THE REWRITE RETREAT
Sarapiqui, Costa Rica
6th November – 12th November 2023
“You will leave the retreat refreshed, and with the foundations of a healthy writing practice and a lifelong community of Black Women and Women of Colour writers from around the globe.”
The retreat
We’ll spend a week in Costa Rica’s rainforest, writing and reconnecting with ourselves and nature! Each morning will begin with yoga, workshops, and a delicious healthy breakfast. Afternoons will be dedicated to writing, relaxation, and exploration. Whether you are a seasoned writer in need of dedicated writing time to work on your book, or you are working on your very first writing project, this retreat is for you!
We will be staying in a yoga sanctuary in the lush countryside of La Virgen, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica. All workshops and tutorials will be geared towards developing your writing voice and building your creative confidence in a nurturing and pressure-free environment. You will have the time and space to create new work and learn how to effectively self-edit your novel, poems, short stories or personal essays.
You will leave the retreat with a practical toolkit, the foundations of a healthy writing practice, and a lifelong community of Black Women and Women of Colour writers from around the globe.
Dates Monday 6th November to 12th November 2023.
Sample Day
Morning Yoga
Healthy Breakfast
Writing Workshop
Writing / relaxing time
Visit La Fortuna Hot Springs
Evening Meal
Lodging
For 6 nights, we’ll be in the heart of the rainforest in a beautiful yoga sanctuary run by Black and Brown women. The sanctuary is next to a nature reserve and also has a private skating rink (skates are provided), and direct access to the river.
Our mission is to help Black Women and Women of Colour connect with nature, forge life-long friendships, and find a safe space, for this reason, most of the rooms will be shared, with options for double and triple occupancy, there is 1 single-occupancy room available.
There will be desks, tables, and hammocks provided for you to focus and write. Since we’ll be in nature, why not take your laptop with you and write underneath the palms of a coconut tree?
Writing Workshops
There will be 2-3 hour writing workshops each day, as well as 1-on-1 tuition. Whether you are a published author or you are at the start of your writing journey, all workshops and tutorials will be geared towards developing your writing voice and building your creative confidence in a nurturing and pressure-free environment. You will have the time and space to create new work, and you’ll also learn how to effectively self-edit your novel, poems, short stories or personal essays. After each session, we will set our individual writing goals for the day, and you will have the time and space to write on your own.
Topics covered in the morning workshops:
Starting to write; generating ideas and creating a writing routine
Plot, character, setting & dialogue
Self-editing
Defining personal and career goals
Routes into becoming traditionally published and navigating the industry
Daily Morning Yoga
Each morning will begin with gentle and centring yoga in the open yoga studio led by certified yoga practitioners. The classes will be geared towards all levels and abilities, just make sure you bring comfortable clothing.
La Fortuna Hot Springs
We will visit the La Fortuna Hot Springs. You’ll have a chance to bathe in the warm water and indulge in medicinal hot springs. Relax and immerse yourself in the surrounding natural beauty of Costa Rica!
Nature Reserve
Located between the forests and rivers of the northern region of Costa Rica, we’ll spend the day exploring a nature reserve where education, research and beauty combine to offer you an unforgettable experience with nature. We’ll explore the trails, discover its flora and fauna, and walk along the suspension bridges.
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica extends majestically from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea with a width distance of barely 200 miles. Its land portion occupies only 20 thousand square miles. The variations in landscape and climate from province to province are stunning.
Costa Rica is one of the most highly valued tourist destinations on the planet. This small piece of land has all the necessary components to intrigue and continually satisfy the millions who visit each year. Costa Rica has extensive tourism offerings, including rainforests, volcanoes, rivers travelling through the mountains, beaches, national parks and forest reserves.
One of the first terms you’ll hear when in Costa Rica is “Pura vida,” which literally means ‘pure life.’ These two words sum up everything that makes this Central American paradise so amazing.
Daily Breakfast
We’ll start the day with a healthy and delicious meal! You’ll have the opportunity to taste local Costa Rican and Caribbean cuisine made with fresh and local produce.
Daily Lunch
Lunch will be included every day. Expect to feast on fresh, nourishing food at the sanctuary or on an excursion. The sanctuary will also provide herbal teas, fresh juices and smoothies.
Daily Dinner
Our welcome dinner will include a live musical band! Each day will culminate with a freshly-prepared dinner at the sanctuary. The sanctuary has an onsite chef who will cater for all food options, including vegan and vegetarian, pescatarian, meat options, gluten-free and everything in between!
PACKAGE
What is included
Welcome meal
Accommodation
Breakfast, lunch & dinner each day
Nature reserve visit
Group pick-up airport transfers
Hot Springs visit
Morning group Yoga every day
Writing workshops
30-minute individual tutorials
Welcome pack
What is not included
Airfare & visas
Alcohol
Travel insurance
All transport that is not part of the retreat programme
Food and drink outside of the retreat programme
Therapy treatments
All rooms are double or triple occupancy, and there is 1 room for single occupancy.
The early bird price is £1,875 / $2,317 for double occupancy
£1,650 / $2,039 for triple occupancy.
There is 1 single-occupancy room available, which is the Zen room. Please note, though you have direct access to the bathroom, the bathroom is available to the other group members so it will not be a private bathroom. The price for the Zen room as single occupancy is £2,550 / $3,205 with a deposit of £700 / $880
To secure your place, you will have to pay a deposit of £500 / $620, the rest of the payment can be split into 3 and will be due by September. If you have REWRITE MEMBERSHIP, you have the option to spread the payment over 5 instalments.
*Please note, there are limited places.*
Booking
-
ZORA Online Course July 2023
£25.00
GETTING HERE
The nearest airport is Juan Santamaría International Airport. (SJO)
RETREAT LEADER
Christina Fonthes, a Congolese-British writer, holds a wealth of experience in workshop leading. She is the proud owner and founder of REWRITE, a creative writing organisation that empowers Black Women and Women of Colour writers worldwide. Christina’s literary works are rich with profound explorations of womanhood, migration, and the search for a sense of belonging. Her captivating writing has been extensively published in esteemed journals and anthologies across the globe.
Currently a digital nomad, Christina remains dedicated to her role as the driving force behind REWRITE, fostering a vibrant space for creative expression and development for Black Women and Women of Colour writers. Her remarkable achievements have garnered attention, and she is proudly represented by Rocking Chair Books.
WORKSHOP TUTOR
Rachel Faturoti is a multifaceted creative, serving as an author, editor, screenwriter, and poet. Her incredible body of work revolves around expanding the representation of Black characters in Young Adult and Children’s fiction. In 2022, she released her captivating middle-grade novel, “Sadé and Her Shadow Beasts,” published by Hachette Children’s Group. Following that success, Rachel’s debut Young Adult novel, “Finding Folkshore,” was published in April 2023 by Jacaranda Books, and her short story is included in the thrilling YA anthology, “A Taste of Darkness,” set to be published by Scholastic in September. Throughout our retreat, Rachel will delve into the art of crafting compelling stories, sharing invaluable tips and guidance on navigating the intricate world of publishing
For our refunds and cancellations policy, please see our retreat FAQS.
Important information
- To register, please pay the deposit or the full amount.
- To ensure that the retreat is focused and relaxing for all participants as well as a good fit for you, you’ll be required to answer a few brief questions before your place on the trip is confirmed. This will also help us to allocate your room buddy. In the rare instance that it’s determined that the retreat is not a good fit, your deposit will be refunded
- All activities are subject to change
- You will have to take out travel insurance before coming on the retreat – we will ask you for proof of this. You will also need to sign a waiver form
- Please check entry and visa requirements for Costa Rica here https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements