If the last few years has taught us anything, it's that there are always ways to do things different, change, and rewrite our stories. People have been calling it a new normal. We call it ReSTORY. This weekend, let's ReSTORY our creativity.
Create, collaborate, connect.
Reconnect with our creative selves, and fellow writers in this facilitated weekend of words with feature Author in Residence, Ali Bryan, on the same property WO Mitchell used to write. Located North of Cochrane, the URSA Retreat Centre is an oasis in the foothills, far enough away to feel secluded, yet close enough to civilization that you can pop into Cochrane to restock supplies.
Shared accommodations. 2 person, 4 person and 8 person rooms. Sorry, no single rooms. If there's someone you would like to share with, please let us know and we will do our best. Some rooms are equipped with desks, but we encourage people to write in the dining lounge, the library, the games room, the patio, outdoors, or a quiet spot in the hallway.
Food restrictions can be accommodated, just let us know.
Create, collaborate, connect.
Reconnect with our creative selves, and fellow writers in this facilitated weekend of words with feature Author in Residence, Ali Bryan, on the same property WO Mitchell used to write. Located North of Cochrane, the URSA Retreat Centre is an oasis in the foothills, far enough away to feel secluded, yet close enough to civilization that you can pop into Cochrane to restock supplies.
Shared accommodations. 2 person, 4 person and 8 person rooms. Sorry, no single rooms. If there's someone you would like to share with, please let us know and we will do our best. Some rooms are equipped with desks, but we encourage people to write in the dining lounge, the library, the games room, the patio, outdoors, or a quiet spot in the hallway.
Food restrictions can be accommodated, just let us know.
Author in residence - Ali Bryan
Ali Bryan is an award-winning novelist and creative nonfiction writer who explores the what-ifs, the what-the-hecks and the wait-a-minutes of every day. She’s published several books for adults and teens including the feminist YA dystopia, The Hill, which was longlisted for the 2021 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. She has two YA novels forthcoming: Takedown, a fight-paced contemporary feminist coming-of-age story that tackles elite sports, family illness and teen romance and The City, the second book of the Hill trilogy. Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bryan now lives in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies on Treaty 7 Territory, where she has a wrestling room in her garage and regularly gets choked out by her family. For more, visit: www.alibryan.com or follow her on Instagram @alikbryan.
Workshops and MANUSCRIPT CONSULTATIONS
Throughout the weekend, Ali will be available for manuscript consultations, one-on-one support and group workshops. You are not required to participate in any or all of the sessions.
MANUSCRIPT CONSULTATIONS
Reserve your spot at time of booking.
Ali will review up 5000 words of your work in progress - fiction and creative non-fiction
You will need to submit your pages by June 2, 2023 to allow ample time for Ali to read and review.
Manuscripts must be typed, double-spaced, 12-pt font such as Times New Roman, Calibri, Courier, Arial. Upon booking we will contact you to arrange.
ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT
These are office hours, separate from a manuscript review in which you can come in and chat with Ali one-on-one about writing related issues and get support on your writing journey. This is not a manuscript consultation. Ask questions about process, talk through a sticky spot in your manuscript, other writing challenges you are facing, getting published , acquiring an agent and more.
WORKSHOPS
Throughout the weekend, Ali will offer two workshops. These are open to everyone, no registration required.
WORKSHOP #1 - CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Conflict is the life-blood of good storytelling. It's what keeps readers up all night to read just one more chapter, just one more page. This workshop will explore the importance of conflict as it relates to all facets of story craft, from character and plot, to theme, POV, pacing, setting and more.
WORKSHOP #2 - THE WRITERLY IDENTITY
Navigating YOU through the tricky, fickle and often uncomfortable world of self-promotion, social media, personal branding, grant writing, artist statements, author bios and more.
MANUSCRIPT CONSULTATIONS
Reserve your spot at time of booking.
Ali will review up 5000 words of your work in progress - fiction and creative non-fiction
You will need to submit your pages by June 2, 2023 to allow ample time for Ali to read and review.
Manuscripts must be typed, double-spaced, 12-pt font such as Times New Roman, Calibri, Courier, Arial. Upon booking we will contact you to arrange.
ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT
These are office hours, separate from a manuscript review in which you can come in and chat with Ali one-on-one about writing related issues and get support on your writing journey. This is not a manuscript consultation. Ask questions about process, talk through a sticky spot in your manuscript, other writing challenges you are facing, getting published , acquiring an agent and more.
WORKSHOPS
Throughout the weekend, Ali will offer two workshops. These are open to everyone, no registration required.
WORKSHOP #1 - CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Conflict is the life-blood of good storytelling. It's what keeps readers up all night to read just one more chapter, just one more page. This workshop will explore the importance of conflict as it relates to all facets of story craft, from character and plot, to theme, POV, pacing, setting and more.
WORKSHOP #2 - THE WRITERLY IDENTITY
Navigating YOU through the tricky, fickle and often uncomfortable world of self-promotion, social media, personal branding, grant writing, artist statements, author bios and more.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
SELF-DIRECTED WRITING - spend as much time as you need, writing on your own.
FIRESIDE CHATS - come together at the end of the day around the outdoor firepit for some casual conversation or gather in the sitting room around the fireplace. A lot of opportunities to discuss your projects, the creative process and so much more.
FIRESIDE CHATS - come together at the end of the day around the outdoor firepit for some casual conversation or gather in the sitting room around the fireplace. A lot of opportunities to discuss your projects, the creative process and so much more.
About the facility
The URSA Retreat Centre is located just north of Cochrane, off Horsecreek Road. 50082 -Township Rd 283, Rocky View County, Alberta More details on the URSA Retreat Centre. |