Annual Tuscan Memoir Retreat
The Art & Craft of Purposeful Memoir: Annual Tuscan Memoir Retreat
Let go of the demands of everyday life and join a small group of contemplative writers at a beautiful private villa in the hills of Tuscany.
Whether you are in the midst of writing your memoir, or just curious about using contemplative writing to explore key moments in your life story, this warm and welcoming workshop will uplift your spirits and stimulate your creativity in good company.
Autumn in Tuscany is a feast for all the senses, as the golden light illuminates the vineyards and olive groves, and the fall harvest begins.
Whether we are writing together, relaxing by the pool, enjoying walks to the charming local village or longer excursions to neighboring towns and sights, each day will unfold with the ease and grace common to all Il Chiostro workshops.
At the villa, our private chef will delight our palates with outstanding Italian cuisine, every meal lovingly prepared with fresh local produce and meats, accompanied by delicious Tuscan wines.
Every day, we’ll take an excursion to a different charming town or local attraction to find a special lunch.
In fact, because food is such an integral part of the Tuscan retreat experience, we’ll be taking a page from the Proustian playbook, exploring how sensuous food memories can stimulate our memoir writing in new, unexpected ways.
Each day will unfold in a perfect balance of writing, exploring and sharing in good company….
Let the beautiful light of Tuscany inspire your writing!
Great writing doesn’t come from spending long days hunched over your screen; it comes when you are able to relax and open the doors to your creative imagination wide.
That’s why this retreat is not just about writing memoir, it’s also about living fully in the moment!
Whether you’re an emerging or an established writer, this magical Tuscan retreat will throw open the doors to your sense of wellbeing and delight, allowing you to tap deeply into your own imaginative well.
Under Jennifer’s expert guidance, you will:
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Free yourself from schedules and screens at our private villa, awakening your senses as you delight in the beauty and tranquility of the Tuscan countryside;
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Deepen your understanding of your own life story as you take yourself down less traveled memory byways to discover your purpose—why you are drawn to sharing your life story, and for whom;
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Generate new writing every day, with tantalizing writing prompts, astute craft guidance, and carefully facilitated peer sharing circles;
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Make lasting new friends and writing comrades;
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Enjoy daily excursions that will leave you inspired, refreshed, and ready to write anew;
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Spend an optional hour in a private consultation with Jennifer, taking a deep dive into your own writing projects and plans.
The Art and Craft of Purposeful Memoir is all-inclusive and includes:
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Six nights’ accommodation at a beautiful private villa
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Private chef preparing outstanding breakfasts and dinners; dietary restrictions accommodated, of course;
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Five morning writing workshops with plenty of tips, laughter, and inspiration;
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Afternoon excursions and/or free time to write, relax and explore on your own;
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Optional one-on-one coaching session with Jennifer;
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A lifechanging experience enjoying creative camaraderie in a small Tuscan village with new writer friends.
If you or your writing group would like to join, please get in touch!
Let go of those endless to-do lists for a change!
All you have to do is get yourself to Florence, where you’ll be greeted and whisked away into the beautiful Tuscan countryside for a week of deep connection with yourself and your writing, lovingly guided by Jennifer.
Are you ready? Andiamo!
Jennifer, I love your method of having people write, and how you give feedback and conduct your workshops. You have a lot of experience and know what you are doing, and it shows. One feels safe, in good hands. You have a settled, thoughtful manner which really helps, especially in such a stimulating, beautiful environment. The intimate atmosphere was well-suited to writing and sharing, and the balance of writing and exploring the countryside was right. San Fedele was lovely, the food was great, and our Il Chiostro hosts were so welcoming. The excursions were wonderful!
— IG, 2023
Tuscany certainly didn’t disappoint! I felt so well taken care of by our wonderful Il Chiostro hosts. They went beyond any care I have ever felt in this kind of situation. I will forever remember them. Jennifer, your prompts opened some doors for me which I appreciate. Writing at San Fedele was magnificent, and writing in different places was a plus. I hold such amazing memories from our time with each other—thank you!
— MK, 2023
All the factors came together for a magical experience–a stunning landscape, a lovingly restored historic site (with all the modern amenities), five-star meals, outstanding hosts, and a great teacher. I was coaxed into writing I had always been reluctant to try; Jennifer has a gift for drawing out people’s writing, and also for helping diverse individuals meld into a cohesive group by week’s end. But the writing was only half the experience. We got a wonderful dose of the local communities with daily excursions to nearby towns and sites of interest. Truly memorable!
–AK, 2024
