What do you think?
...I need to know, please
The fifth annual Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat is a wrap!
Many decisions about the future of this event will be made in the weeks ahead, so if you attended this year, please take a few minutes to fill out the survey now. Your opinion really does matter.
I’ve loved seeing your posts across Facebook, Instagram, and Substack—it almost makes me feel like I was there Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. My sincere apologies for not being; something hit me hard and I’m still recovering. Honestly, the survey is the only thing I’ve had the energy to crank out, but it’s important to capture your impressions while they’re fresh.
I’ve already received incredible, heart-wrenching emails from both first-time participants and longtime attendees. Every year, people tell me how the retreat content “notches up” because of the speakers and the new touches we add.
Meanwhile, as the retreat organizer, I’ve spend way too much time obsessing over the details that didn’t go perfectly. Let’s just say I will never again try to moonlight as a travel agent. (What made me think I could pull that off on top of everything else? That’s a question for a therapist someday.)
So your notes and heartfelt reflections mean the world to me. They are a balm. I am beyond grateful for the chance to play a role in bringing this community together.
Invoices are coming in a bit hire than expected. If you’d like to help:
The definitive answer to the question of whether a retreat is worthwhile is that I will not miss another OWR. Ever. Thank you for the opportunity to attend. I will definitely burn incense at your altar (get well soon!) and am ebullient with unmitigated joy to have experienced every single session as pure pleasure.
I have had so much to catch up on since returning home and haven't gotten around to posting anything. The weekend is packed too, with funeral memorial service and a family reunion. The retreat was a much needed break for me, and it really got me excited about writing again! As I told anyone who asked during the retreat, I don't know how I ever received my first invite from you to join one of your potluck zoom calls, but I'm glad I didn't pass it up! The Iowa Writers Collaborative on Substack has renewed my interest in writing, and OWSR has gotten me motivated to tackle it! THANK YOU, JULIE!!