Rainforest Writing Retreat

This weekend, I attended the Rainforest Writing Retreat at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat in the Gold Coast Hinterland. I was very keen for this retreat as it was full of amazing workshops about ghost stories, writing productivity, and short stories. Not to mention the amazing setting of O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat, abundant with rainforest walks and breathtaking views. This retreat could not have come at a better time either and I really enjoyed my time away from reality to connect with my creativity again.

Read on to learn more about the workshops and my amazing weekend.

Blurb Writing Workshop with Charmaine Clancy

Charmaine Clancy is an author, educator, and one of the organisers of the Rainforest Writing Retreat. In this workshop, she took us through the skills required to create a gripping blurb such as writing interesting character descriptions, identifying main conflicts, and identifying key words to reach our target audience. 

Ghost Stories with Jack Sim

Author and historian Jack Sim, who runs Brisbane Ghost Tours, conducted a wonderful workshop on how to write effective ghost stories in preparation for this year's Rainforest Writing Retreat's anthology - Ghost Stories! I was really looking forward to this workshop as I really like a good ghost story, but it definitely exceeded my expectations. I learned a lot as ghost stories are not like other forms of fiction. As often, they are not even fiction! Jack was an amazing presenter as he entertained us with various ghost stories and helped us find inspiration for our own. Next time I have time in Brisbane, I'll definitely be taking one of his ghost tours of Boggo Road Jail.

Writing Masterclass with Anna Campbell

The fact that best-selling regency romance author Anna Campbell was presenting at this retreat was my main reason for attending. And her workshop did not disappoint. Anna talked to us about 'Writing through Fear' and gave us the tools to overcome any fear or anxieties about our work and to write anyway! This was a very enlightening workshop as I was able to identify what has been holding me back these past months and hopefully I will be more productive in the future. I left the workshop very motivated anyway and was able to get to work on my current work later that afternoon. After escaping upstairs for a relaxing massage, of course.

The Short Story with Meg Vann

In preparation for writing a ghost story for the upcoming anthology, crime writer Meg Vann presented a wonderful workshop about story structure to help us create a story to contribute to this year's anthology. And I must say, I have a few ideas for a ghost story, which I'm pleased to say will most likely be the second of my Zvurian Historicals.

Rainforest Walks

Of course, with my love of bushwalks and exercise, I did a number of the walks around O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat.

The Treetop Walk was lovely along the suspended bridge through the trees. The view from climbing up to the observation deck was breathtaking. I also took the trek through the rainforest to Morans Falls, where I was able to take in this spectacular view of the valley. I also wandered down to the wishing tree where I made a writing specific wish. Let's see if it comes true ...

Networking

The best thing about writing gatherings is always the friends you catch up with and new people you get to meet. The workshop and chatting with Anna Campbell was a delight, as expected, as was running into fellow RWA member Joanne Austen Brown, whose books will hopefully be available soon! I also cherish the new friends I met, up-and-coming paranormal romance writer H.M. Hodgson and chilling crime writer Lea Scott. I had a great weekend with you all and can't wait to see some of you again at either Romance Writers of Australia's Conference or GenreCon!