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San Francisco's innovative alternative to creative writing instruction
with Thea Sullivan, MFA, MAT
Testimonials from Participants in Last Year's
Sorèze,
France Retreat
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Inspiring-humbling-affirming-absolutely delicious in every way. Impossible to list everything that brought joy-but I am reminded of the great privilege of hearing personal stories-and holding the words of other writers in my heart. It was extraordinary to be surrounded by the energy of that amazing house-I literally felt buoyed by it. It felt like my creative partner. I will take away a deeper sense of myself as an artistic person-and also, a person who loves being in community.
–Chris Rodgers, San Francisco, CA |
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How can I describe the magic? The place itself inspires such exquisite presentness. Then we do our writing and the air crackles with possibility. We scatter words throughout the house and a staircase becomes a river, a bird's nest a ravine, a candlestick a lilac... "Retreat" may be a misnomer. We are adventurers, explorers-every day we excavate and bring treasures to light... (Virginia Woolf wrote about the ability of certain foods to light the lamp at the base of the spine from which creativity/inspiration flowed. If there's any connection at all between food and inspiration, then Art Heaven is Writer's Heaven as well! Food as muse!)
–Maggie Ballard, San Francisco, CA |
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My experience was wonderful, relaxing, challenging, affirming, magical, completely memorable, and full of great moments I will carry with me. I especially enjoyed writing exercises that were done during class time and shared immediately after-what a good surprise to hear what wonderful writing is possible, not in solitude, perhaps at any time. And exercises in which we gave feedback to each other-this is so affirming, in the positive, supportive environment we enjoyed all week. The trip to the market in Revel was great fun-colors, smells, people, sounds, a lot of everything that is special to Revel. Nese and Christine's magical cooking speaks for itself! One-on-one time with Thea was important for me. I will take away the wonder of it all.
–Holly Fernandez, Oakland, CA |
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More than anything else, I really appreciated Thea's feedback on the three chapters of [my novel-in-progress]. I've incorporated all of the suggestions-they were smart and perceptive.
–LD, South Carolina |
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I will take away the unusual sense of peace I experienced
and the amazing individual talent all around me.
–Melissa Barcomb, Maryland
The retreat was magical. I especially enjoyed the people. I will take away courage.
–Cathy Aubrey, Oakland, CA
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Copyright
2002-2004, Thea Sullivan
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