Wellspring Fall Literary Escape: The Porches Edition

Norwood, VA, USA

WW
Wellspring Writing Collective
  • Email address verified
5 reviews
Sep 26 - 29, 2024
Group size: 4 - 4
Wellspring Fall Literary Escape: The Porches Edition
Norwood, VA, USA

Wellspring Writing Collective
  • Email address verified
5 reviews

Sep 26 - 29, 2024
Group size: 4 - 4

About this trip

Are you seeking dedicated writing time, accountability with a nurturing writing community, and guidance to take your writing to the next level? 

  

Join us for the Fall Wellspring Literary Escape: The Porches Edition—a 4-Day/3-Night writing retreat in Norwood, VA. Led by Cindy Cunningham, a seasoned instructor and retreat leader with over three decades of literary expertise, this retreat offers dedicated group and individual writing time, a safe and inclusive community, and expert guidance to elevate your writing.


Escape to the serene hillside of Norwood, VA, and immerse yourself in this restored historic farmhouse, built in 1854. Ignite your creativity, connect with writers of all varieties, and explore new writing strategies in tranquil surroundings.


Retreat Highlights:

  • Inspiring Atmosphere: The Porches' rich history and natural beauty provide a calm and inspirational backdrop.
  • Community Writing Time (Guided by Cindy): Refine your skills and overcome creative blocks with kindred writers.  
  • Individual Writing Time: Enjoy uninterrupted creative flow in peaceful surroundings.
  • Community and Camaraderie: Share experiences, ideas, and inspiration with other writers. Evenings consist of sharing dinner and then your writing (or choosing to listen only!)

Location: Only 3 hours from Washington, D.C., and less than two hours from Richmond, VA, The Porches offers convenience in a secluded setting.


Dates: September 26-29, 2024 Limited Spots Available: Secure your exclusive spot in this intimate retreat (limited to four attendees) and rejuvenate your writing while making lasting memories with fellow creative thinkers, where inspiration flows. Sign up today to ignite your writing passion!


 


 

Accommodations-About The Porches

The Porches Writing Retreat welcomes writers to a restored historic farmhouse built in 1854, on the James River in the Virginia countryside.


Compared to other writing retreats, the Porches offers a unique experience. Spacious porches and large private rooms provide peaceful views of wooded river bluffs and pastures. After a day of writing, enjoy sitting on the porches, sipping wine or hot tea as you watch deer browse among the fruit trees. 


The house is half hour from the Appalachian Trail, 50 minutes from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, 3 hours from Washington, D.C. 

 

Don't miss this opportunity to create, connect, and cultivate your craft in the heart of Virginia's enchanting countryside.

🌟 What Former Attendees Are Saying:

🌺 "This was an amazing opportunity to write, reflect and refresh in a beautiful setting with fantastic people." – Brooke D.


🌺 "This writing retreat took place in a tranquil countryside setting that set the stage for self-reflection and gave me the ability to write with a flow that had been blocked during the last few years." – Susan B. 


🌺 "It was an honor to write with so many women who have the same goal–writing and sharing self. That was a moving, deepening, edifying experience." – Kim M.


🌺 " I loved being able to share my meditation and sound tools. I loved the spread of food, the writing prompts, the longer length of writing time. This is a fantastic retreat for anyone looking to deepen their writing practice. Thank you!" – Lisa M.

 



Amenities

Fast speed internet connection in all rooms.


A large well-equipped communal kitchen is available for writers to prepare their own meals whenever they like. (Complimentary tea, sugar, and basic staples). A grocery store is in the town of Lovingston, a 20-minute drive from the retreat, where you may purchase supplies before arrival at Porches. 


Elegant and comfortable common rooms. The writers refectory (dining room) provides refrigerators, microwave, Keurig, Coffee makers and filters, mugs, glasses, dishes/flatware, cooking utensils. 


TV and DVD in living room library.


Bed linens provided. Tissues, toilet paper, paper towels. Laundry facilities are on the premises. Writers provide their own towels. 


Good drinking water from Artesian well.

What’s included

  • Lodging for 3 Nights
    Private room with writing desk and seating area.
  • Welcome Dinner
    Provided by Cindy--Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian options
  • Manuscript or Coaching
    Cindy will review and comment on up to 25 pages of writing (sent in advance) and/or meet with you for a private coaching session on any writing-related topic--your choice!
  • Coffee/Tea
    All weekend long--Keurig and drip coffee; a variety of teas, sweeteners, and creamer.
  • Community Writing
    Community Writing Sessions kick off each day to get you in the frame of mind to create, generate, then revise. All genres and levels of writing welcome.
  • Individual Writing Space
    Hours of Individual Writing Time each day. Each room has a lovely and sturdy writing desk, desk chair, as well as a comfy reading spot. Other serene areas exist both indoors and out.

What’s not included

  • Towels
    Linens are provided, but please bring your own towels as well as bath & shower products.
  • Meals
    Each attendee provides one group meal (for 5 people.) This may be super casual--soup and salad or sandwiches or pasta. More details as we get closer to the date. Breakfast On Your Own

Available Packages

Second Floor The Blue Queen

 On the second floor, the Blue Queen Room and the Dove Room  are spacious and light, lovingly restored. Each room offers elegant comfort, with original heart-pine floors, hand-blown glass windows, and high-ceilings. 


Enjoy a queen size bed, antique armoire, writing desk, and comfortable desk chair, as well as reading chair and sofa. The wide upstairs porch runs the length of the house and overlooks the James River bottoms and distant bluffs. . 

$675
Deposit:$135
Second Floor, Dove Room

On the second floor, the Blue Queen Room and the Dove Room  are spacious and light, lovingly restored. Each room offers elegant comfort, with original heart-pine floors, hand-blown glass windows, and high-ceilings. 


Enjoy a queen size bed, antique armoire, writing desk, and comfortable desk chair, as well as reading chair and sofa. The wide upstairs porch runs the length of the house and overlooks the James River bottoms and distant bluffs. 

$675
Deposit:$135
Third Floor, Jade Room, Twin

 The Jade Room has a twin-sized bed on the third floor and offers lofty views as well as lovely light. The two third floor rooms share a newly renovated hall bathroom with shower. 


All the porches are accessed through the central hall. So all rooms may enjoy both upstairs and downstairs porches. Every room has ceiling fans, desk fans, and air-conditioning. 

$625
Deposit:$125
Third Floor, Treetops, Queen Bed

 The Treetops on the third floor has a lovely, lofty view and lighting, a queen sized bed, a writing desk and chair, and reading chair. The two third floor rooms share a newly renovated hall bathroom with shower.


 All the porches are accessed through the central hall. So all rooms may enjoy both upstairs and downstairs porches. Every room has ceiling fans, desk fans, and air-conditioning. 

$675
Deposit:$135

Available options

Full Manuscript Review
$550
Deposit: $0

Thorough developmental edit of a full-length manuscript (any genre.) Reduced Retreat Rate. Send in advance.

Poetry Chapbook or Book Edit
$250
Deposit: $0

Thorough developmental edit of a full-length POETRY manuscript. All poems and structure/format addressed. Send in advance. 

Cindy's: Wild Woman: Memoir in Pieces
$15

Copy of Cindy's Memoir signed to you.



Itinerary

Day 1: Thursday Evening
Arrival and Introductions
  • Arrive at The Porches between 4:00 and 5:30; Settle in and get your bearings (perhaps take a few minutes to reflect on your surroundings in your journal.)

 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Welcome Dinner (provided)

  • Meet the other attendees.
  • Enjoy a welcome dinner while getting to know one another.
  • Participants receive a welcome package, including a schedule and writing resources.

 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Opening Session - Setting Goals and Accountability

  • Introduction to the retreat's goals and schedule.
  • Set personal intentions for the retreat.
  • Setting realistic and attainable writing goals.

9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. a time to socialize or write on your own (or sleep or eat etc.)

Your Organizer


WW
Wellspring Writing Collective
5 reviews
Cindy is a writing coach, retreat leader, and author of memoir and poetry. In her studies of Psychology (BA), creative writing (MFA), and literature (PhD), she explored myriad ways that writing can rejuvenate a person’s core identity. She realized that the only narrative about our life that matters is our own. She loves nothing more than bringing a diverse group together to share stories of joy, sorrow, loss, celebration, and life in all of its glorious chaos.

Reviews

DC
A Writer’s Retreat. I was there to work on my book. It seems that most of the people were writing whatever they wrote while they were there, but Cindy and her excepting attitude made it possible for everybody to do what they wanted even if it was different from the other people. I would’ve liked to participated with Cindy’s activities, but I had a goal in mind and I wanted to stick to it.
By Donna C for Seaside Retreat: Writers at the Beach Fall 2024 on Nov 20, 2024
I got so much writing done at the retreat! Surrounded by the beautiful ocean view, a personal chef, fellow writers, and plenty of writing tables/rooms/nooks, I made tremendous progress toward completing my manuscript!
By Pat M for Seaside Retreat: Writers at the Beach Fall 2024 on Nov 13, 2024
Porches is my favorite place to be and being there for this retreat was wonderful. Good group of writers. Cindy is a fantastic instructor and facilitator.
By Claudia B for Wellspring Fall Literary Escape: The Porches Edition on Oct 08, 2024
We all enjoyed a restorative 4 days in a magnificent beach house whose panoramic view of the ocean was dazzling, especially in the morning. The lack of pressure from Cindy, who offered us our choice of level of involvement, encouraged my desire not only to edit but to rest! I did both, and actually finished four sections of my book. Cindy also offered a number of group sessions, including group writing periods… very helpful and encouraging. I look forward to any other retreats Cindy puts together, and I would gladly return to this site. I do think, however, that the owners should install a proper handrail going into the pool. Without one, i wasn't able to use the pool for fear I’d end up having to yell for rescue in the middle of the night… please correct this!
By Donna C for Writers at the Beach 2024 on Feb 29, 2024
LL
Writers at the Beach 2024 definitely lived up to its name. This was a fabulous literary escape! From the beautiful spacious house, inspiring beach views, and wonderful writing classes – I absolutely loved every minute of my experience. Wellspring certainly knows how to curate truly epic adventures.
By Lisa L for Writers at the Beach 2024 on Feb 27, 2024