Let your ink flow at
PAGES & PATHWAYS
ACTIVE WRITER'S RETREAT
October 9-13, 2024
Join us for a 4-night writing retreat in the gorgeous foothills of Mount Hood near Portland, Oregon. Soak in the beautiful surroundings, connect with fellow writers, and make time for your writing.
Make time for your writing
Find the peace and quiet needed to focus deeply on your work, free from distractions. Whether you're looking to start a new project, gain fresh perspectives, or simply recharge your creative energy, our retreat provides the perfect setting to write, reflect, and grow. Join us for an unforgettable experience that will rejuvenate your spirit and elevate your writing.
so much more than a retreat...
Sit Write Here, E&E Booktime Publishing, and Petite Retreats have joined forces to offer a truly unique experience for writers.
WRITE WITH US
Pages & Pathways Active Writers Retreat provides so much more than time to write (though we schedule plenty of that into the itinerary - see below). Each day, you're invited to join us for a short hike followed by a "lunch and learn" writing lesson designed to help you build your skills as a writer.
These lessons target three citical components of storytelling: writing sensory details, crafting dynamic dialogue, and developing rich, compelling characters. After lunch, we send you back to your writing to implement everything you've learned. Embrace this unparalleled opportunity to elevate your craft while immersing yourself in the beauty and tranquility of the great outdoors.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Plenty of time to write
First and foremost, we are writers. The majority of the time will be devoted to writing.
Daily craft lessons
Each day, you're invited (not required) to join us on a hike/writing lesson. These excursions range from 60-90 minutes. They're a great chance to stretch your legs, meet your fellow writers, and gain powerful insights on how to improve your writing.
Meditation and yoga
Guided yoga and meditation sessions will be offered every morning. These are an optional, lovely, way to start the day.
Fun with new friends
Connect with an intimate group of writers at our nightly campfire readings. Share your work (if you'd like), laugh, learn, and raise a glass to the incredible journey of being a writer.
Additional support
For a small additional investment, writers can submit 20 pages of their own writing for feedback. Our excellent coahes will read your work and give you feedback on the first day of the retreat so that you can use the time that you're with us to work on revisions. This optional add-on also includes a mid-week private coaching session to make sure you're fully supported in your writing.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Full Accommodations
- Pages & Pathways Active will be hosted at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village near Portland, Oregon.
- Each Tiny House includes a kitchen, bathroom (with shower), and queen beds. You can choose single or double occupancy.
- Three meals a day will be provided by MyFitFoods.com plus snacks, coffee, and even fireside s'mores. (Please note, at this time we cannot offer vegetarian or vegan options.)
Daily Activities*
- Morning yoga and meditation. Start your day by getting focused.
- Mid-day hike and writing lesson. After a short hike, we'll have lunch together while learning more about the craft of writing.
- Evening fireside readings. Writers who want to will share a bit of what they've written while we toast s'mores and cheer each other on.
* All activites are optional
Time to Write
- While we do offer opportunities to get out of your cabin, move your body and be social, the focus will be on writing.
Private coaching
When you sign up, you will have the option to add private coaching to your retreat experience. Get notes on your work and check in with your coach mid-retreat to address any challenges you're facing.
REGISTRATION CLOSES SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
The Itinerary
5:00pm Welcome! ❤️
Settle into your cabin and then join the group for a welcome dinner.
Note: the first round of private coaching sessions will take place Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Choose to share your tiny house, or have one all to yourself!
Tell me more about the private coaching option.
Participants who opt to include private coaching will send their work (up to 5,000 words) to their designated coach two weeks before the retreat start date (read more about our coaches below). Within a day of arrival you will have your first 30-minute meeting with your coach to discuss the pages you submitted and make a plan for days ahead. You will meet again with your coach for another 30 minutes on Saturday to check in and ask any questions that arise while while you're working. This is a unique opportunity to get personalized feedback and guidance on your work.
Your Retreat Leaders
APRIL DÁVILA
April Dávila is an award-winning author, speaker, and writing coach.
Her debut novel, 142 Ostriches, was described by Publisher's Weekly as a "vivd, uplifting debut" and it went on to win the WILLA Award for Women Writing the West.
Her short fiction has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and her website was listed by Writer's Digest as one of the Best 101 Websites for Writers. she is the creator of the Sit Write Here writing coaching program, which integrates mindfulness meditation techniques to help writers quiet their inner critics, overcome writer's block, and edit more effectively. She has taught at conferences and workshops online and in person in both the US and Mexico.
Her second novel is forthcoming.
Learn more about April here.
AJ SPRINGER
Raised in Aberdeen, Washington, AJ Springer developed a love for family, community, and adventure.
Her diverse pursuits include racing cars, competing in boxing, kickboxing, and NPC fitness, and working as a camp counselor, personal trainer, coach, and professional football player. Now a mother of two, AJ balances her dynamic life in Portland, Oregon, with her passion for writing. Her publishing imprint is E&E Booktime Publishing.
AJ rises before dawn to write, channeling her experiences into her work. Her debut novel, MaryLou, is a heartwarming story of family, love, hope, and sacrifice.
AJ is a tea connoisseur and chocolate snob, savoring life's simple pleasures amidst her bustling schedule.
Welcome to the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village!
Each tiny house has a full bathroom (including shower), kitchen, living space, and queen bed(s).
Choose single or double occupancy when you register.
About the village
Mt. Hood Tiny House Village is located within the Mt. Hood Campground, a beautiful spot at the foot of Mt. Hood, about an hour's drive from Portland, OR.
Visitors to the campground can stay in tents, RVs, yurts, and of course, tiny houses. We have reserved all of the tiny houses for this retreat.
Other amenities (outside of our Tiny Houses) include a clubhouse, picnic and BBQ areas, a store, laundry facilities, library and more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you write, you're a writer, and all writers are welcome at the Pages & Pathways Retreat. Whether you're just starting your first story, or working on your fifth novel you belong here.
Most of the cabins are set up with loft beds that are accessed by very steep stairways (not *quite* ladders, but close) and the bathrooms are downstairs. If this poses a challenge for you, we may be able to book you a house with a bed on the floor level. Please contact april@aprildavila.com for more information.
If you must arrive late or leave early, you can, but we strongly encourage you to come for the whole retreat. It's going to be fantastic and we would hate for you to miss any of it.
Absolutely. Once you've registered, you will receive a questionnaire that includes a section on dietary restrictions. Please be detailed in your description of your needs so that we can be sure to prepare food you can enjoy.
Not at all. All genders are welcome. If you opt to share a cabin, you will be asked during registration to share your gender identity so that we make the best possible housemate match for you.
When you register, there is a place to list the name of a friend you would like to bunk with. We will do our best to pair you, but please keep in mind that we have limited capacity and we cannot hold a spot for someone until they register. In short: make sure you both sign up ASAP and list each other as desired housemates.
You will want to fly into Portland International Airport and rent a car. You can input the address of the lcation for easy directions: 65000 E. Hwy 26, Welches, OR 97067. The drive should take about an hour.
We will begin our welcome activities around 5pm, so try to arrive before then if you can.
Retreat attendees will be asked to self-test before coming to the retreat. Masks will not be required, though you are welcome to wear one if you want to.
Cancellations made less than 6 weeks before the first day of the retreat will be refunded the full amount minus a $100 fee.
Cancellations made less than 4 weeks before the first day of the retreat will receive a 50% refund.
Cancellations made less than 10 days before the first day of the retreat will not receive a refund.
DON'T WAIT! REGISTRATION CLOSES SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
We can't wait to write with you!
REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL 2024 RETREAT IS NOW CLOSED.
But we are planning to offer the retreat again next year. To be alerted when early bird tickets go on sale, click here to sign up for April's newsletter.