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!!
As a die hard introvert I loved the classroom settings but the social situations were a bit uncomfortable as I knew no one and don't open up easily. The Sunset Cruise was a delight though! I was seated near Steve Semken and a young lady reporter from the Quad Cities. Steve and his friends and another young man made for a fun evening of lively banter and sharing!
I'm still basking in the overwhelming sense of belonging and community you nurture at this event, Julie. Please don't fret about any more details, it was a great success. Thank you for being you.
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.
Perfectly said!
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!!
so glad to hear this, Keith!
As a die hard introvert I loved the classroom settings but the social situations were a bit uncomfortable as I knew no one and don't open up easily. The Sunset Cruise was a delight though! I was seated near Steve Semken and a young lady reporter from the Quad Cities. Steve and his friends and another young man made for a fun evening of lively banter and sharing!
This was an amazing experience 💜 !
The support, transparency and wealth of giving from all who shared their time , wisdom and knowledge was heartwarming.
And Liberating !
The work and the time this took along with the extra activities did not go unnoticed. Thank you so much.
I had a blast! And Bob was a hit lol inside joke
Anyway, I look forward to this again! Barb Winchell
Beyond my wildest dreams, it was. I share about my experience here—
https://open.substack.com/pub/jodigehr/p/my-story-of-the-okoboji-writers-retreat?r=48wa1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I had a blast, Julie! Thank you for inviting me to come up this year.
So glad you now know what this magical thing is all about~
I'm still basking in the overwhelming sense of belonging and community you nurture at this event, Julie. Please don't fret about any more details, it was a great success. Thank you for being you.