DELVING DEEP
with Emily Bitto
and
STORY WORKSHOP
METHOD
with Kinchem Hegedus
October 19 - 22, 2023
optional extra day
to stay until Monday 23rd
Delving Deep uses archetype, symbolism and character work to reveal the heart of your story.
Award-winning author Emily Bitto will guide the afternoon sessions in this two-and-a-half-day intensive workshop, delving deeply into your creative project, with the intention of understanding it more clearly, and making it a richer and more sophisticated work of art.
The course is designed to add depth to your writing project, whether it is a novel, memoir, or even a short story. Emily’s tuition includes examples, group discussion and writing exercises, to empower your working process with tools to use throughout your writing life.
The topics focus on the themes at the heart of your story; how to use these to generate plot, character, scenes and imagery; how to translate the macro-level themes on the page to achieve consistency and sophistication in your use of imagery and language; how to tap into universal archetypes as a way of deepening and enriching your narrative.
The Story Workshop Method is a generative creative writing process based on the theory of ‘seeing in the mind’. It uses a repertoire of oral storytelling, reading aloud, play, ideation, writing and recall exercises to generate new writing.
With a tool kit of varied exercises, it is designed to help you to hear your own individual voice while stimulating your imagination.
This method provides a supportive, interactive, and challenging environment for developing your reading, writing, listening, speaking, critical thinking , and imaginative problem-solving capabilities.
As its focus is the creative process, it is suitable for both new and experienced writers.
Kinchem first learned The Story Workshop Method, devised by John Schultz and Betty Shiflett, as the basis of her MFA in Fiction Writing at Columbia College in Chicago. She subsequently trained with Shawn Schifflet to teach the method herself.
Read what Emily's students have had to say
click the button above or email us at admin@lifeatspringfield.com to book your spot!
PROGRAM
The program includes coursework and discussion, as well as time to write, reflect, and share your work with Emily, Kinchem and the group, all in the glorious landscape of the Southern Highlands.
Morning workshops with Kinchem will be inspiring, creative and generative, and afternoon workshops with Emily will help you to shape, polish and enrich your writing process while deepening understanding of your work.
There are no one-on-one sessions included in the program, but Emily is offering the option to schedule a one-on-one consultation either before or after the course, for an additional fee.
For anyone wishing to ‘stay in the zone’ to sink into your writing or enjoy some ‘me time’ you can choose to stay for an extra day, to read, write, relax and enjoy a massage. You may also book a one-on-one sound healing with Nadya or yoga class with Roxy.*
*depending on availability
INCLUSIONS
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Two workshops with Emily
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Two workshops with Emily
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Closing workshop with Emily & Kinchem
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Evening salon
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An opportunity to share your current project
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The option to do readings
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Cosy open fires, weather permitting
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Nourishment of organic farm to table meals made with fresh produce straight from our very own veggie gardens. Vegetarian and vegan options.
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Choose from a variety of beautiful accomodation options
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Optional gentle morning yoga
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Optional massage, garden tour and bush walk
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Beautiful workshop studio
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Transfer to and from Bowral train station
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Concierge staff and onsite laundry
LOCATION.
Springfield is situated on traditional lands that were shared by people of the Gundungurra, Dharawal and Yuin nations. Springfield is only five minutes drive from Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park.
We are 15 minutes from Bowral, Moss Vale and Robertson in the beautiful Southern Highlands of NSW. The energy here has been described as peaceful, still and even soporific, making it an excellent place for writers who want the quiet time and space needed to hear their writer's voice and sink in to the wonder of creative flow.
Dr Kate Forsyth
Emily Bitto is a novelist, poet, and a long-time student of literature and human psychology, who has been teaching creative writing for more than a decade.
Emily Bitto lives in Melbourne. She has a Masters in Literary Studies and a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne. Emily has been teaching for over a decade, and has taught creative writing at The University of Melbourne, RMIT, Victoria University and the Faber Writing Academy. Her writing has appeared in various publications, including Meanjin, Island, HEAT, the Monthly, the Age, the Saturday Paper, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Big Issue fiction edition.
The manuscript of her debut novel, The Strays was shortlisted for the 2013 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript, and the published novel went on to win the 2015 Stella Prize. It was also shortlisted for The Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction, the NSW Premier’s Prize for New Writing, and the Dobbie Literary Award, and longlisted for the Dublin IMPAC prize. The Strays was published in the US (Twelve Books) and Canada (Penguin) in January 2017.
Emily’s second novel, Wild Abandon, was published by Allen and Unwin in October 2021.
LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, DON'T MISS OUT!
WHAT TO EXPECT
On this retreat you’ll have the opportunity to write what you’ve always wanted to write. Your writing will be supported by Springfield’s signature creative ecology. Being on retreat in a beautiful natural place will bring insight to your work in surprising ways. Prepare to feel open and spacious as you tune into a different state of mind. Writing on retreat is so special. It initiates that altered state of mind we’re in when we’re writing. That’s when the magic happens. We’ll take a break mid-weekend to refresh and enjoy a local excursion. You can use your free time each day to go even deeper into your writing, or take a break and treat yourself to a massage, visit one of the local villages, galleries or wineries, or simply sip a cappuccino, write postcards, and enjoy the gardens and views.
A DAY AT SPINGFIELD's WRITING RETREAT*
7:30 - 8:30 Optional gentle morning yoga
8:30 - 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 - 12:30 Writing workshop
12:30 - 1:30 Lunch
2:00 - 5:00 Writing workshop
5:00 - 6:30 Evening Salon
6:30 Dinner
*program is sample only, details may change
Read what our past guests have had to say
Read more of what our past guests have had to say here.
IS THIS RETREAT FOR YOU?
This retreat is ideally suited to writers beginning new work and those wishing to develop a creative project already on the go, no matter how small or how nascent.
Come prepared to generate new story ideas, or deepen existing stories.
There will be some individual writing time included in the retreat, so please bring your laptop, writing materials or whatever you need to take advantage of this time
As numbers for this retreat are strictly limited (8-12) registration forms and payments must be received before your place is secured.
AVAILABILITY, ACCOMMODATION & PRICE GUIDE *
Accommodation is first come, first served.
If you are embarking on this journey with yourself, please see private costs.
If you hope to share this experience with a friend, please see shared costs.
For more details regarding rooms please explore our accommodation here or visit our gallery.
We require full payment to secure your room.
THERE IS ALSO AN OPTION STAY ON WHILE YOU ARE 'IN THE ZONE' TO ENJOY UNSTRUCTURED WRITING TIME. AN EXTRA $350 INCLUDES ONE NIGHT, ONE MASSAGE AND THREE MEALS. CHECK OUT AT 2PM ON MONDAY 23RD
* GST will be included on invoice
Super King with private ensuite
3 Nights Private: $2000.
Two Double beds with private ensuite
3 Nights Private: $2000.
3 Nights Shared: $1750 each.
Queen bed, shared bathroom (with Avocado room)
3 Nights Private: $1850.
Two Single beds, shared bathroom (with Indigo room)
3 Nights Private: $1850.
3 Nights Shared: $1600 each.
FARM HOUSE ROOMS
Queen beds, shared bathroom
3 Nights Private: $1800.
DROVER'S REST ROOMS
Super King, shared bathroom
3 Nights Private: $1600.
DAY RATE
For Southern Highlands Locals Only
3 Night: $1250.