Writing Residency

 “I finished my retreat on Friday and I wanted you to know how much it meant to me. . . . I finally saw the arc of my story.  My process had been blind up to this last week and it was a breakthrough couple of days. . . . These 5 nights were such a gift! . . . I am not using hyperbole when I say that this retreat is a highlight of my life.  The work poured out of me and it was thrilling. . . . Please thank the anonymous member who gave the $$ for my stay.”  – Lisa Cain

“I had no idea how inspirational six days of sustained silence could be – especially when nestled in a rustic, yet elegant, mountaintop home surrounded by nature. This temporary escape from the distractions of day-to-day life showed me how easily the world can hijack this writer from that special but elusive place that exists beneath (and beyond) surface consciousness. It was a silence that allowed me to focus on the “simplest” sights and sounds so often lost in my noisy world back home. From my second floor cocoon aptly named “Eagles Nest,” I heard autumn leaves rustling, an acorn pinging on the rooftop, and the call of an unfamiliar creature in the surrounding darkness outside my window. And, yes, somewhere in the distance, I could hear chimes – which at one point made me wonder if they were real or imaginary. To reference a song title from Simon & Garfunkel, these truly were the sounds of silence…”  (excerpt from the blog, The Sound of Silence by Bernadette Duncan Harrison, read more here) 

“I am feeling so deeply grateful for the opportunity gifted to me at the SD/Patchwork Farm writing retreat this past week. What an amazing experience I had during my 6 days–the ability and time to truly focus, make choices undisturbed by day-to-day activities, walk daily on land that recalls my history and service.

This special quiet time on a vast and penetrating expanse of long-spirited woodlands inspired an inner fire for completing a work-in-progress. It renewed my faith, allowed me to concentrate on a chosen manuscript that has been sitting for a looong time awaiting this opportunity. The clear block of designated time held a structure that assisted me to the finishing touches and the finish-line. And the residency as a whole offered me the unbridled privacy and freedom on the horse of writing, editing, getting it right!” – Ziji Beth Goren (excerpt from Blog, Reflections on Writing Residency, read more here)

“My 5-day retreat here at Eagle’s Nest has been a one-of-a-kind experience I will never forget. The opportunity to free myself from all outside distractions (except the amazing wildlife outside my windows and the natural beauty of these woods) and focus so intentionally on my writing projects energized and inspired me from the moment I arrived and set up my writing desk.

        To find myself in such a comfortable, appealing and accommodating setting is a luxury I have wholeheartedly embraced. My heart is filled with gratitude for Patricia’s gracious hospitality and the anonymous donor who made my stay possible. I am also extremely appreciative of those who read my writing submission samples and deemed them worthy of acceptance for this winter residency” – Stephanie B. Shafran March 2018

“I am thrilled to report that I was able to accomplish a great deal of writing while at Patchwork Farm and wound up with 21 poems that I have begun editing for submission to literary publications and inclusion in the poetry book I am assembling.” – Lanette Sweeney

The residency provided exactly what I’d hoped for, and how many times in life can you say that?  Thank you to the anonymous donor, whose vision provided the means. This is a true and brilliant gift. Thank you to every person at Straw Dog Writers who takes time from their own writing to provide, with such accuracy, the community and practical support that all of us need.  It was a perfect gift at the perfect time. I started the residency with a review of comments from six first readers, and am now two-thirds of the way through the final edit of Believe the Bird. The next and even more daunting task will be sending letters to agents. Without those five days apart, I doubt I would have made the progress I have, then and since.   With deep gratitude and love, Deborah 

The Residency
What sound does an owl make in the dark
I wonder hiding in the burrow
On a soft bed with the windows wide open.
The night noises of insects and whispering leaves surround me
While busy thoughts rage in my mind
Racing to be purged in the quiet of no audible voice.
Nature giving me rest and contemplation in self-imposed solitude
Slowly working to ease a frantic body that struggles to sit still
and allow the gift of silence to release the tension and the words.
In my mind I hear
Who? Who?
Who am I?
I listen for the owl’s call, the answer, the signal that I am
The writer.
Betsy Smith
August, 2018