Do I need to speak French?
Not at all! While those who can will have ample chance to parlez (and any French phrases the rest of us know will come in handy), the retreat will be conducted in English. Also, at the Maison we will have the services of a concierge/host, who will help with local information, reservations, and any emergency services we might need.

Do I need to be an experienced writer to attend?
Not at all. The retreat, like my ongoing classes, will be made up of writers of various interests and experience levels, including those new to writing. In my experience, this rich combination leads to new discoveries for everyone. The only requirements are a sincere interest in writing, a willingness to try new things, a positive attitude, and an openness to where your writing wants to take you.

What will a typical day include?
After a leisurely continental breakfast, we will gather for a few hours of writing. Then we will disperse, with suggested writing prompts in hand, to write, wander, and/or relax. We'll gather again for lunch at the Maison. Afternoons will feature more free time/writing time as well as time for individual conferences with me. (Before dinner most evenings we'll share work we've written (don't worry‹all sharing of work will be in an atmosphere of safety and support!) then have dinner together at the Maison. After-dinner activities may include relaxed workshopping sessions, visits to the local jazz club, or a nighttime stroll around the lake. While a willingness to participate in group activities is encouraged, no activity will be mandatory.

What is Sorèze like?
Sorèze is an historic, postcard-pretty village surrounded by green and gold fields and nestled at the base of Montagne Noir (the dark mountains) in the Languedoc region of France. The Maison is located in the heart of the village, within easy walking distance of cafes, restaurants, shops, and parks.

What about the weather?
The average temperature in the Soréze area in July is 70ºF, with an average high of 82ºF and low of 59ºF. It could rain (average precipitation in August is 2.1 inches, with an average of 5.8 rainy days in the month), and temperatures above 90ºF are possible but not likely. (Last year's historic heatwave was an unusual occurrence—and we survived it nicely!) There are fans in the bedrooms and a lovely swimming lake 3 miles away, so cooling off will not be a problem in case of hot weather.

When will the retreat begin and end?
You are free to check in to the Maison anytime on the afternoon of July 13, and the retreat officially begins that evening with dinner, introductions, and a casual orientation to the Maison and the town of Sorèze. Writing instruction will begin the following morning. We'll end after breakfast on the 20th, and you'll have until noon that day to check out.

When should I plan to arrive?
If you have the time, the best thing to do is arrive in France a day or two before the retreat begins, perhaps staying a night in Toulouse. That way, you have plenty of time to get acclimated and recover from jet lag. If that's not possible, please be sure to arrive at the airport or train station in Toulouse no later than the early afternoon of July 13.

Should I rent a car?
It's up to you. You won't need one for getting from Toulouse to Soréze (we'll be doing at least one pick-up at the train station and/or airport on the 13th), but if you're arriving early, staying late, or you'd like the freedom to explore the area on your own, you might consider a car rental. (Depending on the number of participants, if you do rent a car, I may ask you to help with rides to a few activities in exchange for a slight rebate on your retreat fee.)

Do I have to share a room?
The rate of $1,650 is based on double occupancy. If you're traveling alone, I will pair you with a roommate. If you'd like your own room, an additional fee of $400 is required, and singles depend on availability. All rooms have two beds, and baths are shared (1 bath per 2 bedrooms).

What will the food be like?
We will be enjoying the services of a French chef, who will prepare 3 delicious meals a day for us. The food will be abundant, varied, and typically French. While there is no specifically vegetarian option, there will be meatless choices at each meal. However, if you have a very restricted diet, this may not be the best trip for you.

What should I bring?
Notebooks, pens, writings in progress, a favorite book or two of poetry or prose to share, reading material, comfortable clothing, walking shoes, bathing suit, bathrobe, raincoat, clothing for warm weather. You won't need: linens, a hairdryer (there will be one there to use), or any appliance that requires a transformer. We'll write in notebooks during our group writing time, and there is a house computer from which you can send and receive email for a small fee. But if you can't live without your laptop, ask a technical guru about transforming to 220 volts. (Apparently Macs automatically transform voltage, but check to be sure.)

Will there be time for sight-seeing?
We will be taking a half-day trip together to nearby Albi, a scenic town hosting the Toulouse-Lautrec museum. We will also visit the town of Revel on Saturday for its renowned outdoor market. Aside from that, if you have access to a car, you are welcome to explore other nearby villages, which feature antique shops, outdoor markets, and fine dining. However, since this is a writing retreat, we recommend that you limit side trips so that your writing has time and space to blossom.

How do I register?
All you need to do is fill out a basic application (with a short writing sample) and speak briefly with Thea. These steps help Thea to assemble a harmonious group. Once your application is approved, you send a deposit for $500 to hold your spot. After that, a simple contract, trip insurance, and payment of the balance complete the sign-up process.

Be sure to check out photos of the Maison L'Art Vivant and Soréze.