Stay At Home Writing Retreat

A weekend of writing + connecting from home sweet home

 
Top down view of a notebook and pen, coffee, and typewriter.

Top down view of a notebook and pen, coffee, and typewriter.

 

Is it time to come back to your beautiful creative life?

These days it’s really hard to make room to write. Our attention spans are short, our nerves are buzzing, and it can feel like everything needs to be learned again. And yet, writing has many, many gifts for us in challenging times.

This is a lovingly curated weekend experience designed to guide you back to your own voice. The focus will be on gently waking up our creativity and exploring what it wants to say now. Who am I in this time of crisis? What stories want to emerge? What’s the first step?

We use writing to be in the moment and to escape from it, to wander the roads that our words want to walk down, to linger in nostalgia and possibility, to find the joy. The weekend will be full of ease and productivity as we listen for the gentle hum of something that wants to happen… And then we let it.

Here’s how it works:

All of our sessions will be on Zoom. First we’ll gather on a Friday evening for 2-hours to get to know one another, set some ground rules, and sink into the shared journey of reflection and creativity ahead. We’ll do some writing, sharing, and then head off for a good night’s sleep.

On Saturday morning we’ll return for a mix of creativity-waking exercises designed to get new thoughts flowing, and energies swirling. Then we’ll gently land into the big question — what wants to be written now? What new project or idea is ready to emerge?

In the afternoon we’ll move into longer writes, ending with a 90-minute silent period in the late afternoon to sit in the shared thrum of creativity, and to sink into the creative direction that you’ve settled into. We’ll take plenty of screen breaks throughout the day, and then in the evening we’ll fully step back, continuing to write offline in our own spaces.

We’ll meet again on Sunday to share what we created for deep and thoughtful feedback. From there we’ll create writing prompts and plans for forward creative motion, and we’ll end the retreat with some reflective writing about the road ahead.

There will be 10 participants and 2 facilitators, so sharing will happen in cozy groups of 5.

You’ll also receive a thick, padded envelope in your mailbox full of little treats to create a cozy, creative sanctuary to hold your writing.

    • Are excited by the idea of extended stretches of writing time, heart connection, and creative self-reflection from home.

    • Can be on their computer at home without the distractions of news, social media or other people.

    • Have a computer with a webcam, microphone and at least 1.5 mbph upload and download speed. (Check yours).

    • Are open to video chat, and to bringing their presence and authenticity to that medium, even if it feels a little weird at first!

    • Feel generous and motivated to witness others and be part of the life of their words.

    • Are longing for a sanctuary away from the news, buzzing phones and worldly responsibilities.

    • Are working on a writing project they’re not motivated by, like something for work. This experience is built on the love of words, and tapping into the heart of our writing processes.

    • Can’t get away from distractions for the length of the retreat. We want — for you and for the other participants — an uninterrupted container of time for focus and connection, so we’ll ask you to carve out these hours without human or technological interruptions. (We’ll take lots of breaks.)

    • Believe that their writing can only thrive in a critical writing environment. We believe that writing flourishes with heavy doses of kindness and support.

    • Don’t want to share their work with others. There will be lots of opportunities to share, and while it’s totally fine to pass from time to time, we’re looking for participants who are excited by sharing, even when it’s a little squirmy.

    • Honestly can’t go an hour without checking Twitter or their phone.

Details:

This workshop isn’t running this season but it will be back soon! Join our early bird mailing list for early access to registration or sign up for our newsletter.

 

Kim

Sophia

 

Cost:

The fee for this retreat is $545. If you prefer, you can pay in 4 monthly installments of $136.25. Tax will be added for Canadians in your local provincial rate. See our financial policies.

If the price is a barrier, don't hesitate to apply for financial aid.

If you don’t have a credit card, let us know and we’ll gladly find a way to make it work.

Sign up here:

Join our early bird mailing list for early access to future registration or sign up for our newsletter.

Questions?

Your answer is probably on this page.

Looking for more options?

Take a peek at our small group writing workshops, our large group writing programs, our retreats, our coaching services, and our monthly care package for writers.


What people are saying:

 

The Stay at Home Retreat was an absolute delight. I stumbled across Firefly's little home on Danforth by accident back in the beginning of 2019 and since then, I don't ever want to be Firefly-less. This retreat gave me the opportunity to continue being a part of their community and growing with them as a writer even from Newfoundland which was so exciting. It perpetuated Firefly's mantra to be a welcoming space for all. If you're looking for a place to explore your writing, with joy and laughter-filled workshops or retreats, you won't regret choosing Firefly!

Jacquelyn
Violinist & Writer

 

 

The Stay at Home Retreat truly provided an in-person Firefly experience virtually — the facilitators melted the Zoom screens and built a wonderful community. Their deep engagement with the process and their sincere input into everyone's writing and experience was greatly appreciated. I felt a true shift happen in how I viewed the process of writing and they assisted me in accessing my writer's voice. Thank you for captaining the journey with expertise and care.

Paula Turner
writing in the (mom)ent

 

 
Jessica testimonial image

The Stay at Home Retreat was the perfect respite from everyday life. Somehow, despite being virtual, it still felt very connective. The facilitators did an amazing job of creating a relaxed and low-pressure atmosphere while providing so many tools for drawing out creativity.

Jessica Carpinone
Baker and Small Business Owner

 

 
jessica testimonial

This retreat exceeded my hopes on every level. The facilitators created a safe, warm, nurturing online space for us to connect and explore. I was so nervous about reading my writing out loud, and it turned out to be much easier than I thought because everyone in the workshop was so supportive. I also looked at my writing before and after, and some magic was definitely happening there on a creative level. I don’t think I would have gotten the same results just writing by myself in my living room. Listening to everyone share, and giving and getting feedback, really made a huge difference. I’m so excited to keep writing and see where this takes me!

Jessica
Writer