“We Make the Road by Writing” Schedule, Format and Content

This online retreat will primarily use Zoom for online gatherings, but may also engage email, Flipgrid and other free technology for sharing retreat content and inviting connection among participants. To participate, you will need an internet connection, a computer or device equipped with a camera and a free download of Zoom on your computer or device. Zoom sessions will be limited to one to 1 1/2 hours in length to avoid screen fatigue.

Upon registration, participants will receive suggestions for creating and preserving your writing retreat time and space wherever you are. During the retreat, you will receive a daily writing prompt and qigong mudra to use at your own leisure, as well as options for connecting with other individual participants to share writing and the gifts and challenges of the writing life. All participants are encouraged to attend the midday circle and evening salon to enjoy the fruits of our online retreat community and to receive support for your own writing project. The last two evening salons will be devoted to participants reading from their work in progress and receiving supportive feedback from the group.

An optional afternoon guided writing session will be offered on a different topic each day (see topics below).  Individual consultations with Karen Hering to discuss your own writing project and process may be available on request for an additional fee.

Daily Themes
Saturday: The Road that Brought Me Here/Now
Sunday: The Ground Beneath My Feet (Where I Am Now)
Monday: Naming Our North Star: Stepping into the Unknown
Tuesday: Groundtruthing: We Make the Road and the Road Makes Us

SCHEDULE
July 24 evening – July 29 morning (ALL TIMES are CDT)

Friday, July 24
7-8:30 pm (CDT)      Opening Circle/Introductions and Blessing Our Writing

Saturday-Tuesday, July 25-28 (sample schedule, subject to change)
6 am                             Daily writing prompt and qigong mudra (emailed or posted online)
Morning                      Writing Time

12:00                            Midday Circle
12:30                            Optional zoom break out rooms for dyad or triad conversations

Afternoon                   Writing Time
2:30-3:30 pm             Optional Guided Writing Session (See daily themes below)

6:30-7:30 pm             Writer to Writer: Evening Salon/Conversation
(Monday and Tuesday nights: group reading)

Wednesday
10-11:30 am                Closing Circle/Blessing for Road