Writing Course
You have to write the book that wants to be written
- Madeleine L'Engle
Book Writing Retreats are suitable for:
Exploring life story writing & creating a foundation to build a memoir
People wanting to explore narrative therapy and neuroplasticity
Gaining insights and techniques Into writing a childhood memoir
Incorporating archetypes into life writing as a more imaginative approach to self-understanding and making one’s writing richer
Those wanting to work through the integrity versus despair stage Erik Erikson's psychosocial development
Having the support of a writing coach who can provide guidance with structure and proofreading
People who relish a quiet writing space that is solely their own
Writing Retreats
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The Surrounds
Work inside or take time outside in the elements to soak in birdsong and nature
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The Space
A tranquil, restful space with bushland views and access to starry skies
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Local Walks
Chase waterfalls after dark on a local spectacular floodlit night walk in Katoomba
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Local Waterfalls
Our retreat centre is within walking distance of healing Mini Ha Ha waterfall
Writers Retreats
Testimonials
I have enjoyed and received so much from being in your life writing classes. These are some of the areas where I felt healing and validation occur with the help of you and your course: Grandmother/Mother/Daughter relationships, Son relationship Father/daughter relationship, Sisters’ relationship, Lovers and husbands, Self-shame, depression and spirituality, Deeper relationship with Community, Expressing the power in being vulnerable, Eliciting writing that’s creative and skilful, Discovery of family connections, The pleasure of writing Appreciation and understanding what age is for. Big thanks!
- Eve Grzybowski, memoir author
The structure of the course is beautifully architected. An example for many to follow. Very rich insight and wonderful notes/handouts.
- Eddie Furlong
I loved this course! I loved that you shared your personal journey & I loved all the info about the lives of others. It was all really inspiring & interesting. This was the best workshop I’ve ever been to. So glad I came. Thank you Marcus!
- Jo
It gave me wings. It gave me belief. It made me think. It helped me to understand myself & how life has shaped me. I felt like I was given the pegs to guide me through this vast & complex topic. Thank you for being the perfect facilitator.
- Ingrid
Very pleased that I made the effort to come to the course. You provided me with so much information and gentle guidance, allowing and trusting me to find my own voice & stories. I enjoyed it all. A wonderful course. Highly recommended & well delivered. Thank you for all the time & care you put into preparing & delivering it.
- Sarah
A lovely deep-dive into ourselves and each other - our commonality - our individual magic. - Anon
Writers Retreat NSW
Program Outline
Exploring Adolescence
Day One
Morning Session 9:30am - 12:30pm
An introduction to life writing and understanding life passages through development psychology and archetypal psychology.
Lunch 12:30pm
Afternoon Session 1:00pm - 4:00pm
You will revisit your adolescence with readings and writing exercises culminating in you producing a piece which we will proofread and discuss.
Waterfall Walk (Optional) 4:00 - 6:00pm
Should the weather and your energy levels be accomodating, you can use this time to take in a nearby bushwalk to our local waterfall.
Alternatively, you might indulge in some art activities or enjoy one of the more physical activities we host (mountain biking / stand up paddleboarding).
Dinner 6:30 - 7:30pm
Enjoy a home cooked, organic meal or travel out to try one of Katoomba’s local dining facilities.
Evening (Optional) 7:30pm onwards
There are a range of optional evening activities for you to enjoy, such as listening to or reading poetry, life stories, or enjoying a thought-provoking film or inspiring documentary. Other options include self-guided meditation and yoga.
Day Two
Breakfast 8:30am
Enjoy a homemade breakfast, tea or coffee on the verandah whilst the kookaburras and other local birds sing.
Morning Sessions 9:30am - 12:30pm
You will look at the archetype associated with adolescence, that of the Orphan. Readings and writing exercises on this theme will help you see how the archetypal development has played out in your own life. You will weave these threads together to produce a writing piece.
Lunch 12:30pm
Afternoon Sessions 1:30pm - 4:00pm
We will proofread and discuss the writing piece you’ve written. For those wanting to produce a memoir we will look at the core themes of your life story and how your writing pieces can be best structured.
Cost: $590 for 2 day writing retreat. $50 off for a weekday program.
$850 for a 3 day, deeper dive.
Inclusions: Our retreats include accommodation, meals, workbooks, counselling and activities.
Optional session of bibliotherapy. Learn more about our bibliotherapy service.
Location: Katoomba, Blue Mountains NSW.
Your Facilitator
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Marcus Dabb had been always drawn to personal development before having a turning point when he came across the notion of the hero’s journey.
After reading Jim Styne’s book about it, Heroes: A Guide to Realising Your Dreams, he recognised that working as a public servant for the taxation office was probably not living out his highest potential.
His higher education in teaching was complemented by his time working in employment services, recruitment, outdoor education and the TAFE always with a view to helping people discover and develop more authentic vocational paths.
Finding the courage to walk an alternative career path - one fraught with self-doubt and other obstacles - began a journey that led to his current focuses, A Different Drummer - Career Counselling, Polaris - Soul Blueprints & and Writes of Passage Retreats - Personal Development Retreats.
Having worked closely with many people to help them find their sense of vocational fit and career bliss.
After running a wide variety of workshops in Australia and overseas he launched his retreat initiative in the belief that contemplation, nature, carefully curated ideas and guidance from someone who has been through the ordeals of the hero’s journey, is the ideal means for people to look at life with greater possibility and unearth their own dormant potentiality.
Writing has been an integral part of his life. After studying creative writing at university and moving into social work, he employed writing activities with clients to help them find empowerment.
In addition to teaching life writing to groups and individuals, he has published a book which incorporates life writing called, The Different Drummer: Follow your own beat to find enlivening work and lead an extraordinary life.
Revisiting Adolescence - Finding Our Identity
Mainstream psychology regards the task of adolescence as that of forming our identity and growing beyond the family, peer and cultural conditioning we each receive. This program helps you recognise if healthy boundaries were formed or whether development stunting issues such as golden child syndrome, other schemas or maladaptive behaviours took shape.
“I set out to bring down stars from the sky and then, for fear of ridicule, I stop and pick little flowers of eloquence.”
- Edmond Rostand
The Orphaning
Carl Jung spoke of the Orphan complex, where we must navigate the experience of feeling misunderstood and different from our family and peers. This severing and going inwards is a necessary developmental stage. Remaining in the naivety of childhood helps us not. Integrating this passage involves not overstaying in the opposite behaviour where we become overly distrustful.
Loneliness is the absence of the other. Aloneness is the presence of oneself
- Osho
Both indigenous cultures and ancient wisdom recognised that life is designed to break a person open, just as a seed must be broken in order to germinate. The modern rise of helicopter and pressure cooker parenting has gone the other extreme of being overly protective.
This writing program helps you to sift through your teen years to recall the woundings you experienced and assists you in locating the gifts, or treasure that this period of life offered.
If you fight for your dignity, you risk losing the love you need from them [parents] to develop. If you don’t fight back, you lose your self-respect and your development is stifled
- Jeff Brown
Blue Mountains Retreats
“Great things are done when people and mountains meet;
this is not done by jostling in the street.”
- William Blake
Take in a local stargazing tour at night
Rejuvenate in the Blue Mountains natural wonders
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