Write Your Healing Story

WRITE YOUR HEALING STORY

A one-day memoir writing retreat in the Algarve

There are stories we tell.

And then there are the stories that live beneath them.

The ones we haven’t fully shaped.
The ones we’re not sure how to begin.
The ones that ask something of us.

This one-day retreat is an invitation to step away from your daily life and into a quieter space—where you can begin to listen more closely to your own story.

Through guided reflection, conversation, writing, and time in nature, you will begin to uncover the deeper thread of your memoir—and how to bring it into form. Held in the serene beauty of the Algarve, this retreat offers time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your vision, far from daily distractions.

Who is this retreat for?

• Writers and aspiring authors needing time, rest, connection and clarity for their stories

• Those struggling with self-doubt or feeling overwhelmed by the writing of a personal story

• Anyone with an idea that they can't quite shape into a coherent outline

• Writers who’ve started a memoir but need a reset, feedback, or new perspective

• People who crave a supportive, non-judgmental writing community

• Open to men and women

• NO WRITING EXPERIENCE NEEDED. IF YOU WANT TO EXPRESS YOURSELF THROUGH WRITING FOR YOURSELF OR TO PUBLISH THIS IS FOR YOU.

What to expect

This retreat focuses on creating the container, the quiet and space to hear your story speak to you. While resources for craft and structure will be available, our emphasis is on helping you overcome internal barriers to writing a story that is authentic and still resonates with readers.

Memoir is our focus. You’ll…

• Gain clarity on what your story is really about

• Discover the thread that runs through your narrative, focusing you when you drift

• Understand how and where in your memoir to begin

• Learn how to structure and outline for flow

• Take the first steps toward writing your healing story

Create the conditions for your story to emerge

• Group Conversations: Supportive discussions with Alicia and fellow writers to explore new approaches, to laugh together, to break bread and rediscover your creative expression

• Creative Space for Inspiration: Our location will be chosen for its intimacy and ability to enhance the creative process. Think garden, terrace, comfy seating not a meeting room.

• Time for Stillness: Quiet time for deep reflection and writing

• Practical and Inspirational: A combination of moving inward and outward.

Your day at a glance

• Arrival and Welcome: Come in. Coffee, tea, something good to eat. A gentle opening exercise to leave the noise of the road behind and arrive in your full self.

• Enter the space: After a grounding meditation, we begin by sharing our stories, what brought you to this point, what questions you may have and the why behind your memoir. You will surely see similarities with others who are also on this journey.

• The Conversation: I’ll introduce you to some practices, we’ll do a few exercises together to get under the story and you’ll begin to understand what it is truly about.

• Lunch: Good food, more conversation, a walk in the garden, no agenda just connection.

• Practice: You’ll craft the structure of your story and begin to write your first chapter. No “constructive criticism” is allowed but feedback is welcome.

• Close: A clear intention, a commitment and shared support ending with a poem and a short meditation.

• Celebrate: You are invited to share a glass of wine and nibbles.

Dates: TO BE ANNOUNCED -PLEASE GET ON OUR LIST

Fee per person: $299 USD with a $50 USD deposit to hold your space.

• Cancel without penalty before 30 days in advance. No refunds within 30 days as space is limited.

• By application only. Schedule your interview below.

Lodging, meals, and transportation are not included. I will make recommendations for these.

Details will be discussed at our interview. Limited to 7 participants (minimum of 3 required).