The stillness writers’ room
“Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak knits up the o-er wrought heart and bids it break.” Shakespeare, Macbeth
The Stillness Writers Room is a retreat and community of people who wish to put words to their grief. It’s a place for all writers—non-writers, emerging or professional—to work with self-enquiry and storytelling prompts to craft a written work to honour a grief— or other loss—and transform it into beauty.
The Stillness Grief Writing virtual retreat is a 2.5 day writing program. Alumni are then invited to join the SWR community.
The retreat will help you travel deep into the heart your story to develop your narrative and craft it into a piece of work that honours your loss. You may wish to write an essay, memoir, short story, poem, prose, lyrics or journal.
When you register, you’ll receive a collection of inspirational quotes, poems and prose to help you find your voice and decide your retreat project.
A typical program commences on Friday evening (AEST/DT) where you’ll meet your fellow writers and prepare your writing project. Each Saturday and Sunday morning we’ll meet for 90 minutes (via zoom) for a writing and reflection workshop, with self-enquiry and writing prompts. We meet again after lunch for 60-90 minutes, a time to share your process with others reflect on your work followed by more prompts. The time in between is a quiet time for you to reflect, craft your story and write. I’ll send you ideas and strategies that’ll help make this time meaningful and productive.
Upcoming Retreats
"Loved this session. It opened so much up for me personally in processing and connecting to my creative spirit… helping [me] understand what I'm hearing and seeing, from who and where, and... why. "
~Jax NiC. Catalyst Network
22-24 August 2025
Friday 22nd — 6.00pm-7.30pm
Saturday 23 — 9.30am-3.30pm
Sunday24 — 9.30am-3.00pm
All times (AEST/AEDT). Check time in your region here.
Retreat overview
Friday 6.00–7.30pm — Opening Session: Welcome & Writing Foundations
We’ll open with introductions, explore why we write through grief, and move into our first writing prompt. This session helps you settle in, meet the group, and begin your creative project.
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Saturday 9.30am–11.00am — Morning Writing Session: Finding Your Story
Through guided prompts and quiet reflection, you’ll begin to locate your story—its setting, characters, and emotional core. We’ll explore the sensory and embodied language of grief in writing.
Saturday 11.00am–2.30pm — Independent Writing Time
A dedicated space to write at your own pace. You’ll use the morning’s material to deepen your story or explore new threads, with time to pause, rest, or walk as needed.
Saturday 2.30–3.30pm — Afternoon Session: Writing from the Senses
After a check-in and small group discussion, we’ll explore grief through metaphor, physical sensation, and memory, using powerful literary prompts to guide new writing.
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Sunday 9.30–11.00am — Morning Session: Perspective & the Hidden Self
Through character exercises and prompts inspired by Helen Dunmore and Jarahi’s window, we’ll explore voice, point of view, and the parts of our grief that remain unspoken.
Sunday 11.00am–2.00pm — Independent Writing Time
A dedicated space to write at your own pace. You’ll use the morning’s material to deepen your story or explore new threads, with time to pause, rest, or walk as needed.
Sunday 2.00–3.00pm — Closing Session: What We Take With Us
A final writing session and reflection. You’ll complete a closing prompt, share intentions for your ongoing writing, and mark the transition from retreat to return.
FAQs
Download PDF here
Register expression
of interest.
Register an expression of interest in future Stillness Writers’ Retreat. The next retreat is planned for .