Ode to Amorgos: A writer’s paradise
A unique writing retreat in Amorgos, Greece
A stunning Greek island, the camaraderie of like-minded scribes, the susurrus of the sea (isn’t that a lovely onomatopoeia?) And through it all, time to focus on my writing.
It sounds like a dream, right? But it was my life for a week in September. When people have asked me about it recently, I'm not sure whether I’ve responded or lapsed into silence, lost in reverie. So, here is my first attempt to write about my six-day writing retreat with Imagine Greece Retreats on Amorgos Island.
Our hosts Jonas Saul (best-selling author of the Sarah Roberts series) and his wife, thriller author Rania Stone, took good care of us.
Even before we signed up, Jonas and Rania answered questions and shared travel tips via email. I'm sure they never sleep, because their answers seemed immediate, in spite of the time difference. Jonas even travelled to Athens a few days before the retreat, to show us around (more on that in future articles) and to accompany us to Amorgos.
We arrived by ferry from Athens the day before the retreat began. Getting on and off a ferry in Greece is a bit of a free-for-all, compared to Canada, so I was glad to be part of a group.
Our first view of the island was through a bus window. Breathtaking views surrounded us as the bus snaked around the mountain roads to the beautiful Lakki Village Hotel.
Once we got to the hotel, I quickly moved into my comfortable private room. Amorgos weather was not as hot as Athens, with temperatures averaging about 24 C (75 F), but I appreciated the air conditioning. The Agean sea murmured outside my balcony and the relaxing outdoor pool beckoned at my front door.
The writing retreat officially began the next day, after a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel. Each morning, we had two-hour sessions with Jonas and historical author C.C. (Chris) Humphreys (Someday I’ll Find You and 22+ other novels). They teamed up to present in-depth workshops on the writing craft.
They each described their individual approaches to writing, focusing not only on how to begin, but on how to finish a novel. One session focused on ways to intensify the emotional impact of a novel. Another session focused on tips for writing sex scenes, fight scenes, and generally increasing the tension of a scene in any genre. To end the week, we had an in-depth session on the newest trends in marketing and promotions.
In the afternoons, we were free to swim, stroll the sandy beaches, write, and dream. As well, we went on group excursions to see an Eleventh Century monastery, the ancient village of Chora, and hike across the mountains.
Our group included writers published in such diverse genres as romance, women’s fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, and nonfiction. We exchanged ideas and tips during meals, walks across the sand to the neighbouring village of Ormos Aegiali, swims in the ocean and pool, and after-hours socializing.
The hotel breakfasts were amazing, with plenty of gluten-free options available. I quickly developed a craving for Greek yogurt with “spoon sweets.” (And Rania even sent a recipe, so I can indulge at home.) At our nightly banquets, the hotel staff went out of their way to provide options for those of us with food allergies.
The relaxed atmosphere also enhanced my concentration during individual writing time. I had an insight that led to revising the opening chapter of my historical novel, third in the Last of the Gifted series. A one-on-one consultation with Humphreys helped intensify this new direction. Humphreys has a theatre and film background, and his process validated my approach to character and narrative.
The week gave me the opportunity to focus on improving my craft and to take my works-in-progress to a new level. I want to give a huge shoutout to SK Arts for funding support. We are so fortunate in Saskatchewan to have access to such grants. Funding can make all the difference in a writer’s career, especially when it allows the kind of amazing opportunity that this Imagine Greece writing retreat gave me.
Marie Powell’s castle-hopping adventures across North Wales resulted in her medieval fantasy Spirit Sight and Water Sight (Last of the Gifted), set in Thirteenth Century Wales. She is an award-winning Canadian author, journalist, researcher, and editor, based in Treaty 4 Territory, Saskatchewan.
Have you been on any interesting retreats lately? I’m always on the lookout for more ideas. Leave a comment and let’s connect!
Both you and Stella convinced me to try Substack. Amorgos was unforgettable. What a fantastic place!
Love this, Marie! You've inspired me to crack on with my own retreat post. Most of my photos feature Mia the dog, of course, so my recount will be less landscape and more grey fluff with mismatched ears.