This writing retreat is to help you design a writing practice that reflects how you think, how you best work, how you create, and honours your natural rhythms. It’s not a foolproof method, one-size-fits-all. It’s about reflection, honesty, space, time, nature, and you.
Does this sound familiar?
You have the opening chapter rewritten seven times, a folder full of abandoned drafts that each felt urgent, then suddenly didn't. You have no shortage of ideas; in fact, your brain generates new ideas constantly, so many that you feel overwhelmed about what to do with them, if you can even find them. You have days when the words pour out, and weeks when sitting at the desk feels like a punishment. Your writing routine feels random and inconsistent. What used to feel energising is now exhausting because finishing feels like one more item on your to-do list.
Then this retreat is for you!
For one week in southern Spain, eight writers and two writing guides will come together to rethink their relationship with their craft, not to write faster or better, but to discover (or re-discover) how to write in a way that actually feels compatible with how your mind works and where you’re at in your life. We'll explore what a sustainable practice looks like when it's built around your rhythms: maybe that’s high-focus sprints, wandering days, the need for solitude and recovery, and the curiosity that pulls you off track but might actually be part of the process.
Early-bird prices start today and run until June 7, 2026
There are eight places — intimate enough that everyone gets real attention and spacious enough that you'll never feel crowded. Early-bird pricing is available from May 7th to June 7th, and room preferences are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
If something on this page made you feel seen, join us! We are building a supportive community of writers who want to explore writing that makes them feel good.
What's included
Optional add-ons
Getting there
The retreat is located two hours from Málaga airport in the Alpujarra, Andalucia region. You will stay in a 400-year-old, 10-bedroom house, with sunny terraces and spectacular views. The house is stylish, comfortable, and the perfect place to gather and write. The surrounding nature is lovely for walks or just a wander.
We will organise one scheduled group transfer from, and back to the airport, included in the registration price. Details are shared upon registration. If you'd like to arrive early or stay on after the retreat to explore the region, Lisa can help you arrange accommodation and travel logistics. Just ask!
Take a long, slow breath. And exhale.
Tell me about the week
Mornings open gently — with tai chi (optional) to ease into the day before the mind gets busy. A delicious nourishing breakfast. From 10-12 each morning, we gather for guided discussions on building a practice that moves around your own obstacles and patterns, the full arc of the creative process (the dopamine phase, the messy draft, recovery, editing, sharing), and what it means to write sustainably over the long term. These aren't lectures. They're conversations.
Afternoons are for writing. Unstructured, unhurried time to focus, to rest, to create, as you wish, at your own pace.
Evenings are for coming together. Shared meals, good wine, and the kind of exchange that only happens when writers are in each other’s company. Some evenings we'll gather around the table to share work or reflections. One evening takes us out to explore the culture and flavors of southern Spain.
Woven throughout the week: long walks in nature, open time for wandering and rest, and one private coaching session with Kirsten or Lisa — a dedicated hour to look at your own practice, your blocks, and your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this retreat for? This retreat is for writers at any stage — whether you're working on your first book or your fifth. It’s not necessary to have a work in progress; - you can also be writing short stories, personal essays, or memoir. What matters isn't where you are in your writing journey, but a willingness to look honestly at how your writing practice, what you would like it to be and feel like, and an openness to trying something different. If you've ever felt like conventional writing advice just doesn't stick for you, you'll fit right in.
Do I need to be working on a specific project to attend? No. Some participants will come with a manuscript in progress; others will come with an idea they haven't started yet, or simply a desire to begin or reconnect with their writing. All of that is welcome. The week is as much about building the conditions for writing as it is about the writing itself.
How much writing will we actually do? Each afternoon is set aside for your own writing, and you're free to use that time however serves you best — drafting, planning, resting, staring at the ceiling. There are no output expectations. This is your time to experiment with what working in your own rhythm actually feels like.
What are the accommodation arrangements? All rooms are private. A small number of rooms share a bathroom between two guests. If you have a preference, we recommend booking early — room allocation is on a first-come, first-served basis.
What's the food like? All meals are included throughout the week, from breakfast to dinner. We eat together — long, unhurried meals that are very much part of the experience. Please let us know about any dietary requirements when you register and we'll make sure you're taken care of.
How do I get there? The retreat is located approximately two hours from Málaga airport. We will organize one scheduled group transfer (included in the price) — details will be shared upon registration. If you'd like to arrive early or stay on after the retreat to explore the region, Lisa can help you arrange accommodation and travel logistics.
What is the 1:1 coaching session? Every participant receives one private coaching session with either Lisa or Kirsten, during the week. This is a dedicated hour to look at your specific writing practice — your patterns, your blocks, your goals — and map out a way forward that actually fits you. Additional sessions can be booked as an optional add-on.
Is this retreat suitable for beginners? Yes. We welcome writers at all levels. The focus of the week is on building a sustainable writing practice, which is just as relevant if you're just starting out as it is if you've been writing for years.
What if I'm not sure it's right for me? Feel free to reach out before registering — we're happy to answer any questions and help you figure out if this is the right fit. You can contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]
Why only eight people? Intentionally. A small group means real conversations, genuine attention, and the kind of ease that lets people actually relax and open up. It also means spots go quickly — which is why we encourage you to register during the early-bird period if you're feeling called to join us.
Still here? That's usually a sign. Come write with us!
Claim your early-bird spot- Take me to the Registration Page
Kirsten Donaghey, author of A Novel Approach: Strategies for ADHD Writers—will be one of your guides at this transformative writing retreat experience. As a certified ADHD coach, writing coach, and manuscript editor, Kirsten brings over 15 years of experience helping writers move from stuck back to inspired.
Her journey began when she moved from Toronto to Vienna and started building a vibrant, supportive community for writers through workshops, open mic nights, retreats, and events with published authors. Since then, she has worked with writers at every stage—whether just starting out, or deep (and maybe overwhelmed) into a manuscript— create a writing practice that is designed to fit their life, energy, and all their unique quirks.
Part of the writing process might happen in solitude, but for many of us, staying connected to our work is so much easier when we don't feel like we’re doing it alone. If you’ve ever struggled to stay focused, second-guessed your ideas, felt overwhelmed by too many ideas, tried to harnass motivation, or found your momentum coming in bursts rather than steady streams, the right community and practice can make all the difference. Being surrounded by others who get it releases our self doubt.
This retreat is designed to give you space to write, yes, but also connection, practical discussions, encouragement, 1:1 coaching sessions, and a safe place to find your creative energy and momentum again.
Lisa Carter believes that the most transformative stories—and the most sustainable writing practices—begin when we trust our own path. With over twenty years of experience in the literary world, Lisa has navigated her way from blank page to major publications. Since her first book with HarperCollins in 2003, she has published seven others (most with "Big Five" houses) and had her work recognized by the International Dublin Literary Award and the Gulf Coast Prize.
As an award-winning literary translator and editor, Lisa has spent two decades deep in the mechanics of language and story. Her translations and essays have appeared in anthologies and prestigious journals like Granta and A Public Space, while her editorial eye has guided numerous authors across genres from memoir to literary fiction to bring their book to life.
Lisa knows that writing isn’t about following a rigid set of rules; it’s about discovery. As a book coach and a Tai Chi instructor, she understands that a compassionate, embodied approach—one that honors all of who we are–is the only path to expressing ourselves fully. She is dedicated to helping writers move past industry “shoulds” to create a practice that is deeply personal and always curious.
In her role as a professional Travel Advisor, Lisa handles the logistics of the retreat with the same meticulous care she brings to a manuscript. Her goal is to create a seamless, stress-free experience so you can focus entirely on the journey. These retreats are designed to take you beyond the beautiful European locale and into a community of like-minded souls where lasting transformation becomes possible.