There is a jewel in southwest Ontario where a natural paradise meets an idyllic getaway. It’s the island of Pelee! Nicknamed the best kept secret in Canada for its island charm, its history and its various landscapes. And one of the best places to stay on the island, especially for budding writers, is the Maison du Livre de l’Île Pelee. I had the opportunity to participate in one of the writing pensions of the book and I learned a lot about myself and writing. Discover what the Maison du Livre de l’Île Pelee is, a little on the magic island of Pelee, and 7 things that I learned by participating in a retreat from writers.
The Maison du livre de l’île de Pelee is mainly a Retirement of writers. But you can also rent it between pensions as a holiday home. Property and exploited by the poet Dawn Kresan, she created the Book House to help bring together promising writers to inspire them to produce their best writing with the support of professionals of profession with their peers. “”The workshops provide writers with excellent comments on their work and you can choose the brain of a literary master, but for me at least, I think that the support and encouragement you get during a retirement creates an invaluable workshop experience which is, as if it is not more important, than handwritten critics“Say Dawn.
The first writing pensions began in spring 2017 for renowned success. With emblematic Canadian authors as instructors on various theme pensions, such as Margaret Atwood and Paul Vasey. Pensions range from a weekend to complete 7-day stays and include delicious treated meals, workshops and with the possibility of adding organized visits.
The house of books on Pelee Island is full of inspiration, from ancient writing machines to quotes framed by classic authors, and there is even a library. This large 5 -bedroom beach house has a large comfortable living room, a large kitchen and an equipped dining room, 3 bathrooms, a veranda, outdoor seats and a private sandy beach to look at sunrise or wander for sea glass. By going with the theme of writers, each room bears the name of a Canadian author, like Alistair Macleod, Joyce Carol Oates and of course Margaret Atwood.
It was early September and I had just enjoyed an excellent weekend Explore Stratford. Stratford was an ideal stop halfway for my road trip to catch the ferry to Pelee Island. And it was the perfect time to visit the island of Pelee. September meant a good weather and fewer tourists. The sun shone, the air refreshing when leaving the water, and I couldn’t be more excited – and nervous! I was delighted to explore a new Ontario domain that I had never been before and the opportunity to finally dig my writing. I had chosen to participate in the retirement of the Memoirs of the Book House. But I was nervous at the idea of carrying my life story and writing with foreigners.
I did not know that me and the 5 other participants, with our instructor, Paul Vasey, almost immediately became close friends. I guess it is inevitable to start worrying about someone when he shares his life story, the truth, the guts and the triumph, day after day. The retirement of writers was 7 days, the time spent every morning in a workshop oriented to help refine our writing. And for the most part, the rest of the day was as we wish, whether more writing, an outing or exploring the island.
These mornings spent learning were invigorating with exhausting. We would learn different ways to improve our writing, then be sent to write an article using these new skills. Returning to this comfortable kitchen table was more than not anything other than comfortable. We read our pieces, some with trembling voices, some with tears in the corners of their eyes, and all with our exposed hearts. We would criticize ourselves the pieces of the other, share the forces and the areas to be improved. I was blown away by these incredible people. Apparently, everyday people, some having a daily life while others had extraordinary, and all with such an amazing writing. It was simply inspiring.
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The first mornings were spent writing in the library or enjoying fresh hot coffee and pipes watching the sun get up for a new day. Lunches and dinners have been taken care of with a room that has never stopped selling our appetites. Each meal was delicious. We all sit down around the table by sharing more of our lives which seemed to be a million kilometers away, to talk about jokes and to enjoy the time well spent with people who really understood you. And the late evenings were spent with a glass of Pelee Island wine, chatting of premises, crazy life stories or reading a piece of our writing while sitting in the lightly enlightened living room wrapped in the heat of acceptance.
Even if there were technically seven foreigners in a five -bedroom house with three bathrooms, there was always a place to escape and I never had the impression that we had to sacrifice our space or our time. I appreciated a spacious room with another participant with a large office, a comfortable bed and a view of the water. And while I brought my car to the ferry, Dawn is accommodating for those who do not have a vehicle by transferring you to and from the Maison du livre de l’île de Pelee and the ferry quay.
It was seven days since I will never forget. I widened in my past to push a powerful and authentic writing. And I learned so much, not only from our patient and our wise instructor, but also from other participants. And I learned a lot from myself. I gave in to the process and I feel like I am reaping the rewards. I arrived a girl who liked to write. And left with tools and confidence to become a writer.
1. Of course, one of the number one things that each writer must learn is the watch, do not say! And boy, was he a recurring theme in this retreat from writers. It is imperative that you create an image to bring your reader to your story.
- Another important thing I learned was to see objectively my writing. I learned to look at my work and see where I had to edit. Whether I liked this line or this paragraph, sometimes it simply does not work, it does not propel or does not help tell the story, so it is on the floor of the cut room.
- One of my new favorite quotes is: “You are authorized to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously», By Sophia Bush. And this quote has become even more powerful when I learned to own my words when the writers retirement. I don’t need to apologize for my writing, I just have to own it.
- It is intimidating to sit down to write a memory, or any big writing, especially when you pour your heart. But I learned at the Maison de Books on Pelee Island to simply take it bird by bird – or for those who do not know the reference, word by word. Do not be overwhelmed by the situation as a whole and the final work, simply take it by word or scene by scene. You will get there.
- By writing, we generally connect our work when we modify it. But I learned how important it is and much easier to modify a song when you read it aloud. It is by reading aloud that you take over these annoying sentences and words that do not correspond, and you can find distractions to the readers who come out of your story.
- Another great advice that I removed from the retirement of the writers of the house of the house was instead of trying to work through a room when you feel stuck on another room. Perhaps a different scene or chapter. The important thing is to continue writing. And then come back to this room with new eyes, you will find it easier to overcome it.
- And one of my favorite things that I learned, or maybe it was simply reiterated to the book Maison, is that Everyone has a story.
The island of Pelee is located in the western basin of Lake Erie and covers 10,000 acres. The island is known for its monarch migration, its sandy beaches, its quiet beauty, and in the spring is a buzz with amateur ornithologists for spring migration. The best part of the island is its small feeling of the island, with artistic inhabitants, various landscapes to explore and some of the best sun leans in Ontario. For lovers of nature, there are a lot of trails to hike, endangered species to spot and an incredible richness of birds. For others, there is a cellar that offers visits and tastings, a small museum, eclectic stores and a coffee that sells the best butters in southern Ontario.
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