Always wanted to write, but haven't? What if things could be different?
Regardless of where you are in your writing journey, come away from the bustling crowds and join us for a Shut Up and Write retreat in one of the world’s most beautiful tranquil locations.
Our aim is to slow you down in order to release the real you. We create a space away from all cares of the everyday in a location deliberately removed from mundane. Relaxed. Restored. Reconnected. For you to uncover your creative potential.
It’s no secret writers struggle with focus. There are just too many interesting distractions at the end of our fingertips. Enhance your writing skills by investing your time in intentional self-reflection. Commit to engagement with the creative writing process. Come home with a plethora of tools and discovery of the best storytelling 'you'.
Breakthrough ...
Your retreat includes three days of ‘Creative Breakthrough and Release’, a practical hands-on seminar (valued at $2,200 on the mainland) that includes interactive Shut Up and Write workshop sessions where you discover freedom from the hindrances that block you and explore your own language of creativity.
If you are stuck somewhere between the multitude of words in your head and the blank page in front of you, this seminar will release you. We understand the creative struggle. We teach you tools of self-discovery to conquer that enemy called 'procrastination'.
Learn ...
Inspire. Create. Construct. Develop your ideas and concepts.
Draft. Revise. Share. Critique your drafts with other writers.
Reject. Select. Protect. Focus on honing your writing skills.
You'll also have days to write freely, enjoy the Bali sun-soak-sea experience, and visit tourist favourites (such as Tanah Lot, Ubud, Kuta beach, Legian markets, Seminyak Eat-street).
Your retreat experience will birth renewed trust in intuition and spontaneity, and release confidence in your writing.
DATES:
21st - 29th September 2024 (TBC)
COST:
8 nights / 7 days
$4,480 - one person - deposit $672
$6,880 - two people sharing - deposit $1032
Payment Notes:
Only your deposit is taken through Eventbrite. Once your place is secure, you will receive instructions for the direct transfer of balance payments. If you prefer to direct transfer your deposit and safe the cc merchant fees, please email your facilitators: CreativeHeartsCentre @gmail.com
Deposit: 15% Must be paid prior 15th July 2024. Places strictly limited, first-in-first-secured.
First Instalment: 50% 10th August 2024
Final balance: 35% 1st Sept 2024
RETREAT inclusions:
All seminar, workshop and class sessions.
Private luxury 5-star accommodation, airport transfers.
Daily breakfast or lunch in the villa.
Relaxing massage on arrival day.
Complimentary sarong and toiletries. You won't even need luggage!
What is not included: airfares to/from Denpasar Airport, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, meals outside the villa, shopping, gratuities, and any optional activities.
Optional activities: There are a myriad of additional recreational pursuits that can be arranged for you, such as horse-riding, surf school, water sports, white water rafting, cooking class, scuba diving, swimming with dolphins, silversmithing, batik class, etc.
Facilitators
Your facilitators are husband and wife, Andrew Smith and Wendy Manzo. Andy and Wendy ran the Brooklyn chapter of 'Shut Up and Write' for two years 2014-15, and continue to run 'Shut Up and Write' workshops at the Creative Hearts Centre on the Gold Coast.
Andy Hamish Smith has a wealth of experience in education, counselling, and leadership development spanning over four decades. Working with people of all ages from all walks of life, and extensively in the fields of community services, health, education, social enterprise, case management, human resources and corporate business sectors, Andy brings the valuable element of security and support in an emotionally safe environment. His passion is to see people set free and live knowing who they are, what they want to do and how to do it.
Specialising in self-awareness, confidence building and personal development, Andy provides many life-changing ‘ah-haa’ moments in our workshops. Andy understands the creative personality and spent 15 years in the music industry as a musician, band manager and music copyist for live television (Channel 9, 2, 10). Andy holds a Masters Youth Mental Health, Bachelor degree in Social Science (Counseling), and Grad Diploma HR Training. Andy is the co-author of '88 Days: Road to Recovery from Trauma'.
Wendy Manzo has been writing for two decades. Her works include: 'The Voice in the Paint', '88 Days: Road to Recovery from Trauma', 'Shut Up and Write That Book', 'Fragile as Seafoam', 'The Prophetic Artist', and '40 Days hath November'. She understands 'living with a creative mind' and has led artists and writers through from beginners to publishing and exhibiting. Wendy has a mandate to release joy and freedom into your work, and is renown for guiding each student with individual care according to his/her passion and skill level. Wendy is a PhD candidate and holds a Master of Arts (Christian Studies), GradCert in Visual Arts, GradCert in Teaching, Bachelor of Ministry, and Bachelor of Media and Communications.
Wendy is also an abstract expressionist and a live speed-painter. Wendy paints intuitively and spontaneously in live performance worship painting with perceptive, powerful and often prophetic images. Wendy has painted and exhibited around the world, including New York, San Francisco, Florence, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Parliament House, Canberra. She is a featured artist on the Australian television program 'Colour In Your Life'.
