Utah 2008 Mountain Writers' Retreat

Cassiopeia · Mar 10, 2007

It has come up in a thread and I understand not for the first time in regards to a retreat. I am willing to head up the comittee to look into it and if it is viable plan it for sometime in 2008.

PeeDee has made a suggestion that it be held in Denver which is fairly central to those in the United States.

The first thing we need to determine is how many of our wonderful community would be interested in attending. Then we can discuss the date. I think it would be fair to plan for next summer some time in July. I thought about that and it is logical that it would be warm..travel more amienable and kids will be out for the summer holiday. If we plan that far in advance we have a better chance of saving for it and the details won't be rushed. It gives us approximately 15 months notice.

If you are interested would you please post here and any suggestions for locations. Also if you are interested in helping with the planning of it and executing of it, I would be most grateful.

Things to consider:

Location:
Date:
Duration:
Workshops:
Activities:
Travel:
Food:
Accomadations:

Okay my fellow AW'ers ...let's hear your ideas. OH and PeeDee...I am hoping for your help

PeeDee · Mar 10, 2007

I hope your'e not asking for organizational help, because I can barely find my cup of tea...

But I'm all yours for ideas.

I think if it's planned far enough out (a year, 15 months is nice) then I have time to put it on my calender, start saving up money for expenses, get my notes ready for allll the panels that I'll be begged to be on. :eyeroll:

Denver's a nice city, it's got a big convention center if we want to go that route (or we could invade a hotel and be somewhat civilized, what with showers and stuff).

Cassiopeia · Mar 10, 2007

We could also use camp grounds

With big pavillions and such. There are so many options

PeeDee · Mar 10, 2007

I think for the type of thing we're talking about here, the idyllic campground idea doesn't really work, in that if thirty people come, there can be hotel rooms for them....whereas if there are only fifteen campground cabins, there's going to be sudden bunking-up with people you've never actually met.

I am NOT sleeping in the same cabin as Rllgthunder, OR Ray.

Plus, while I can happily rough it for a few days, or a week, or whatever in a campground and be content at the other end, I expect we have some members here who would be less than thrilled to be getting closer to nature.

Plus, I bet a good-sized hotel in a bigger city -- like, for example, Denver -- would offer discounts on a bulk business deal like this.

san_remo_ave · Mar 10, 2007

I think this is a great idea. Would love to participate AND help coordinate, etc. I'm in marketing in my day job.

Denver is a lovely place and now that Southwest goes there (thru ATA) is likely to be more affordable airfare.

Things to consider:

Location: Anywhere in the Southwest --AZ, UT, NV, CO, NM

Date: Spring or Fall

Duration: 3 Days

Workshops: Characterization, Plotting, Editing, Research, Marketing

Activities: Book Fair for Published AW Authors, ooh -->AW Awards??!!

Travel: ?? Would be nice to provide some coordinated transportation if the site isn't a local cab ride away from the airport.

Food: Yes, please.

Accomadations:

I think a retreat type atmosphere would be lovely with hiking and outdoor activities. Imagine a campfire activity with ghost-story competition!

Cassiopeia · Mar 10, 2007

LOL...yeah well I was kinda kidding about that PeeDee...however, I did organize a two day campout for my company and employees. There were over 70 of us who attended. But they brought family. LOL boy did we have a blast..but you are correct...I was just thinking of some place like aspen with a hotel atmosphere and large convention rooms.

We have Sundance here in Utah that I know gets booked year round for retreats. Their cabins are actually homes that get rented out and yes...people would share if they wanted to but not bedrooms LOL. Gosh and here I thought you and Ray would have so much fun

So everyone we need you to weigh in on this.

Cassiopeia · Mar 10, 2007

sanremoave said:
I think this is a great idea. Would love to participate AND help coordinate, etc. I'm in marketing in my day job.

Denver is a lovely place and now that Southwest goes there (thru ATA) is likely to be more affordable airfare.

Things to consider:

Location: Anywhere in the Southwest --AZ, UT, NV, CO, NM

Date: Spring or Fall

Duration: 3 Days

Workshops: Characterization, Plotting, Editing, Research, Marketing

Activities: Book Fair for Published AW Authors, ooh -->AW Awards??!!

Travel: ?? Would be nice to provide some coordinated transportation if the site isn't a local cab ride away from the airport.

Food: Yes, please.

Accomadations:

I think a retreat type atmosphere would be lovely with hiking and outdoor activities. Imagine a campfire activity with ghost-story competition!

Here along the Wasatch front we have: Sundance, Brighton, Snowbird, Parkwest...to name a few and they all have wonderful set ups...Sundance...a bit too pricy...I THINK. I am happy to find out.

san_remo_ave · Mar 10, 2007

Do you think a remote retreat setting, or somewhere people might be able to do some sightseeing, dining out, etc?

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon has a bunch of cabins and a lodge and the crazy donkey trail ride the Brady Bunch went on (not to be confused with the busier and more touresty south rim). It's best accessed from NV (probably Vegas) but would be a bit of a drive, tho a lovely remote area.

ETA: Link http://www.grandcanyonnorthrim.com/Accomodations-841.html

PeeDee · Mar 10, 2007

Things I want to see/do at an AW Retreat:

-- A short story race. Meaning we have tow typewriters back to back, someone gives me and another writer an opening sentence, and then we write a short story on the spot. And if another writer doesn't want to do it with me, I will, because it's fun damn it.

-- Readings. Would anyone get up and read a short story to the group? I would, I think it's fun.

-- AW Roundtables, where a group of five or six authors sit and have a discussion about some topic, whether on a useful subject (editing, etc.) or something completely off-the-wall (the value and benefit of eggplants to AW.)

Cassiopeia · Mar 10, 2007

PeeDee said:
Things I want to see/do at an AW Retreat:

-- A short story race. Meaning we have tow typewriters back to back, someone gives me and another writer an opening sentence, and then we write a short story on the spot. And if another writer doesn't want to do it with me, I will, because it's fun damn it.

-- Readings. Would anyone get up and read a short story to the group? I would, I think it's fun.

-- AW Roundtables, where a group of five or six authors sit and have a discussion about some topic, whether on a useful subject (editing, etc.) or something completely off-the-wall (the value and benefit of eggplants to AW.)

OHHH...this sounds fun!

PeeDee · Mar 10, 2007

Nevada would be useful for me, because my wife's family lives in Elko (a couple of hours away from Vegas) so we could fly there, she could visit her folks, i could visit a bunch of crazy people, and it would make for a useful and cool week.

But then, NV might be a bit remote for our friends on the east coast.

san_remo_ave · Mar 10, 2007

PeeDee said:
But then, NV might be a bit remote for our friends on the east coast.

Distance-wise, it might be, but Vegas is such a huge tourist destination that flights are usually nice and inexpensive.

san_remo_ave · Mar 10, 2007

PeeDee said:
Things I want to see/do at an AW Retreat:

-- A short story race. Meaning we have tow typewriters back to back, someone gives me and another writer an opening sentence, and then we write a short story on the spot. And if another writer doesn't want to do it with me, I will, because it's fun damn it.

-- Readings. Would anyone get up and read a short story to the group? I would, I think it's fun.

-- AW Roundtables, where a group of five or six authors sit and have a discussion about some topic, whether on a useful subject (editing, etc.) or something completely off-the-wall (the value and benefit of eggplants to AW.)

Ooh, I like those!

But howabout we use computers instead of typewriters, so we can display the text on monitors for people watching??

san_remo_ave · Mar 10, 2007

One of the biggest convention locations is Orlando because it has the added benefit of Disney and Universal Studios and all to divert the rest of the family. Nice and inexpensive airfare, too. The Orlando airport also has an attached hotel, so you can exit the concourse and take an escalator up to the desk to check in. No cabs or other transport needed.

PeeDee · Mar 10, 2007

sanremoave said:
Distance-wise, it might be, but Vegas is such a huge tourist destination that flights are usually nice and inexpensive.

It's certainly fine by me. Denver is closer to where I live now, but Nevada would be much more useful location for me. And I love Vegas.

Using computers and monitors is a fun idea too.

Cassiopeia · Mar 10, 2007

PeeDee said:
Nevada would be useful for me, because my wife's family lives in Elko (a couple of hours away from Vegas) so we could fly there, she could visit her folks, i could visit a bunch of crazy people, and it would make for a useful and cool week.

But then, NV might be a bit remote for our friends on the east coast.

My sister lives in Vegas...blech. I am sure we will get some place that can be good

PeeDee · Mar 10, 2007

There'll be four hundred of us in a room, and then we discover horribly that...it turns out....we're all just happy to be quiet and listen to everyone else. And then the whole thing is an utter bust.

Little Red Barn · Mar 10, 2007

I'm in Cas, how about a beach scene...somehere on the Gulf---Texas? Yess!

Luke flees the scene · Mar 10, 2007

Wow, this would be an awesome idea. I'm not a long-term member yet, but by 2008 I guess I will be. I'm going on a youth group retreat to Orlando, FL this summer. =]

Is there going to be a certain age limit or anything? Cause we have relatives in Denver, so I could definately attend. Or at least, I'd have an excuse to. lol.

jodiodi · Mar 10, 2007

I like the idea of a fairly remote location. what about the Stanley Hotel? It's certainly got a literary history. Plus, it'd give me an excuse to go there other than just ... wanting to go there.

Little Red Barn · Mar 10, 2007

Tattered and Torn said:
Wow, this would be an awesome idea. I'm not a long-term member yet, but by 2008 I guess I will be. I'm going on a youth group retreat to Orlando, FL this summer. =]

Is there going to be a certain age limit or anything? Cause we have relatives in Denver, so I could definately attend. Or at least, I'd have an excuse to. lol.

TaT, you are very much a part of our family-- :Hug2:

Cassiopeia · Mar 10, 2007

rugcat just sent me a PM check this out

http://www.altalodge.com/

This is his family's business. Keep the comments coming folks

Cassiopeia · Mar 10, 2007

Tattered and Torn said:
Wow, this would be an awesome idea. I'm not a long-term member yet, but by 2008 I guess I will be. I'm going on a youth group retreat to Orlando, FL this summer. =]

Is there going to be a certain age limit or anything? Cause we have relatives in Denver, so I could definately attend. Or at least, I'd have an excuse to. lol.

I think as with anyone who is a minor we will need parental consent forms and the like...but we can work that out...don't worry if this really happens you won't be left behind

Little Red Barn · Mar 10, 2007

Well...Utah...well...

Cassiopeia · Mar 10, 2007

PeeDee said:
There'll be four hundred of us in a room, and then we discover horribly that...it turns out....we're all just happy to be quiet and listen to everyone else. And then the whole thing is an utter bust.

don't worry about that PeeDee...I used to run a VERY large corporation and I usually talk too long. I am sure once we all get over the shock of:

Casi: OH MY GOD! YOU'RE REALLY PeeDee?
PD: yes..worship me.
Casi: HEY EVERYONE THIS IS OUR PEEDEE!
PD: Thank you very much..so where's the booze?
Maestro: Where's the hottub?
Haggis: I need a place to pee.
Casi: Where's the newspaper to wack Haggis with?

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