Summer Writing Retreat and Cultural Adventure
Discover the pura vida spirit…
Awaken your senses and deepen your connection to writing and nature
Casa Montemar is a tropical hacienda with a backyard jungle and panoramic ocean view, overlooking the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Palm and plantain trees enhance the luscious landscape, while an abundance of tropical flowers wander throughout the yard. There is a pool for dipping and swimming, a shaded rancho for reading and lounging; tree slung hammocks; and plenty of patios and balconies for scenic reflection. A verandah facing the jungle is the perfect setting for our writing circles, where we’ll be inspired by white faced monkeys, colorful toucans and scarlet macaws. At night fireflies and occasional thunderstorms light up the darkness. The beach is a short walk down a nearby path, and the expansive coastline goes on forever, ideal for morning walks, sunset strolls, and soothing ocean swims.
Write, Relax, Adventure ~ There will be a morning writing session each day (M ~ F) and plenty of time for personal writing and artful journaling, quiet reflection and natural inspiration, optional excursions to be arranged by retreat facilitator.
Participants: Open to six women
Cost: $1895 ~ Includes a private room; two healthy meals each day (breakfast plus lunch or dinner); fresh linens and housekeeping; daily writing circles, creative projects, nature experiences and local adventures; optional excursions extra. Please note: Airfare is not included. Transportation from the airport to Casa Montemar can be arranged
Retreat Facilitator:
Janet Lucy is an author and muse, who has been guiding and inspiring writers for over ten years through her business, "Women's Creative Network." She has lived in Mexico and Costa Rica and loves to share her passion for other cultures through adventurous writing retreats.
Testimonials:
"I heartily recommend Janet's Costa Rica Writing Retreat for any woman looking for an adventure of the heart, soul, body and pen! It was a feast for the senses and I plan to return, con mucho gusto!"
~ Colleen McCarthy-Evans
”Janet's superb steerage in writing prompts allowed me to dig deeply into my senses in each morning's group...
plus a warm inviting ocean to plunge into... black sand beach to stroll... scarlet macaws flying overhead... tropical rains falling peacefully upon your cabina's roof lulling you to sleep... blue morph butterflies zigzagging drunkenly by you... mermaids and monkeys are just some of the sights sounds and experiences that await you in this welcoming land...
it was lovely that some of the women in our circle lived nearby, truly bringing us into local culture as only insiders can... exploring the little town of Esterillos and spending an afternoon shopping in big city, Jaco, provided fun expeditions (and great bargains!)... You'll eat well and create much... It was a most peaceful retreat (and don't forget the mosquito repellent!)”
~ Laura Goldsmith
Fall Writing Retreat and Creative Adventure
Celebrating the Spirit of Dia de Los Muertos
Dia de Los Muertos is a joyful celebration of the continuity of life, and one of the most honored customs in Mexico. In the spirit of this sacred tradition we will deepen our writing and explore our imagination while creating Mexican folk art through collage, painting, journal making, personal altars, shrines, luminarias and more.
San Miguel de Allende is an exquisitely artistic and colorful backdrop for spirited writing and creative pursuits, and offers an endless source of inspiration and material. In early November the weather is pleasantly warm in the daytime with cool evenings and minimal rain.
This fall we will return to Casa de Las Ventanas in the neighborhood of Colonial Mexiquito. The house is spacious yet cozy, light-filled and open, offering sweeping views of the rolling hills, beautiful architecture, lush scenery, and the midnight fireworks of the city.
Participants: Open to six women
Cost: $1895 ~ Includes two healthy and cultural Mexican meals per day (breakfast plus lunch or dinner), single room with a private bath and balcony, and housekeeping. This year we are excited to stay in an area called Colonial Mexiquito, an easy 20-minute walk to the Centro. The house is colorful, light-filled, open and airy offering sweeping views of the rolling hills, beautiful architecture, lush scenery, and the midnight fireworks of the city. There will be one group writing session each morning and daily creative projects. Plus, optional excursions available to hot springs, artisan markets, local mercado, full service spa, jazz club, museums and more at participants expense. Tuition does not include airfare or ground transportation.
Retreat Facilitators:
Janet Lucy is an author, muse, and visionary, who sees the potential in the creative spirit. She is a prolific writer of fiction and nonfiction, and has been guiding and inspiring writers for over ten years through her business, "Women's Creative Network." She is the author of Moon Mother, Moon Daughter ~ Myths and Rituals that Celebrate a Girl's Coming of Age (Fair Winds Press 2003) and has been a contributor to Mothering, Natural Solutions and Skirt! magazines.
Terrie Adden is a local Santa Barbara artist and the owner of Kaleidoscope Design. She specializes in whimsical creations inspired by the folk art of Mexico and mosaic designs for the home and garden. Her work is currently on display and sold locally at Quixotic Art and Bee's Wing Art. Janet and Terrie are both fluent Spanish speakers with deep roots and many years of experience in Mexican travel and adventure. Janet and Terrie love to share their passion for Mexican culture with other women.
Testimonials:
"Janet is a gifted writing teacher whose ability to create a safe womb-like environment is boundless. I believe it is the only reason that I am still writing. My initial tentative attempts at writing were always rewarded by her words of encouragement, which allowed me to pursue this very healing medium of expression.
In May I attended my second writing retreat in San Miguel de Allende with Janet and Terrie. Both have an innate ability to create a loving sense of community among women with diverse backgrounds and personalities. Back from this retreat recently, I am already looking forward to more of the same. My deepest gratitude lies in the opportunities I have to be in Janet and Terrie's presence. Last but not least, they are excellent cooks and so much fun."
~ Emilda Jaccard
“This was the third time I experienced San Miguel with Janet Lucy; it is such a special place. I see windy cobblestone streets and buildings the colors of a sunset. It is an inviting town...walking for hours; peering into half open wooden doors, catching glimpses of courtyards filled with palms and hanging plants. Shopping in the open air market for the freshest fruits and vegetables and wonderful crafts. The retreat was a time to relax, reflect, and create. I had the most wonderful time with women I knew, and women I met for the first time. I feel so fortunate to have experienced the creativity, the stories, the cooking, and the love. Janet has an amazing gift: she hears your story and encourages you to write it. We all have a story to tell, and what stories! And her dear friend Terrie brings her own humor and love and creativity to the group. I'm ready to sign on again! As I always say to Janet, "I'm in."
~ Susan Badone
“The writing retreat in San Miguel was fabulously fun, restorative and productive. Janet brought invaluable clarity and structure to what felt vague and tangled in my writing... the food, divine... crafting and creativity abundant...a sacred summer camp for us big kids with ideas!!!!”
~ Laura Goldsmith
“In praise of Janet Lucy and Terrie Adden and their FABULOUS San Miguel Writers Retreat! It was AMAZING! Thanks to the careful and detailed planning of two amazing women and their commitment to provide the perfect creative retreat, we were encouraged to dig deep within and find our words and develop our stories. In conjunction with a soothing and supportive environment attention was paid to every detail from the lodging, meals, art projects, and “personal time” to the details of the creative process.
Janet is a gifted and intuitive facilitator with the unwavering commitment to open writers to their deepest expressions while providing feedback that is both constructive and supportive. Her ability to get to the heart of the matter is unparalleled with any other writer's group I have participated in. She was available 24/7 of the trip to provide both group and personal feedback and support.
Terrie provides an endless supply of creative outlets to help prime the creative pump on other levels from collage journal making and nicho decoration. She is the magic fairy who makes sure all our artistic logistics are met and the ballast that kept the operations stable.
In tandem these two amazing women conducted the workshop so as to appear seamless, effortless and yet multifaceted.
I have never had such a nurturing experience on a personal level nor have I had a better experience developing my craft. I strongly recommend this workshop for any writer regardless of their level of development for it went beyond a writer's retreat and became a treasured life experience.”
~ Julia Atwood