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Tending the Story On Island Time
A Writing Retreat

For stories that are beginning, mid-draft, uncertain, or quietly becoming.

This is not a retreat about pushing through.
It’s about listening long enough to hear what the story is asking for.

Tending the Story is for writers who sense their work is alive — but tender.

For stories that don’t want to be optimized, rushed, or forced into shape.

You don’t need a finished idea.
You don’t need a plan.
You don’t need to be “behind” to belong here.

You only need to arrive.

By invitation

Tending the Story is intentionally small and currently offered by invitation only.

This allows us to:

keep the group intimate
protect the quiet of the space
ensure the retreat is a good fit for both you and the work you’re carrying

If you’ve been invited, you’re here for a reason.

What this retreat is for

This retreat welcomes:

stories that are just beginning
stories mid-draft and unsure of themselves
stories that feel quiet, resistant, or tender
writers who are tired of forcing progress

If you’ve ever thought, “I know there’s something here, but I can’t push it,”
you’re in the right place.

What we mean by “tending”

Tending is different from fixing.

Tending means:

creating the right conditions
noticing what’s already alive
trusting timing instead of fighting it

Here, stories are treated the way you’d treat something growing:
with patience, care, and respect.

This retreat is not about extracting pages.

It’s about staying in relationship with the work.

The role of place

The land and water are not a backdrop — they are collaborators.

The shoreline slows the nervous system.
The forest softens urgency.
The tide reminds us that movement comes in cycles.

Much of the work happens simply by being here.

What your days will feel like

This retreat follows a rhythm, not a rigid schedule.

You can expect:

gentle writing invitations

time alone with your work

optional sharing

time outdoors

silence where it’s helpful

ease where it’s needed

Nothing is mandatory except presence.

This Is Different — On Purpose

Most writing retreats are built around urgency.
Word counts. Outcomes. Breakthroughs.

This one isn’t.

Here:

we don’t measure success by pages written
we don’t rush silence or uncertainty
we don’t treat resistance as failure
we don’t extract from the work

Instead:

we listen
we slow down
we trust timing
we tend what’s already alive

This retreat was designed for writers who already know how to work —

and are ready to stop forcing their stories into shape.

Things We Don’t Promise

This matters.

❌ We don’t promise you’ll finish a draft

❌ We don’t promise productivity

❌ We don’t promise breakthroughs

❌ We don’t promise transformation

❌ We don’t promise answers

Stories don’t unfold on command.
And you're not a problem to be solved.

What we do promise

We promise:

space without pressure
a container that honours uncertainty
respect for silence as part of the work
care — for you and for the story you’re carrying

We promise to tend, not extract.

We’ll take care of the details

From the moment you arrive, the details are handled.

Meals, water transportation, and daily logistics are all taken care of —

so you don’t need to plan, cook, or coordinate anything while you’re here.

Your only responsibility is to arrive.

What’s included

Meals & Nourishment

Stocked, self-serve breakfast
Chef-prepared lunches
Chef-prepared sit-down hot dinners
Snacks available throughout the day
Drinking water, juice, tea, and coffee

Food is simple, nourishing, and thoughtfully prepared —

so you can stay present with your work and like-minded writers.

Getting here

Water transportation to and from the island (from Caribou, Nova Scotia)
Pick-up/drop-off at Pictou Island Wharf

Clear arrival details will be shared in advance so travel feels straightforward and unhurried.

On-site comforts & space to wander

Access to six mountain bikes
Wood-fired sauna
Located directly on a private sandy beach
Shared yurts with comfortable, fully dressed beds

Everything is offered as invitation, not requirement.

About off-grid living (and comfort)

This retreat takes place off-grid — but don’t mistake that for less than.

There is:

hot water on demand
a spacious walk-in shower
a well-appointed pavilion for gathering and meals

Off-grid here means intentional, not lacking.
Comfort is part of the tending.

Who this retreat may not be for

This may not be the right retreat if you:

need a strict schedule or daily word counts
want to be pushed or “held accountable”
are seeking a fast, outcome-driven experience

There are wonderful retreats for that.

This one is different on purpose.

A final note

If you’re looking for a retreat that will push you harder, this may not be the one.

If you’re looking for:

space
steadiness
and a deeper relationship with your work

Tending the Story may be exactly what you need.

Tending the Story On Island Time A Writing Retreat