A wonderful workshop...
Our Intention and Aspiration
The Wake Up and Write Writer’s Retreat Workshop is an offshoot of the original Writers Retreat Workshop, co-founded by Gary and Gail Provost in the 1980’s. After the May 2017 Writers Retreat Workshop in San Antonio, Texas, I also became the director of Writers Retreat Workshop, and have merged the two into one entity.
As one of the beneficiaries of Gary’s brilliant, funny, and generous teaching, as well as Gail’s insightful enthusiasm and support, I wanted to share with others what they shared with me. I was also fortunate to learn writing practice from Natalie Goldberg, and the experience of writing as a Zen practice brought an added dimension to my own work that I believe will also inform the work of other writers. Probably the greatest benefit for me as a participant in the workshop was the opportunity to study with Gary and ask him a multitude of questions. Another was the chance to meet with professionals, whether writers, agents, or editors, who were willing to talk about their experiences and in some cases, read my work and give me feedback (daunting at times, but helpful). Also, spending ten days doing nothing but writing, learning about writing, and talking about writing with an intimate group of devoted writers without having to cook or clean up or do anything but the workshop was an incredible gift. It's a gift I want to share and make available to others for as reasonable a price as possible. The workshop isn't cheap. It's a major commitment of time and money, and we generally go to retreat centers which don't have the amenities of hotels, because they are less expensive and generally provide a homier atmosphere in which we can gather. The workshops are limited to 25 participants, in order to ensure that every writer receives the support and attention he or she needs. It's an adventure, a roller-coaster ride, and a disciplined delight... Carol Dougherty (Doc), Director and Instructor Comments from past participants
Thank you! The workshop was a fantastic experience. I learned so much and enjoyed getting to know the participants and instructors, all intensely interesting and fine people...
I've done morning pages before with varying degrees of success; but with Carol's direction and exercises (writing practice), I came to a major realization about a character who was well on his way to becoming a stereotype. I also got the germ of a couple of scenes from those sessions... The readings, classes made all the difference for me...
I loved all of it but would have to say that I found the classes and the diagnostic sessions to be the most helpful in terms of learning about writing... My friend says any workshop/retreat/conference that offers one nugget of insight is worth its weight in gold. If so, the Writers Retreat Workshop made me a wealthy woman...
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L to R: Co-Founders of WRW - Gary and Gail, The Manuscript Doctor (Gary) at WRW graduation, Jason (former student, long-time director/instructor, and current instructor WRW, Doc (former student, instructor, current director/instructor WRW)
Doc consulting with Gary Provost at her first WRW, October 1991
Pictures from the July 2019 workshop in Boise
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100 WAYS GIVEN NEW LIFE!
WRW founder, the late Gary Provost's book,100 Ways to Improve Your Writing has been given new life by Penguin Random House in the form of an upcoming updated/revised edition. WRW co-founder, Gail Provost Stockwell has been working on this for years, and finally commissioned the revisions herself (done by WRW director, Carol Dougherty, Nushka, and PRH editor Tracy Bernstein), and Penguin Random House gave it the go-ahead. The original edition was published in 1985, long before laptops and tablets and the Internet we know today, and it's never been out of print. The scheduled publication date is May 28, 2019! |
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"Your voice as a writer is the sum of all the choices you make."
Gary Provost
Gary Provost
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If you are unable to attend a workshop at this time, you can now purchase workshop materials, including video, audio, and written materials in digital form.
Learn from one of the most generous and funniest of teachers, Gary Provost, and benefit from the course and materials he painstakingly crafted from his own research and experience. |
