WordFam Retreat 2023

Posted On 19 September 2023
A table on a balcony looking out over trees and a beach. The view extends to where the sea meets the sky
The view from one of Anchorage’s rooms

In August 2023, we held our first WordFam Retreat! A group of us headed off to beautiful Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) to spend a weekend enjoying chill island vibes, cool winter temperatures, sandy beaches, great company, and writing times.

We had a conference room to ourselves for focussed writing time, and a nearby beach for those who wanted to spend some time writing outside. World and story building tools were on hand for those who were looking for inspiration. We also had a quiet writing space for those who wanted fewer distractions.

At the start of the weekend, everyone set a goal for what they wanted to achieve over the Retreat. Any kind of goal worked, whether it was a word count, a completed piece, pages edited, or creating a plan for a story. I’m excited to report that everyone hit their goals! Fantastic work by all.

We’re so delighted with how everything went. We got to catch up with some far-flung WordFam members in person, play card games, and spin stories together. I was sorry when the weekend was over and it was time to hop on the ferry to head home.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the weekend happen, and to everyone who came along and took part. You all make it special. It was wonderful and I hope we can do it again sometime!

Write on, beautiful WordFam!

A view through trees to a sandy beach and the sea beyond
A view over a balcony railing to trees, a beach, and sunset skies
A conference room with three table groupings set up. There are writers sitting at the tables, busily working away!
Our conference room setup. Not pictured: the essential coffee and tea supplies!
A camping chair and an umbrella sitting on a sandy beach
A beach writing spot with an umbrella for shade
A crow standing alone on a sandy beach
A writing buddy who visited the beach with us
A curlew looking around an island restaurant, with a couple of glasses in the foreground
A curlew who came to visit us during dinner one evening
An open box containing stacks of cards, each a different colour. The box is sitting on a table.
The Story Engine, a story building tool
Cards arranged in groups and stacked so that specific text is visible
Some prompts assembled using the Story Engine
Cards arranged in groups and stacked so that specific text is visible
Some prompts assembled using the Story Engine
A purple tote bag with the WordFam name, logo and URL on it in white
Part of the Retreat goodie bags for attendees
A spiral-bound notebook with the WordFam logo, name, and the words 'Retreat 2023'
Part of the Retreat goodie bag
A small yellow rubber duckie
A tiny writing buddy in our goodie bags
The spine of a spiral-bound notebook
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