Embodied Memoir - With You as the Main Character
THURSDAY - FRIDAY MEMOIR ACTIVITiES
On Thursday afternoon, we convene at the Lakehouse, our home base at the Lakedale Resort and meet our workshop instructors. Arrive 3-4. We'll enjoy exploring the lakeside space, go on a walk or participate in restorative yoga, check-in to our rooms (or tents) at 4 and meet our Retreat Leaders.
Join us for tea at 4:30pm at the Lakehouse and learn about the Writer in Residence Program on the Washington State Ferry that has been pioneered by both of our guest authors, Iris Graville and Debra Lee Babcock.
You are invited to join us for dinner across the road at the acclaimed Duck Soup Inn for farm to table fare. See menu and make your reservation online with Duck Soup directly. See accomodation options below.
Friday Morning, we convene at the Lakehouse to begin our Memoir workshop.
Writing memoir is your opportunity to capture your life—or more likely a part of your life—on the page. In this workshop, we’ll explore craft techniques such as characterization, setting, scene, dialogue, and reflection to make you—your memoir’s main character—come alive on the page.
The class will include discussion of sample writings, in-class writing exercises and prompts, and body-centered techniques to assist in your investigation of yourself as a character. You’ll leave with a toolbox of resources to help you on this writing journey.
Picnic lunch provided.
Friday evening, you are invited to the poetry slam at the Waterworks Gallery to enjoy fellow Eye of the Whale nature writer's works from thier first workshop day. Dinner on your own in town. There will also be an art opening at Luminous Gallery to enjoy.
SATURDAY MEMOIR ACTIVITIES
Saturday, we join the Deep Seeing and Writing group for morning field trip to Lime Kiln State Park with its historic lighthouse, and the Land Bank's madrona grove preserve. This is an opportunity to practice writing of place and stengthening the presence of nature observations in your writing. Author Robert Dash and poet Abigail Morgan Prout lead the workshop. Picnic tables available for writing. Picnic lunch provided.
Saturday afternoon, we return to Lakedale and find a comfortable place to write in reflection of the retreat's discoveries. Work on your memoir. Or you are welcome to enjoy one of the other ala carte afternoon field trips offered. In the afternoon we can share readings of island-inspired reflections and developments in our approach to memoir.
Saturday evening you are invited to attend the Eye of the Whale Splash! This dinner, creative showcase, music, and performance art event welcomes all Eye of the Whale participants and family members who may be traveling with you. 6-9pm in Friday Harbor. See our Travel section for the dinner ticket reservations.
Accommodations
The Memoir Writers group has Lakedale Resort as their home base. Accomodations range from luxurious lodge and rustic cabin spaces, to fun glamping tents, and campground spaces. Three nights lodging required. (Rooms/sites available for other writer tracks too. Islanders can enroll w out accomodations.)
IRIS GRAVILLE
Iris Graville is the author of four nonfiction books: the memoir Hiking Naked; the essay collection, Writer in a Life Vest; and two collections of profiles, Hands at Work and BOUNTY. She lives on Lopez Island, WA where she writes, edits, teaches, and roams the beaches. irisgraville.com
DEBRA LEE BABCOCK
Debra Lee Babcock paints, writes and teaches Intentional Creativity from her studio, Art & Word, on Orcas Island. As a doctor of chiropractic and yoga teacher, she teaches The Yoga of Writing workshops, and was the 2024 WA State Inter-island Ferry Writer-in-Residence. She is presently working on her first memoir. debraleebabcock.com