A Visit to Inis Mór (Part 1)

Last August, I had the opportunity to teach at a writing retreat and tour in Ireland with Ireland Writer Tours.   In addition to teaching writing courses, we visited many landmarks and historical sites, including the largest of the Aran Islands, Inis Mór (sometimes written “Inishmore”). The trip to the island took about an hour by boat (at least, that’s what I’m told–I fell asleep almost the moment we left the dock and didn’t wake up until the boat arrived, much to the chagrin of the queasier members of the group). Here’s the view from the arrival dock: After leaving the boat, we stopped for lunch at

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What Good is a Writing Retreat? And What Should You Look For?

I blog a lot about conferences, and the benefits a good conference provides to writers. Writing retreats are like mini-conferences, and offer their own set of benefits. Here are some tips for getting the most from your writing retreat: 1. Make a list of your goals and priorities for the retreat before you pick one. That way, you can be sure the retreat you’ve selected meets your needs. 2. If you want a “guided retreat” with writing coaches or workshops, look for teachers whose style and experience interests you, and for classes tailored to the attendees’ needs. Some retreats offer general classes,

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