Lori Ries

Jul 08, 2009 8:00 AM EDT

I was one of the fortunate writers at Lori's Writing from the Heart retreat and am SO happy that I was. This Founders Workshop takes you from your busy life and cocoons you for a week in a beautiful natural environment where others take care of your every need (and feed you lavishly) so you can focus on your writing. Each morning began with a talk from Lori and writing prompts that allowed us to share our quick writes and laugh and become close. The rest of the day was for wallking in the woods if desired, and writing, writing, writing.

There was no TV, no cell phones (bring a calling card), no distractions of any kind. The private cabins are anything but rustic. In fact, The Muse lives in a cabin at Boyds Mills!

I found that when the frantic waters of my life had leisure to settle and still, my mind also cleared. I came to the workshop with one story in need of work, and left with five--three of them ready for submission.

There are many educational opportunities for your writing. If you want one that combines quality instruction, helpful critiques, a small friendly learning group, and an experience that is good for your body and soul as well as your mind, the Founders Workshops are the investment to make. I plan to go again.

- Pat Miller

Jul 15, 2009 9:07 AM EDT

I've been asked where I am primarily a picture book author, if "Writing From the Heart" serves YA writers as well. The answer to this question is absolutely. Daily workshop topics span genres.
I love to write YA, and have completed three full novels myself.

Kim Griswell, writer and Highlights editor, joins me on site at Boyds Mills so that together we can work to serve all the writers that attend this retreat. We meet daily for half-hour sessions, one on one, with each writer. It's a lot of fun, and I'm grateful to Kim for accepting the invitation. Kim is well versed in novels, and writes a lot of nonfiction as well. This makes it so that everyone's needs are met.

- Lori Ries

Aug 24, 2009 7:55 AM EDT

To all writers out there - click onto the Highlights Foundation website and do whatever it takes to get yourself to Boyds Mills PA, so you can spend a week with Lori Ries and Writing From the Heart. When you arrive, you'll find the truest of literary homes filled with kindered spirits who honor the craft of writing.

I've been blessed to have spent the past two years under Lori's constructive counsel and keen eye. Through the exchange of ideas, she's helped me connect to my characters from a three-dimensional perspective, and my writing has jumped levels ahead of where I began.

We, as writers, have this iconic place in Boyds Mills, where we can get away from the clutter of everyday life; constant phone calls, piles of junk mail, and the contiuous tug from people who want our attention. To spend a week in these rolling hills of PA, in a modern cabin alone with pen, paper and a laptop, working one-on-one with a professional mentor (Lori Ries), and getting fed by a gourmet chef is a week of eutopia. There's no other place like it on earth, and is worth every penny and more.

- Sally Flannery

Dec 31, 2011 12:11 PM EST

How beautifully put. This is my new favorite poem. Thank you.

- Mollie Bowring