FRIDAY: Writing on the California Zephyr
Meet at the Emeryville Amtrak station by 830am. When the train pulls into the station, climb aboard with us, claim your seat, and quickly meet up in the observation car with laptop, notebook, snack, and an eagerness to launch into your writing that cannot be denied.
While the world slips past the windows, you and your fellow writing passengers knock out word count goals faster than the train can pull through stations. To keep you on track, I use timed focus blocks, sprints, prompts on request, and regular goal-spotting check ins. Throw in a whole lot of encouragement and moral support, and our collective energy and enthusiasm will be the steam that keeps your storytelling engine chugging away.
Before you know it, we’ll be disembarking in Reno, hailing an Uber, and on our way to The Peppermill. Weather permitting and an efficient front desk, you’ll be able to check in, settle in, put your feet up, and turn your brain off for an hour or so before meeting up with us again for dinner and socializing.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY: Writing at The Peppermill Reno
The group writing activities continue across the weekend in the main retreat room, with several 3- and 4-hour blocks you can sign up for (or opt out of) each day and into the night. You choose whether to write alone or with the larger group.
Morning session begins at 900am. You are welcome to bring your coffee and/or breakfast to the retreat suite. The first hour is for Daily Pages, goal setting, and preparing your mind and story for a day of writing. The next three hours are for timed focus blocks, 1:1 private coaching sessions, goal-spotting, writing sprints, and prompts (on request).
Midday break is at 100pm. This is a great time to get lunch, go for a swim, visit the spa, play in the casino, or take a nap. You can even continue writing in your room if you’d like, but the retreat suite will be closed for two hours.
Afternoon session begins at 300pm. These hours are for more solid, independent writing, where you get to immerse yourself in the luxury of creating other worlds for your readers.
Evening break is at 600pm. Go unwind, freshen up, and get ready to gather with the group again for a nice meal together.
Evening meal is at 700pm or thereabouts. Dinner time is flexible; it depends on where we decide to eat and what reservation times are available. We dine together, enjoying each other’s company and sharing a meal.
Proof of Write is immediately after dinner. Go back to your room or the retreat suite, pop into Zoom, and share up to five minutes of the day’s writing with the group. Gather up the positive feedback and give back when the next writer reads their work. When we’re done, the night is yours! Go have fun! Watch TV. Play on your phone. Go to sleep. Play in the casino. You’re an adult; enjoy your nights away from home.
MONDAY: Writing on the California Zephyr
Meet in The Peppermill Reno Hotel Resort lobby by 730am to Uber back to the Reno Amtrak Station in time to catch the train back to the Bay Area. The observation car will probably be occupied for most of the trip, so make plans to pair off or write on your own to accomplish your return-trip goals. Coach seats are comfortable, with footrests and tray tables. I’m available for 1:1 private coaching sessions but you will either want to keep writing or take a break. Weather permitting, we’re back in Emeryville shortly after 400pm.
Write on the Rails for $349
The Write on the Rails price includes:
- group writing activities and discussions
- workshopping the specific challenge(s) your project presents (optional)
- individualized attention / one-on-one coaching
- goal setting, tracking, and accountability to pull you through your project
- time to write or dream on your own
- opportunities to share your work with the group
- opportunities to make deep and meaningful connections with other writers
- the chance to write on a train as it crosses California, climbs snow-covered mountains, and emerges in Nevada
- the chance to do it all again in reverse on the trip back
The Write on the Rails price does NOT include:
- train tickets and/or insurance and/or associated fees
- accommodations and/or associated fees and/or deposits
- food and/or beverages
The nonrefundable but fully transferable fee of $349 is required in full by October 15. I regret that as a solopreneur I am unable to refund any part of the retreat–but if you can’t make it, you may sell or gift your place in the retreat to another writer or use it as credit for coaching or future workshops.