanting to write, hoping still, that one day, I’d get down to it, dabbling here and there but never really feeling connected to what writing meant for me, what I even wanted to write about, let alone how to do it in any sustained fashion.
Freefall is what changed things for me: literally, overnight. Yes I’ve struggled, I still struggle, with writing, but as I look back over the years and the stories I’ve written, the novel I’m working on, I know that I am on the right path, that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. And that this path has everything to do with the Freefall approach and Barbara’s sensitive, perceptive and supportive guidance.
One year I did two of her week-long workshops almost back to back, and wrote a short story every morning. Yes, these stories needed editing and more work before they were ready to be submitted for publication, but essentially I was able to let flow because of the extraordinary process of Barbara’s Freefall and the safe, encouraging and deeply creative environment that occurs in her workshops.
Whether you are a beginning writer looking for a way to start, or an experienced writer needing space and encouragement to create new work, I cannot recommend these retreats too highly.
There is a very exciting opportunity to experience Freefall this spring with Barbara in a very beautiful retreat centre in Barrao de Sao Joao on the Algarve in Portugal at the Monte Rosa Retreat Centre.
As it says in the schedule page of the Freefall website: “Here, in beautifully tended surroundings close to the sea, you will quickly experience the permanent shift in your relationship to writing that Freefall Workshops are known for.”
As far as I’m concerned, this is an opportunity not to be missed.
The dates are April 7 – April 13, 2014, and the cost is $1495 CDN. (€1032). This includes tuition, all meals, private accommodation and administration costs. In this particular Freefall retreat it’s possible to come early or stay late to explore the area, and also to bring a partner (€45 extra per night). Contact Vicki Pinkerton for details and to book a space (the groups are small so if you are interested, contact her very soon!), and if you’d like to know more about my own experience with Freefall, please let me know.
Sandra Jensen 