Write-by-the-LIGHT workshops and Retreat

​Time to Write by the Light! June 16th through June 19th, 2021
Gather with talented and published writing instructors for a return to your inner writer and light.

Instructors from past Write-by-the-Lake retreats will offer our 1st summer Write-by-the-LIGHT workshops and retreat,
LIVE and On-line. 

You have 2 workshop venues to choose from:
One: Laure Scheer's    BACKPACKING BASICS - NATURE WRITING 101  

Two: Julie Tallard Johnson’s Write Meaningful Nonfiction: Turn Your Personal Experiences, Knowledge, and Journaling into an Inspiring Book, Blog, or other Writing

Laurie and Julie will offer consecutive workshops 9 – 11:00 every morning and 2 to 4:00 every afternoon. Full calendar below.
In addition! You can attend one-hour sessions with Christine DeSmet, Angela Rydell and Tim Storm. (See details and bios below) Molly Chanson, author and yoga instructor will offer an evening class of yoga for writers! And!, Laurie and Julie will give personal one-to-one attention and consultation to 10 pages of your writing following the retreat.

Register and SIGN UP HERE: Write-By-The-Light Writing Workshops & Retreat  
Cost only $225.00
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Workshop Options Descriptions:
 
Workshop Option 1:
BACKPACKING BASICS - NATURE WRITING 101 by Laurie Scheer
 
What do you need to know to become a nature writer in today’s writing environment?
Nature writing. What is this genre that has seen a rise in popularity in the last decade? There have always been authors who have addressed topics surrounding nature, however, lately, their words have become more urgent.
In this session you’ll be given information you need to fill your writing backpack. Basic tools to help you get through the adventure such as knowing about past nature writing authors, popular topics in this genre, and, why the genre has recently exploded help you see where your current and future material fit into this landscape. Learning to navigate nature writing is an adventure and a reward in itself. Join us to begin to earn your writing badges in the nature writing universe.

Topics Addressed:
•    What is nature writing – the definition.
•    What authors are considered nature writers?
•    Why is this genre necessary?
•    Where to begin with your material – fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry?
•    Can your writing save the planet?
•    How to influence readers through your research, writing, and presentation.
•    What is your “trail name” and why? (How do you brand yourself?)
•    Establishing your voice and unique corner of the universe.
•    Looking at navigating the nature writing universe, how to begin.
•    Will your words resonate a decade – or more – from now? How to be sure they do.
 

 
Workshop Option 2:
​Write Meaningful Nonfiction: Turn Your Personal Experiences, Knowledge, and Journaling into an Inspiring Book, Blogs, or Other Writing by Julie Tallard Johnson
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• Write a book based on just an idea or theme.
• Write on a subject that has captivated your attention.
• Write a book taken from your blogs.
• Write a book, blog or article based from your field notebooks.
• Write transformational nonfiction based on journal entries or letters.
• Write a book based on your travels, spiritual experience, encounters or views.
 
Whether you have just an idea for a book, journals full of notes and stories, a series of blogs, or, have written a first draft of a manuscript, you will leave this week with simple, applicable methods for the writing and completing of your book. This means, you will have a personalized architecture, relevant skills and the means to take your idea and experiences to a full crafted book. You will leave fully equipped and ready to continue to write about your life experiences, stories, and wisdom.

I will give you hands-on tools and practices to write compelling and informative narratives based on your personal experiences and knowledge. This dynamic course has helped dozens of writers frame their ideas, get their book written and out to publishers. Several of my writers are now published! You too will know how to share your wisdom, ideas and stories in a captivating way. Write a narrative that reaches readers that gets publisher’s attention. The magic and skill is in making what is personally meaningful to the writer (you), meaningful and captivating for your readers. I use transformational writing prompts that inspire you to write and the reader to be engaged in your stories. We will be writing inside and outside the class, with every day full of writing prompts, explorations, and methods to inspire you to write captivating nonfiction.

A couple extra caveats from this class will be your ability to write better blogs, articles, or any other creative nonfiction piece. (Many of these may end up in your book.) In addition, all my work with writers includes helping them to identify personalized ways to make a living from their writing, before and beyond publication of a book.

During the week, I can answer any questions you have about putting your work out in the world, whether it be through a blog, a manuscript sent to a publisher, an article for a magazine, or even a group email. You will have the basic template of what you need to take your personal experiences and make them meaningful to readers.
 
 
Write-by-the-LIGHT Calendar
 
Wednesday June 16th 9:00 AM:  Welcome
10:00 to 11:00 break out into your chosen workshop with Julie or Laurie
Noon: optional lunch with Julie and Laurie (opportunity to meet others)
2:00 till 4:00: Workshop time with Julie or Laurie
 
Thursday June 17th
9:00 till 11:00: Workshop time with Julie or Laurie
NOON lunch gig with TIM STORM:  Tension: keeping the reader hooked!
2:00 till 4:00: Workshop time with Julie or Laurie
6:30-7:30 PM:  YOGA for Writers with Molly Chanson
 
Friday June 18th
9:00 till 11:00: Workshop time with Julie or Laurie
NOON lunch gig with ANGELA RYDELL: How to Think Like a Poet to Deliver Your Theme.
1:00 session with CHRISTINE DESMET: From Nonfiction to Novelist: Making the Switch Successfully
2:00 till 4:00: Workshop time with Julie or Laurie
6:30 PM:  TIM STORM: Turning points: craft strong turning points

Saturday June 19th
9:00am till 11:00: Workshop time with Julie or Laurie
NOON lunch gig with Julie and Laurie
2:00 till 4:00: Workshop time with Julie* or Laurie
(*Weather and attendance permitting, Julie’s session will meet outside, in person).

Instructor Bios:

Laurie Scheer
Laurie Scheer is the co-founder of New Nature Writers and a Writing Ranger. As a former vice president of programming for WE:Women’s Entertainment, Laurie analyzed manuscripts and scripts as they entered the competitive media marketplace. She has also been involved in producing series for the web, films for video games, and other digital based forms of entertainment and has mentored many successful industry professionals throughout her career. Laurie has been an instructor at numerous universities across the U.S. from Yale to UCLA. As a professional speaker, she has appeared at annual conventions, including the Willamette Writers Conference. As the Director of UW Madison’s annual Writers’ Institute, Laurie was the managing editor of The Midwest Prairie Review, and a writing mentor to hundreds of students (of all ages) in person and online. Her personal interest in Nature Writing stems from her love of the American Desert Southwest and from being an avid cyclist and hiker. As an Aquarian, Laurie has always wanted to bestow healing for the globe. She currently lives near Joshua Tree National Park, surrounded by cactus and mountain ranges that have many answers.

“Write your book”.  Those three words from mentor extraordinaire Laurie Scheer got me through many dismal days. She is patient, down-to-earth, and so well versed in the ins and outs of everything writing. Through her I became part of a community when she referred me to people, blogs, and publications. In my year with Laurie I wrote two books, both of which will be published. Step by step: “Write your book”.  I’m so grateful she is my guide, and you will be, too.  – Nancy B.

Julie Tallard Johnson As an author of 11 inspirational books, a popular blog and several fiction and nonfiction published pieces, I can help you forge your own path to writing and completing a captivating book that others will want to read. I have worked with writers for over 25 years where I have simplified a book writing process so that when you go home you will have established a solid foundation for your ideas and writing intentions.

"When I signed up for Write by the Lake, I knew I wanted to write a book, but I didn’t have a clear idea of what the book would be about. I signed up for Julie’s memoir writing course and bought her book, The Zero Point Agreement. As soon as I read the first page I knew I had chosen the perfect teacher (Sherpa) for me. Julie’s teaching style is encouraging and heartfelt, and over the course of the week my mindset shifted from writing as an indulgent hobby to an act of self-expression and service that can actually change the world. Julie’s guided processes and interactive writing prompts took me from idea to a template for my entire book within the week. I now have a completed manuscript that is ready to publish, and much of the writing I did at WBTL is in my book! Julie provides tools and insight that you will take with you for your entire writing life after the week long class. I am forever grateful that because of Julie and her compassionate teaching style, I am now a writer. "  –Molly Chanson, MA, Yoga Instructor, author.  (The book she worked at WBTL will be released in 2021 through Shanti Arts. https://www.shantiarts.co/landing_books.html 

Christine DeSmet 
Christine DeSmet has two degrees in journalism from UW-Madison and was a writer in public relations and marketing for the university before she plunged into writing fiction. Her first novel manuscript won a national award, which was a pleasant shock but the start of a big learning curve as she carved out her fiction-writing career. Today, she is the author of the Fudge Shop Mystery Series (set in Door County, Wis.) and the Mischief in Moonstone novella series (set on the shores of Lake Superior). She is a developmental editor and writing coach for adult writers, and is currently a Distinguished Faculty Associate of writing at UW-Madison Continuing Studies. Christine is the recent past director of the Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Workshop & Retreat and a past director of Writers’ Institute. Also a screenwriter, she belongs to Writers Guild of America East, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters In Crime, and other writing organizations.

"If a Hall of Fame for writing teachers existed, Christine DeSmet would be one of its premier inductees. Her skill at coaching writers to master their craft is the reason so many of her students, including me, are proud authors of award-winning novels. Her encouragement and guidance have helped me and so many others grow from good writers into great writers."
~Julie Holmes, award-winning author of Murder in Plane Sight (Julie Holmes participated in Christine DeSmet's Master Class at the Write-by-the-Lake Writer's Workshop & Retreat.)


Tim Storm 
Tim Storm is an award-winning writer and teacher whose work has appeared in a number of journals and anthologies, including Black Warrior Review, Copper Nickel, Short Story America, and Literary Hub. His passion for storytelling and its inner workings informs his teaching, editing, and mentoring. He runs an online writing school (stormwritingschool.com), which offers articles, worksheets, and courses geared toward helping writers hone their craft of engaging and moving stories. 

"Tim Storm is a master teacher who uses brilliant tactics to help his students internalize concepts. Tim’s goal is to teach writers to be skilled creators, equipping them with what they need to know in order to conjure meaningful, satisfying stories. In his courses, Tim’s every sentence resonates with careful craftsmanship, tuned for graspability, down to each individual word.” —Tricia Wagner, author Where Fish Can Breathe

Angela Rydell  
“Poet Angela Rydell has taught prose writers to think like poets and write like pros for over fifteen years at the UW-Madison Division of Continuing Studies, and coaches novelists, short story writers and poets at Writers’ Inlet. Angela is also a novelist and short fiction writer whose work has appeared in The Sun, Prairie Schooner, Alaska Quarterly Reviewand other journals. She lives in Madison, WI, where she’s at work on a cli-fi novel about an unemployed weatherman trying to make life more predictable. Her coaching packages include a Novel Foundation Package (First 5, First 25 Pages), Creative Writing 101 Package, and Think Like a Poet to Write Like a Pro Package. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritersInlet. Email: angelarydell@gmail.com. Website: www.writersinlet.com.

"I felt as if your class fit a key into a lock that was giving me problems, and I'm so glad I took it."  ~Kristin Bayer, West Bend Wisconsin

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