If you are contemplating a writing vacation to get away from it all – not to vegetate – but to write, you’ll find many retreats, workshops and on-going classes (both over the Internet and in person) across Canada and the United States. You might not be able to make it to an exotic location such as Italy or Spain, but just removing yourself from your everyday life will free your creative juices.

Canada has a good number of interesting locations from the east coast Maritimes to British Columbia in the west.

The Banff Center programs include the Playwrights Colony offered ever spring (deadline for admission in the preceding fall); the Literary Arts Self-directed Writing Residency; and In(ter)ventions Literary Practice at the Edge: A Gathering held for four days in February.

The Writers’ Haven offers workshops on Gabriola Island, British Columbia where 10 to 12 participants get together to write and discuss the craft as well as receive coaching. Personally-managed retreats are also available.

The Humber School for Writers in Toronto holds a seven-day creative writing workshop each summer as well as classes during the year.

More writing workshops in Canada are listed on the Yahoo! search link: Yahoo Directory

In the USA, you can choose between mountains or seaside, cities or countryside. A little of everything is available as far as locations, topics of instructions and lengths of workshops.

ASJA Conference (American Society for Journalists and Authors) holds workshops as part of its yearly conference and includes the opportunity for one-on-one time with an editor.

Exploritas (once known as Elderhostels) – not just for seniors – offers a number of learning vacations around the world including a memoir-writing workshop held in Ripley, West Virginia.

A large selection of classes and workshops are available at The John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina. Topics cover children’s literature, writing your memoirs, ‘Writing True Stories’ and ‘Write Like a Genius.’

More resources are available at Info Hub which provides a listing of vacation schools and writers’ workshops.

Before signing on with any program or school, review their program information carefully and make sure you are clear on what is included in the price (e.g. accommodations, food, etc.).

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