Mothers and Others Memoir Retreat

Mother’s Day Weekend May 9-12, 2024

If you’ve been wanting to write, but you’re not sure how to begin – or maybe you’ve been working on your writing for a while, but feel the need for some guidance and support—here comes a great way to reach your writing goals.

This coming Mother’s Day Weekend 2024, join New York Times best-selling writer Joyce Maynard—author of three memoirs, twelve novels and more essays than she chooses to count, for the first-ever Mothers-and-Others Memoir Retreat in the beautiful town of Greenfield, New Hampshire.

Nature enthusiasts can explore the surrounding countryside, with its rolling fields, babbling brooks, and majestic mountains. Hiking trails and scenic drives lead to breathtaking vistas, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of their surroundings.

Forget the Mother’s Day routine of breakfast-in-bed and boxes of chocolates. This year, let your gift be the opportunity to share your story, in a diverse community of women of all ages who share your passion. You’ll experience the tough, but loving guidance of a writer with more than thirty years experience teaching memoir and instilling the tools of honest, powerful writing.

It’s likely that some tears will be shed over your memoir-writing weekend. It’s guaranteed there will be laughter, sisterhood, inspiration and discovery. Also, fun.

We’ll gather for wine and appetizers at 4 pm on Thursday afternoon, May 9, 2024. The workshop will continue through mid-day Sunday, May 12. (But if you’d like more in-depth work with Joyce, there’s an add-on option described further down.)

This workshop will be different from any Joyce has led in the past. For starters, we’ll be hosting you and your fellowwriters in the lovely lakefront Barbara C Harris Conference Center in Greenfield, N.H. (It may be a little chilly for swimming, but with luck, we may enjoy the beginning of lilac season.)

You’ll stay in charming rustic cottages (two to a room, though those who choose may opt for a private room at Greenfield Inn). All meals but one—our Mother’s Day Eve celebration at the historic Hancock Inn in the village of Hancock, NH—will be served at the Barbara C Harris Center. With the exception of Saturday night dinner at the Hancock Inn, wine for those who choose, the price of the retreat is all-inclusive.

Now for what makes this retreat different from Joyce’s previous writing workshops: In an effort to make this experience more affordable, Joyce has opened this retreat up to as many as 28 writers—women only-- instead of the usual 12 or 13. She’ll still ask for a short writing submission from every writer in the group. But with the exception of eight writers who choose to stay on for an additional day, she won’t be individually workshopping each writer’s manuscript as she does with smaller groups.

This means that the Mothers-and-Others retreat will be structured in a series of craft talks in which Joyce explores the topics of structure, point of entry, dialogue, story arc, language, editing, and much more. She’ll also address the question every writer of memoir grapples with: the fear that honest disclosure may damage personal relationships.

Throughout the weekend, Joyce will draw on excerpts from the writing of retreat participants. She’ll offer writing prompts—with time for sharing. Every evening after dinner, the group will gather for readings and what is sure to be rich and meaningful discussion.

For those who seek more in-depth workshopping of a longer piece of work (up to 2,500 words) Joyce will offer the option of an extra day, with the final sessions to be held at her home down the road from the Barbara C Harris Center. This option will be available for eight writers. But for those who choose the shorter and more affordable retreat, rest assured: Every woman in the workshop can count on two and a half days of lively, inspiring instruction designed to turn you into a stronger, more authentic writer of the one story nobody but you can tell: your own.

REGISTRATION: Places for the Mothers-and-Others Retreat are likely to fill up quickly. If this sounds like how you’d like to spend Mother’s Day, we recommend you reserve yours now. For questions and more information, contact Joyce’s Right Hand Woman, Gina Alligood at writewithjoycemaynard@gmail.com

Note on housing: The Barbara C Harris Conference Center is cozy, clean and charming. (Think of this as summer camp for grownups).

But for those who prefer to stay in somewhat more luxurious accommodations, we’ve reserved a few private rooms in a lovely B & B about a mile down the road, The Greenfield Inn, in Greenfield, New Hampshire. (If you choose to stay at the Inn, you’ll still share meals with the group at the Conference Center.)

How to get to Greenfield, NH if you're not driving:

AIRPORTS

BOSTON, MA

Approximately 1 hour 45 minute drive

MANCHESTER, NH

Approximately 50 minute drive

All Inclusive Costs - lodging, meals (excluding Saturday and Sunday dinners), and lessons with Joyce.

Shared Rooms - Adult Friendly Cabins at Barbara Harris Conference Center

- two people to a room with a private bathroom

May 9-12 $1,500

May 9-13 $2,225

Private Rooms - St. John’s Lodge at Barbara C Harris Conference Center

- private room with a private bathroom

May 9-12 $1,630

May 9-13 $2,385

Private Rooms at Greenfield Inn (5 Minute commute)

May 9-12 $1,700

May 9-13 $2,425