Write by the Lake

“I’m Not a Writer” Retreat in Guatemala

Nov. 28-Dec. 4

The “I’m Not a Writer” Memoir Retreat

Nov. 28-Dec. 4

This one’s for anyone who ever studied pictures and descriptions of Joyce’s retreats, dreamed about joining her at Casa Paloma, but stopped herself with the reminder: “But I’m not a writer”.

You don’t need a manuscript to attend this retreat. You don’t need to have the first three chapters of a memoir in your desk drawer. All you need is curiosity, a desire to explore the story of your life. And if you think that story isn’t all that interesting….think again.

You’ll get a good idea of what to expect by reading the descriptions here of our Write by the Lake retreats. Joyce will have a lot to say about the writing process, and tools that can help you get started. But for this one we won’t be workshopping manuscripts. And because this retreat lasts six nights, not seven, our all-inclusive price has been reduced.

If you’ve ever wanted to write, but don’t know how to begin, or where, Joyce promises: you’ll have plenty of ideas and inspiration (also great shopping finds, terrific memories, and new friends) by the end of the week. As well as—possibly—a whole new way of looking at the people and experiences that got you where you are. And, if you choose, a way of moving forward with more story- telling in the days to come.

Your adventure begins when your driver picks you up at the airport and brings you to a lovely Spanish colonial hotel in the historic town of Antigua , where you’ll meet the others in your group over sunset drinks and a great meal, and spend your first night.  Next morning, after a traditional Guatemalan breakfast and great coffee, a stroll over cobblestone streets, and a little shopping, you’ll continue on the lake, where Joyce will be waiting on the dock to greet you with a pitcher of fresh margaritas and the best guacamole ever.  

This is your time, to spend in whatever way nourishes you best—swimming, participating in daily yoga with a terrific teacher, massage by the water, healthy meals shared in great company-- while our incomparable team of helpers tends to the details. 


❋ A Place Made with Care

Casa Paloma is Joyce Maynard’s home and retreat center on Lake Atitlán, lovingly built by a team of workers from the Mayan community over twenty-five years. Each room and casita is unique, decorated with the work of local artisans.  Whichever space you choose, you’ll see the lake and volcano views out your window, and when you throw the windows open, you’ll hear a chorus of birds.


❋ Conversation and Connection

One of the great gifts of participating in a retreat at Casa Paloma comes from the diverse community of strong women you’ll meet. Over Rosa’s meals, in yoga, and in the writing circle, and at evening readings around the fire, you’re likely to form friendships that will endure long after the retreat is over.


❋ Culture, Curiosity, and Discovery

Your all-inclusive tuition includes a wide range of excursions, hand-picked by Joyce, into the rich Mayan culture of the region — from  an early morning hike to see the sun rise over five volcanoes to visits with local artisans, weaving collectives, a Mayan Shamanic ceremony.  


❋ The Writing Part

Unlike Joyce’s Write by the Lake retreat, where participants may have been working for months or years on a manuscript, this experience is designed for a woman who may not have written anything for a long time, or ever.  It’s for anyone who ever said, “I wish I could write.  I just don’t know where to start.  Or how.”  Daily conversations with Joyce and craft talks in the writing circle will open the door to a whole new world of expression. 


Group of women dressed in colorful striped robes standing together on wooden floor in front of lush tropical plants.
Multiple plates of tacos with meat, shredded cheese, onions, and jalapeños on a table.
Colorful waterfront homes with wooden decks and lush greenery along a clear blue lake. Some homes have terraces overlooking the water, surrounded by trees and flowering bushes, with mountains in the background.

Days 1–2

The Journey Begins

Getting There

You’ll fly into the Guatemala City airport, an extremely easy airport to navigate, where getting through customs seldom takes more than a few minutes. Every writer who joins us will be met by a private driver who will bring her to a charming small hotel in the lovely Spanish colonial town of Antigua, a 45-minute drive from the airport.

Once you’ve settled in, you’ll meet your fellow writers—along with Casa Paloma retreats manager, Erica Dixon—at an opening-night get-acquainted dinner. Like everything else included over the course of your time with us, all costs are included, other than a tip for our workers at the end of the week.  

Evening in Antigua

There, you’ll meet your fellow travelers over drinks and a celebratory dinner, and settle into a boutique hotel for the night. A member of the Casa Paloma team will be there to greet you, answer questions, and help you ease into the rhythm of the week ahead.

Exploration Time

Next morning, after a stroll through the cobblestone streets (with a little shopping, maybe) you’ll board a shuttle bus for the trip to the lake--usually a three to three- and-a-half hour trip.  From there, you’ll board a private boat that will bring you to the private dock at Casa Paloma, where Joyce will be waiting for you, with a pitcher of fresh margaritas (non-alcoholic for those who choose) and a bowl of Chef Rosa’s incomparable guacamole—and more.

Welcome at Casa Paloma

CASA PALOMA is Joyce Maynard’s home and retreat center on Lake Atitlán, lovingly built over more than twenty-five years. Each room and casita is unique, decorated with the work of local artisans, surrounded by lush gardens—some with deep-soaking tubs.  Each room or casita offers quality mattresses and linens, a writing desk, lake and volcano views that invite rest and reflection.

Once you’ve been brought to the room you’ve chosen (with the help of our U.S.-based retreats coordinator, Gina Alligood), you’ll have a little time to settle in. Throw the windows open, take in the views.  Then comes the first of many memorable meals.  We start the week off with pizza from our wood-fired oven, salad from the garden, good conversation and wine, and a little orientation talk from Joyce, over dessert.

Days 3 to 7

The Week at Casa Paloma

BEYOND THE WRITING:  Your all-inclusive tuition fee covers an exciting range of optional excursions designte to give you a window into the rich Mayan culture of the region — from a personal Mayan calendar reading for each writer, to a hike to see the sunrise over all five volcanoes at the lake, or to the cloud forest in search of the rare quetzal, to visits with local artisans, weaving and herbal medicine collectives, a cacao ceremony over open fire, and more.

This is a week when the goal of every single member of the Casa Paloma team—gardeners, housecleaners, kitchen staff, yoga instructor—make it their goal that every woman in the retreat feel supremely well taken care of.  No clearing your own dishes allowed, or carrying your paddleboard down to the water, or putting away your yoga props, even.  Most of us have done enough of that, back home!

Every morning, the temescal (sauna) will be fired up—a great way to start the day or warm up before (or after) a swim.  We’ll also be offering a daily gentle yoga class on our lake-front yoga shala, led by one of our gifted teachers--Hannah Cunha, or Kelly Burns. Each participant in the retreat will also receive a complimentary hour-long massage—close enough to the lake that you’ll hear the water lapping as your massage therapist works out the knots.

MEALS at Casa Paloma will be served in our flower-filled garden overlooking the lake, or by candle light, on our beautiful hand-built conacaste-wood table.  Our chef, Rosa, has earned so much admiration and love from past retreat participants that many tell us they’d come back just for the food she prepares (including vegetarian or gluten-free , and dishes adapted for those with special dietary needs.) 

Though most meals will be served at Casa Paloma, we’ll also be visiting a very special local restaurant one day. We could say more about this magical place, but would rather surprise you.

HOW TO APPLY:  To join the group, Joyce asks each applicant to submit a short letter about herself and her writing goals.  A writing sample of up to 1000 words is welcomed, but not required.  For anyone interested in joining Write by the Lake who’s telling herself “I’d love to come, but I’m not a writer”, here’s what Joyce has to say:  It is 100%  acceptable for a participant in Write by the Lake to  arrive at Casa Paloma without a single sentence written on paper. Joyce just asks you to tell her about yourself. She’ll take it from there.

Here's what Joyce’s more than twenty-five years of hosting memoir retreats at Casa Paloma has taught her:  Every writer who joins us at Write by the Lake is coming from her own unique place.  If you’re in the middle of writing a book-length memoir (stuck, maybe? Or just a little burned out?) you’ll find fresh inspiration and perspective, along with a wealth of new tools for continuing your project.  If you’ve just begun, this is a great moment to talk about it. And if you’re still in the stage of simply thinking about your story, Joyce will help you get started. 

What’s Included

Six nights of accommodations, all meals, transport, excursions, massage, yoga, and opening and closing night drinks. Basically, you just need to tip our incredible staff and bring yourself.

When you're ready to venture beyond your hammock — and you will be — we've got a lineup that reads like a bucket list:

  • 🦜 Hike the cloud forest hunting for the elusive, resplendent quetzal (we almost always find one)

  • 🌋 Watch the sun rise over all five volcanoes (yes, five)

  • ☕ Tour a coffee roastery and understand why Guatemalan coffee hits different

  • 🎨 Browse local markets and artisan workshops, including a weaving collective

  • 🍫 A cacao ceremony, because chocolate deserves reverence

  • 🔥 A profoundly moving fire-healing ceremony with the remarkable Shaman Tomas

Back at base: the sauna is fired up every morning, yoga awaits, kayaks and paddleboards are yours for the taking, and the lake swimming is — we're just going to say it — some of the best you'll ever do.

And then there's the karaoke machine. The microphones are ready. The only question is: are you?‍ ‍

Accommodations

Rooms are reserved on a first come, first served basis.

Before making your final decision, please carefully read the room description and click through the gallery of pictures. You want to be aware of each room's unique features.

A detailed illustrated map of Casa Paloma Atitlán, showing different buildings, a garden, docks, a lake with boats, paths, trees, and various amenities such as a yoga platform, outdoor kitchen, sauna, and herb garden.

Ready?

Reach out to Gina Alligood, our U.S.-based Write by the Lake manager, to learn more. Sign up early and you get first pick of accommodations at Casa Paloma.

Though honestly? Every single one of them is beautiful.

See you at the dock. 🌊

Apply for the Retreat

Questions? Email Gina Alligood — writewithjoycemaynard@gmail.com

What People Are Saying

  • “Those days with Joyce in Guatemala to dig into my story and to explore the structure of a memoir changed me as a person and a writer. The knowledge I gained equals an MFA (or two) in creative writing.”

    Mary B, Texas

  • “Each unique feature of this workshop, taken alone, is worth going back for: the creative boost to your writing, the truly divine food, and Joyce Maynard, who you really must see in action to believe.”

    Elizabeth H, Florida

  • “Great Writers who are great teachers are rare. Joyce possesses the talent to do both.”

    Priscilla B, New Hampshire

  • “When you think you’re not ready is the best time to attend a workshop offered by Joyce Maynard. Our time together was transformative to finding my voice and story.”

    — Jude S, Maine

  • “Write by the Lake gave me the clarity and confidence I needed to write my memoir. The setting alone is magical and transformative - but when combined with the teaching and support from other writers, the experience is truly life-changing.”

    — Gina B, Pennsylvania

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