If you’re a writer with a half-finished draft (or a great idea that’s still in your head) who is ready for some quiet time to actually write, then join us for this cozy, lakeside retreat, where you’ll come away with fresh focus, real progress, and a creative spark that sticks.

as you arrive at the private lakeside cottage for this Ontario writing retreat.

The air smells of pine and lake water, and the only sounds are birdsong and the soft hush of waves against the shore.

For the next three days, you won’t have to make a single meal. No dishes. No juggling. No one asking where the scissors are.

Just time—precious, uninterrupted time—with your writing.

You share the space with five other writers who understand what it feels like to have a story you care about and a life that keeps pulling you away from it.

There’s gentle structure, time to share if you want to, and total permission to retreat inward when you need it.

Whether you’re curled up in the sunroom, perched on a dock with your laptop, or writing longhand near the bird feeders, the space is yours.

Mornings are quiet and slow. A hot breakfast appears like magic. You listen to loons calling across the lake, and watch the herons stalk the shallows as you sip coffee or journal.

Birds flit around the feeders. Swans drift by. You feel your nervous system settling. The fog clears. You remember why this story matters. Why you started.

In the afternoons, you write, walk, nap, or sweat it out in the lakeside sauna.

You can fish off the dock, paddle gently across the water, or just stare into the amber glow of the trees.

Campfires light up the evenings, and stars spill across the sky.

You might share your work, or just sit with it, letting the flame grow steady again.

There is laughter, camaraderie, and deep listening...

You leave with pages written, clarity renewed, momentum restored, and the steady awareness that your writing life is still alive—not a fantasy or an indulgence but part of who you are.

And now, it has space to grow.

A purpose-driven writer—often juggling caregiving, career, or both—who is committed to your creative work but craving focused time, structure, and encouragement to move it forward?

Overwhelmed, stretched thin, and frustrated by the lack of uninterrupted time to write. Your draft—or dream—keeps getting pushed aside. You may feel self-doubt creeping in, wondering if you have what it takes to finish (or even start) what you know matters deeply.

Ready for a focused window of time to finally give your writing the attention it deserves. You want to experience creative momentum, a boost in confidence, and the quiet reassurance that you are not alone in your struggle—or your passion.

You are in the write right place!

Over these three days, you will gain:

• Renewed clarity and direction for your writing project

• Solid progress made in a calm, distraction-free environment

• A deep sense of validation, focus, and connection to your creative self

• The camaraderie of other writers who Get It!

• Time away from the duties of every day life to truly focus on what matters to you!

This lovely cottage is in South Muskoka within Ontario's Cottage Country, just two hours north of Toronto—or 2.5 hours south of North Bay and Sudbury. It is on Gloucester Pool, a lake on the Trent-Severn Waterway, only one lock in from magical Georgian Bay.

During the retreat you will enjoy:

• Multiple desks and cozy nooks for writing both inside and out, with reliable WiFi if you need to stay connected or look something up mid-draft

• Campfires on the rocks as well as in a pot bellied stove under a covered porch and the indoor gas fireplace

• Two large decks and two docks

• Two paddle boards and a kayak for adventuring out on the water

• A private road to take a walk/run under the autumn canopy

• A woodfired sauna to soothe your sore writing/paddling/walking muscles

• Cozy private bedrooms

• Shared 2 and 3 piece bathrooms

• Birdwatching! Loons, trumpeter swans, herons, woodpeckers, and assorted song birds

• A special gift to nourish the writer in you!

This retreat is designed to give you the focused time, supportive structure, and creative encouragement you’ve been craving—so you can reconnect with your writing, make meaningful progress, and return home renewed.

✅ What’s Included

• Three nights’ accommodation in a warm, welcoming lakeside cottage in Ontario’s beautiful cottage country, surrounded by the vibrant colours of early autumn (all private rooms)

• All meals and snacks, lovingly prepared and seasonally inspired—think hot soups, hearty breakfasts, fresh-baked treats, and mugs of something warm by the fire

• Structured daily writing time with built-in spaciousness to focus deeply on your project, free from everyday distractions

• Gentle guidance and encouragement through optional group writing sessions, reflective prompts, and conversations about process

• Access to the cottage’s autumn-ready amenities, including:

  • Paddle boards and a kayak for calm paddles on a quiet lake

  • Two docks for reflection, journaling, or doing nothing at all

  • Indoor fireplace and two outdoor fire areas—gather with fellow writers or enjoy solitary warmth and silence

  • A wood-fired sauna, the perfect antidote to chilly mornings and full days

• A small, like-minded community of no more than five writers who understand the challenge of juggling creative work with caregiving, career, and life

• Time and space just for you, to reconnect with your creative voice and give your writing the attention it deserves

• A special gift

🚫 What’s Not Included

• Transportation to and from the retreat location

• Writing materials (please bring your notebooks, laptops, chargers, and anything else you need to work)

• Alcohol (feel free to bring your own, if desired)

• The responsibilities of daily life (leave the meal making, the laundry, and the to-do list behind—just bring yourself)

• You’re a purpose-driven writer—often juggling caregiving, career, or both—who longs for focused, uninterrupted time to dive into your work

• You’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or creatively blocked, and want a reset in a calm, beautiful place

• You’ve been putting your draft—or your dream—on the back burner, but know it matters deeply

• You want gentle structure, support, and encouragement to help move your writing forward

• You’re craving quiet, connection, and creative momentum

• You’d value conversations with other writers who also crave creative time

• You’re open to the comforts of cottage life in early October—fires inside and out, crisp mornings, maybe a paddle or a sauna session after writing

• You appreciate community but don’t need constant socializing—you’re just as happy curled up in a corner with your notebook as you are chatting around the fire

• You’re ready to step away from daily responsibilities and reclaim your time, voice, and creative self

• You’re looking for a highly structured workshop with formal critiques, assignments, or lectures

• You thrive best in large, high-energy group settings

• You’re not quite comfortable in a small, intimate group setting, where quiet time and personal space are balanced with shared meals and conversation

• You feel uneasy in natural and quiet environments—being in the woods, near the water, and inside silence

• You’re seeking a luxury experience with spa treatments, gourmet dining, or hotel-level amenities

• You’re in a season where stepping away from daily responsibilities—even briefly—feels more stressful than nourishing

• You’re looking for a retreat that’s focused strictly on technical skill-building or publishing strategy rather than reflection and creative process

Although neurotypical, Anita is part of a vibrant neurodiverse family, a trait shared by at least one of the family pets.

Her writing explores the intersection of neurodiversity and mental health, intergenerational trauma and breaking cycles. She has been offering writing workshops, facilitating groups, and running retreats for the past ten years, merging her passions for wellness and creativity. She co-facilitates the Still Water: Settle and Write retreat at Loretto Maryholme annually in the spring through Wild Ground Writing Retreats.

She is a Physiotherapist, Certified Coach, an Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) facilitator and graduate of The Humber School for Writers, The Sarah Selecky Writing School, and Spark Your Story Intensive, where she received mentorship from award-winning Canadian creative non-fiction authors Rowan McCandless and Nicole Breit. In 2023 she won second place in the Creative Non-Fiction Collective-Humber Literary Review Contest.

In her spare time, she does laundry, procrasti-knits, and enjoys doggy cuddles.

Q: What exactly happens at a writing retreat?

Expect deep rest, creative focus, and the rare luxury of uninterrupted time.

Mornings are slow and spacious, beginning with a hot breakfast and coffee. After breakfast, the group gathers for an opportunity to set individual intentions for the day. A simple writing activity will help you get your creative flow started.

Spend the rest of the morning with your journal until lunch is served. Afternoons are open for writing, napping, walking, or relaxing in the sauna.

Evenings may include campfires, stargazing, group connecting, or quiet reflection on the dock.

Q: What if I'm not sure what to write?

That’s absolutely okay! You don’t need to be working on a long-form project to benefit from this retreat. If you’re coming to nourish your creative self, you’ll have access to a variety of inspiring prompts provided by your host—perfect for when inspiration runs low.

This retreat is as much about refilling your creative cup as it is about output. Spend time in nature, enjoy the quiet company of fellow writers, and follow your own rhythm. Whether you write all day or take long, reflective breaks, you’ll leave with fresh pages, renewed creative energy, and the deep sense that your writing life truly matters—and now has space to grow.

Q: Do you have a payment plan?

Yes! WeTravel, the booking platform that we use, makes it easy to pay. You can pay the whole amount at once, stick with the payment schedule we've set up (with the option for your card to be automatically charged).

You can also pay what you can, when you can—chip away at the fee on your own schedule--and WeTravel will keep track of what you owe!

Another cool thing: you can set up a fundraising page through WeTravel to gather support (great for gift lists!). Find out how here.

Q: I have dietary restrictions. Can I come?

Of course! We will accommodate all dietary needs with delicious options; let us know your specifics on the form when you register. Even if you just have some strong preferences, let us know!

Q: What's your cancellation policy?

Great question! We all know life can, um, happen despite our best laid plans! Your deposit is refundable until September 10 should you change your mind, and you can read the rest of the Cancellation Policy here.

Wild Ground Writing Retreats offers transformative retreats in inspiring and unique locations. We provide supportive instruction, dedicated writing time, and vibrant community to nurture both your writing and your creative spirit.

Website: https://wildgroundwriting.com/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1 2049780272