These are the eyes
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Hello Lovely People,
I’ve just returned home from a 4-day writing retreat in Whitefish, Montana. I got out of the shower and caught a reflection of myself in the mirror. Whoa, those eyes look even more crazed than usual, I thought, and snapped a picture. This is what one looks like after a Writing Retreat. Eyes wide. Curious. Deep lines. Digging in. Revealing. Unsettled. Exhausted. Ready.
My teacher, Laura Munson, told us to take it easy for a few days. Did I? For a minute, maybe. There is just so much to do and NONE of it had to do with my writing. Maybe I should go back to Montana.
Yes, I have three published books (six if you count my contributing chapters to Cyndi Dales's sweet Chakra series). And yes, I have been writing all my life. But I have never really touched on personal stories, outside of my journals. In my classes, I have discovered a few things and learned that I don’t have answers to just about anything. At 60, I feel like I may have stories to tell, a bit of perspective, and some wild tales to look back on and try to make sense of.
And guess what? You do too! I look at all the women who have been teaching me creative writing during COVID from Suzanne Kingsbury to Natalie Goldberg (omg, Writing Down the Bones Card Deck!), The Diablo Writers Workshop, and Laura. They are teachers and I am a student. In the classes I facilitate, I am the encourager. I want to encourage you, challenge you, and support you in telling YOUR stories, and there are many, I’m sure!
Write and Roam Iceland is pretty full (although if you feel so moved I could get you into week two, Oct. 31- Nov. 6), but you can come write with me this fall in a 4-week session in Baltimore at Manor Mill. I only take 8 people for these sessions (ok, last time I took 9!) so if you want to explore your mind on the page with a group of lovely, supportive people sign up!
I will be announcing a spectacular Write and Roam retreat to Bhutan (September 2023) soon! Paid subscribers will get the first notice (a perk!) and then I will open it up to the rest. (There are over 5000 paid/unpaid subscribers here. Deep bow)
Ok, I should go write now (oh wait, isn’t this writing?!) You are all wonderful curious people and I thank you so much for being here. Hit the heart and leave a comment to let me know what you are up to and what you would like to see more of in my substack.
Lots of love,
Susan
PS, I have a new email address. Please add susan@susanweisbohlen.com to your contacts.