Writing Retreat
“Closer”
Even the anticipation of this shared experience felt vivid. Like stepping into the sea barefoot for the first time that summer. Like holding someone’s gaze a little longer than usual. Like breathing in the overwhelming scent of cherry trees in full bloom. Like saying “yes” — and giving your heart.
On August 4, at the French estate Moulin de Combe on the banks of the Vienne, 12 people came together. They traveled from all over the world — some with five layovers across three countries (I still can’t quite comprehend it). What an honor.
The joy of writing together. Supportive, strengthening feedback. Shared dinners. Writing rituals. Yoga. Time alone and time together — and much more I won’t describe, so as not to spoil the experience for future participants.
The level of acceptance and support felt almost like the salt density of the Dead Sea. The exercises and sessions were designed to bring us gradually closer — to each other, to the place, and to our creative intentions.
I didn’t expect so many tears — but they kept coming, and no one seemed to mind. They gave way to laughter and deep creative work.
Progress. It was only a handful of days. And yet the right environment, personal consultations, feedback, and deep focus create quiet revolutions. Every single participant made significant progress in their book.
Conversations. Before the retreat, Katya Gorges (my partner in this project) and I joked that we should leave them at least some space without literature. There were already creative touches everywhere — books, notebooks, an Underwood typewriter, even haiku in the spa instructions. But what do you think? Every time I passed by a casual conversation or sat down for a meal, I heard them talking about texts. Texts, texts, texts. Texts! It felt like we lived a whole month — compressed into a single week — inside a truly creative world.
- E. HoarauThe retreat through the eyes of participants
It’s difficult to capture everything that happened to the participants during the retreat in a single video. Even if the cameras had been rolling 24/7, they still wouldn’t have caught the birth of new book ideas, the return of light to people’s eyes, the warmth of embraces, or that deep feeling spreading through the body: I am seen here. I am safe here. Still, we tried to capture at least a glimpse of it. To fully immerse yourself in this experience, you have to come to the retreat itself. But this video might let you step ankle-deep into the refreshing waters of our previous Gathering.
Daily rhythm of the writing retreat
though some had already woken up earlier — to run, wander the Limousin hills, and take notes.
for connection, for learning to toss ideas into the air without fear, for sharpening observation and creativity, for confidence, for feedback, for boldness and for discovering new tools in a playful way.
French chef Natasha, the freshest local ingredients, a table styled like Pinterest and the best conversations.
slow, aesthetic — and the conversations about texts, books, literature and life continue.
a little different each day, yet always with a kind of playful, almost wild vitality — voices growing stronger, a shared roar building day by day, shavasana with singing, shavasana with a gong, laughter, tears.
in a room or outdoors, in a spacious hall or under an umbrella, in the spa or in a Moroccan corner, on a soft sofa or on the grass, alone or together.
reading your texts, giving and receiving feedback, a shared field of attention, a deeply kind and generous gaze toward one another, marveling at each other’s talent — and allowing your own to emerge. At first it’s scary. Then it’s unstoppable. And suddenly even the chef is calling you in, because…
jacuzzi and hammam, walks, runs, conversations, tea — or, for some, silence, solitude, time to process the day and write from what has surfaced.
Sleep in the airy rooms of the Mill. Waking up to write down a character — or late-night conversations like in a summer camp… only better.
though some had already woken up earlier — to run, wander the Limousin hills, and take notes.
a little different each day, yet always with a kind of playful, almost wild vitality — voices growing stronger, a shared roar building day by day, shavasana with singing, shavasana with a gong, laughter, tears.
for connection, for learning to toss ideas into the air without fear, for sharpening observation and creativity, for confidence, for feedback, for boldness and for discovering new tools in a playful way.
in a room or outdoors, in a spacious hall or under an umbrella, in the spa or in a Moroccan corner, on a soft sofa or on the grass, alone or together.
French chef Natasha, the freshest local ingredients, a table styled like Pinterest and the best conversations.
reading your texts, giving and receiving feedback, a shared field of attention, a deeply kind and generous gaze toward one another, marveling at each other’s talent — and allowing your own to emerge. At first it’s scary. Then it’s unstoppable. And suddenly even the chef is calling you in, because…
slow, aesthetic — and the conversations about texts, books, literature and life continue.
jacuzzi and hammam, walks, runs, conversations, tea — or, for some, silence, solitude, time to process the day and write from what has surfaced.
Sleep in the airy rooms of the Mill. Waking up to write down a character — or late-night conversations like in a summer camp… only better.
Testimonials
Ekaterina, I want to send my husband and children to Europe this summer; I'm planning a summer camp for the kids. Are there any dates for the new retreat yet?
If this calls you — come.
You can take part in a retreat that Ekaterina co-creates with her partner — from selecting a beautiful, inspiring location to the final farewell embraces between people who have become close. By joining the waiting list, you’ll be among the first to receive full details about upcoming retreats, including dates, pricing, and format.
