As you enter the winding laneway, the retreat centre reveals itself gradually. Surrounded by massive black walnut and oak trees and fragrant, blooming gardens, this Victorian cottage is the perfect setting for tapping into creative flow. You can already feel yourself relaxing. 

Gravel crunches underfoot as you walk to the front door. Passing the sensory garden, you catch the sound of a trickling fountain and the call of a bright red cardinal. Nearby, a sign marked The Labyrinth points to a trail leading into the still woods.

Inside Edgar House, the wooden floors creak as you wander toward the sunroom, drawn by the view of the lake. The wide, blue horizon line seems to anchor your gaze… You can’t wait to fully settle in… and write! 

What will you find at Still Water? You can expect to... 

-discover gentle ways to calm and support your nervous system, opening the door to a more authentic, joyful writing flow.

-cultivate a sense of safety and self-compassion for your creative self. 

-explore the grounds, including walking the labyrinth, to get your body and your imagination flowing. 

-connect with fellow writers during workshops and during delicious meals, creating a lasting sense of community and inspiration.

-find your writing flow in generative writing circles and creative sessions

-practice nurturing grounding techniques to help you cozy up to the page, bringing more freedom and ease to your writing.

-rekindle confidence in your creative self, feeling grounded, supported, and connected to others who truly understand the path.

Yes! Isn't it time to invest in focused, nourishing time to help calm the waters and immerse into your creative flow! 

Lauren Carter (she/her) founded Wild Ground Writing Retreats to fulfil her twin passions of travel and helping writers. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph and a certificate in teaching and training adult learners. Her last book, the short story collection Places Like These was recommended as a Spring 2023 read by the Globe and Mail while her last novel This Has Nothing To Do With You won the Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction, while she also received the John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer. Her sixth book, The Longest Night, will be published by Freehand Press in Fall 2025. Find out more about Lauren at www.laurencarter.ca 

Although neurotypical, Anita Allen is part of a vibrant neurodiverse family, a trait shared by at least one of her family pets. Her writing explores the intersection of neurodiversity and mental health, intergenerational trauma and breaking cycles. She has been offering writing workshops and retreats for the past six years, merging her passions for wellness and creativity. In 2023, she won second place in the Creative Non-Fiction Collective-Humber Literary Review Contest. Anita is a Physiotherapist, Certified Coach, Co-Founder of Ignite Your Write, 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 her spare time, she does laundry, procrasti-knits, and enjoys doggy cuddles. Find out more about Anita at www.anitaallen.ca/

Check-in and settle into your unique room before a delicious dinner with a panoramic view of the lake. Then, gather for our first session to get grounded and connect with each other and our words. 

After a nourishing breakfast (on your own or with the group), take part in creative sessions that combine visual art with writing, walk the labyrinth to trigger inspiration, or opt for individual writing time. 

End the day immersed in an optional journey of sounds and settling yoga nidra with special guests Jelly Sky Yoga. 

Spend the morning writing with others or wandering the labyrinth and reflecting on its lessons. Immerse into your own work, get feedback on your writing, or wander the beautiful grounds. In the evening, after another sumptuous meal, we'll connect by sharing some of our creative work. 

After breakfast, we'll write and reflect as a group on our final morning together. Lunch will be followed by our door prize raffle with giveaways of knitted items by Lauren and Anita. Leave this beautiful place empowered, inspired, and connected with a new community and your words.