Write By The Lake
Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Workshop and Retreat: June 15-19
The 22nd Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Workshop & Retreat is online for 2020!
Join writers from across the country in a professional, friendly, creative atmosphere. UW English credits extra.
The Writer magazine applauds our June retreat
The Writer said: “It’s like two semesters of an MFA program. You work so hard and get so much to take home with you.”
At A Glance
| What: | 5 days of professional instruction for writers of all levels |
|---|---|
| When: | June 15-19, 2020 |
| Where: | Online |
| Who: | Taught by leading educators and writers from UW–Madison and across the country |
| CEUs: | Continuing education units available, including optional graduate credits in English |
Questions?
Contact Christine DeSmet at christine.desmet@wisc.edu or 608-262-3447
Your writing is important!
With the health of our writing community in mind, this year’s retreat has gone online — with NEW bonuses for you.
Four sections are offered ONLINE June 15-19, in easy formats for participation.
- Section 1: From Novice to Novelist, with John DeDakis
- Section 4: Reinventing Fairy Tales & Myths for All Ages & Genres, with Kat Falls
- Section 7: Five Pressure Points That Propel Plot from Page One to Done, with Angela Rydell
- Section 10: Write Meaningful Nonfiction: Turn Personal Experiences, Knowledge, and Journaling into an Inspiring Book, Blogs, or Other Writing, with Julie Tallard Johnson
All other sections have been cancelled this year.
Enroll in any of the four sections and receive bonuses:
- An additional FREE critique of 20 pages from our staff this summer
- A reduced fee for our fall and spring Writers’ Institute conference
Classes will not meet for 3 hours continuously online as promoted elsewhere, but will adjust to shorter periods online and varied activities to make it a fun and rewarding experience. Participate from home without the worry and expense of travel and still meet other writers, be part of a critique group, and learn from experts!
Stay safe and be productive. We promise a valuable experience. Plan to make great progress with your writing.
~ Christine DeSmet, director, christine.desmet@wisc.edu
Our Writers Get Published
Sweet Wisdoms (Shanti Arts Publishing of Maine), a nonfiction self-help book by Angeline Haen of Sobieski, Wis., was released in paperback and e-book versions in February of 2017. Angeline worked on her book at the Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Workshop & Retreat with instructor Julie Tallard Johnson. Here’s the blurb: Not all wisdom is siphoned from bitter life experiences; wisdom has a sweet side. For Angeline Haen, wisdom is revealed through a natural curiosity about the mystical messages in our everyday circumstances: a van full of preschoolers, daily walks with Wally, ponderings over split-pea soup, and every pause of wonder in between. This charming and sublime book is an easy, big-hearted read, and it will inspire its readers to recognize and acknowledge the simple sweet wisdoms in their own life experiences.
Says Angeline on dealing with resistance and worry: “Doubt and fear stalled my creative engine. I fell into a sputtered writing pattern of starts and stops. For me, the way to drive through fear’s heavy fog was to shine the bright light of writer’s love on the road ahead. I participated in the retreat…where writers supported the unfolding maps of other writers.
As a writer, you will inevitably turn onto a few bumpy roads. When you do, find people and places that can smooth over the surface. Keep driving the dream and you will never feel like you can’t get where you want to go and for goodness sakes don’t forget to enjoy the ride!”
Read more Success Stories from Write-by-the-Lake
How it works and what we offer
Choose the one section you’re most interested in. Limit of 15 participants per section unless noted.
There are sections for beginning writers as well as those at publication level. Not sure what to choose? Director Christine DeSmet can help. christine.desmet@wisc.edu or 608-262-3447.
Optional: 1-3 graduate credits in English (offered in a partnership with UW–Madison Dept. of English). Credit fees are extra.
See more on our fees & credits page, including all the great, quality experiences included in your fee!
Ready to get started? View our speakers and sessions here >
Past participants answer the question: What did you like most about Write-by-the-Lake?
“Concentrating on one topic for five days with the same small group with the same wonderful instructor made this the best writing experience ever.”
“It gave me validation for my writing efforts. That came from both the instructor and my fellow workshop attendees.”
“Having concentrated time to learn new skills and insights, to practice them, and to meet others who are also interested in doing the same.”
Meet Your Director
Christine DeSmet teaches writing online and in person. She also coordinates the UW–Madison Critique Services for writers and the Online Badge program and Online Certificate in Fiction and Certificate in Nonfiction programs. Christine is an award-winning author of novels, short stories, screenplays, and plays. She also coaches writers in the UW–Madison Writers’ Institute Pathway to Publication national coaching program. christine.desmet@wisc.edu, 608-262-3447.