Imagine retreating to a 1,000 year old Benedictine monastery in an ancient village on top of a mountain in Italy to devote time to developing your novel or screenplay, coached daily by a Hollywood scriptwriter over 7 days and nurtured by a team of cultural adventurers to explore the wild spirit of an untamed region.
This could be your dream come true!
Hollywood scriptwriter, internationally syndicated humor columnist and US television development executive, Katiedid Langrock of Write in the Wild has partnered with Silver Compass Tours to present a completely unique storytelling adventure for writers in the ‘hidden’ food and wine region of Ciociaria, the Wild Heart of Italy.
Just an hour south from Rome, you are going to feel like you’re a whole world away and that you’ve somehow stepped far back in time. We have designed a very special writing and cultural immersion experience to not only get your writing dreams kickstarted, but to get you connected to your inner authenticity and creative wildness.
Final Draft, the world’s leader in screenplay software is our beautiful storytelling sponsor for the Write in the Wild Heart of Italy storytelling retreats. Every one of our retreat participants will receive a FREE digital download of the Final Draft screenwriting software [valued at US$249] as part of your all-inclusive writing workshops and tour package. AMAZING! with thanks to our friends at Final Draft x
Katiedid Langrock explains: “Write in the Wild embodies a holistic approach to writing and follows the philosophy that your greatest muse is your own inner wild self. We believe that by tapping into the true human experience, every scribe can construct a story that is healing for the writer and empowering for the reader — that by getting back into nature, you access your natural gifts. And we stand by the uncompromising belief that writing should be an enjoyable love affair with your own boundless imagination. To write is, and always should be, a most excellent adventure.”
Sometimes, you have to step off-trail and outside your comfort zone to find your writing zone. Writing in the wild is a natural antidote for writer’s block and failure to launch. The end result is a transformative experience, the product of which can’t help but stand above other scripts and manuscripts.
So step outside. Breathe the wild air. Be inspired. Find your voice. Scream into a stream. Write under a tree. Scrawl outside the sprawl. Never stop exploring. You can’t accomplish anything truly inspirational while following someone else’s mile markers. This is your time. The WILD YOU is calling.
Every morning, Katiedid Langrock is going to exclusively share with you her secrets to writing success by helping you create your own unique and personalised writing process to form a genuine connection with your readers.
She will be taking you through a step-by-step process over FIVE workshops focusing on: structuring emotionally connective and wildly successful stories, creating characters that drive your stories and connect with your readers on an emotional level, bringing emotional truth into your stories through sensory stimulation (and banishing writer’s fatigue forever!), holding space in your most important scenes and breathing life into your stories – and ultimately ensuring that you leave inspired and ready to tango with your saleable story or manuscript.
You will also receive a dedicated one-hour personal session with Katiedid to discuss your novel or screenplay and talk through any blocks you may be facing. Additionally, you are being offered TWO optional BONUS classes on creating strong & effective writers’ groups to help keep your momentum going at home and how to be Pitch Perfect when it comes to selling your work.
Your workshop retreat package includes FIVE writing workshops hosted by Katiedid Langrock, including refreshments throughout and a take-with-you lunch to wander through the village during your free writing time; plus TWO bonus classes and a personal 1:1 session with Katiedid Langrock. PLUS your free digital download of Final Draft screenwriting software [valued at US$249]. You will be given plenty of time to wander around and write in this beautiful and wild Italian mountaintop village.
PLUS
6 nights’ accommodation in a private room with own bathroom in a lovingly-restored 1,000 year old monastery, daily breakfast inclusive; an orientation tour of our home village; a Welcome Dinner; a half-day trip exploring stunning medieval frescoes with a private and guided art history tour; a day trip to the farthest corner of Ciociaria for a unique writing immersion experience in the Wild Heart of Italy at the 18th Century villa in the Comino Valley where English novelist DH Lawrence completed ‘The Lost Girl’ in 1919; an artisanal pizza night in fairylit monastery gardens; and a final fine-dining Farewell Lunch.
All lunches and breakfasts are provided, and most dinners. There will be one free evening for you to choose your own arrangements for dinner and LOTS of free time for writing. Your package includes being accompanied and looked after by your Silver Compass Tours Host plus all entrance fees, tour transfers, dining events and tours. Transport and driver are provided.
The Write in the Wild Heart of Italy storytelling retreat and sensory cultural adventure is valued at US$3,497* per person.
You can secure your place straight away with just a US$500 deposit and you won’t need to pay the final balance until February 2020 (if paying in full).
Payment Plans are available on request. Places are limited to a maximum of 12 participants.
* Please note the Package cost is in US dollars. Package cost does not include flights, travel insurance, medical insurance, relevant visas, or any additional personal expenses. Please note that rooms are not available to share.
Minimum of 6 guests for this tour, maximum 12 guests. View our full Booking Terms & Conditions here >>
[The bespoke Write in the Wild Heart of Italy storytelling workshop retreat component of this package is valued at US$1,997. Intensive 7-day Write in the Wild workshops are additionally available in the United States for US$3,997].
You will be living in the mountaintop village of Veroli, once the home of the proud Italic Volscii tribe thousands of years ago. Your writing retreat workshops and accommodation will be hosted at a lovingly-restored centuries-old monastery, founded by St Benedict himself. Although completely secluded within its own walled garden, your monastery is only a few short steps from the central piazza of the village which is full of life, espresso and prosecco bars and fabulous dining venues.
Katiedid Langrock is a Hollywood scriptwriter, television development executive, television creator, story coach, speaker and internationally syndicated humor columnist.
Project Mc2 (development executive, story editor) was nominated for an Emmy for Best Children’s Series. Berry Bees (development, wrote pilot episode, show bible, multiple episodes) was nominated by the Australian Writers Guild. In 2019/2020, six new shows developed and/or created by Katiedid will be coming out. In 2017, the best of her humor columns was published into a book.
She has worked as a story coach for a decade, crafting a unique approach to bringing emotional depth to your story by accessing your wild self.
Katiedid lives in the wild with her husband, two young children and pet rabbit.
*All of our tour experience itineraries are subject to change and spontaneity. It makes life a little more fun!
CONTACT US for more information on our exclusive Wild Heart of Italy itineraries – designed for curious travellers and seekers of the extraordinary.
