Last fall, I noticed Jupiter, super bright in the night sky, and my writing buddy Ralph Walker saw it too. We talked about how much awe we felt looking at a planet we knew was 500 million miles away but somehow felt so close, almost within reach.
I’ve known Ralph for a few years. He’s a novelist and screenwriter, enthusiastic organizer of the #5amwritersclub community, and creator of the Unforgettable Characters and Incredible Journeys writing retreat, which is how we first connected. He read the first ten pages of my book, saw the world I was trying to create, and made powerful suggestions about how to enlarge and clarify my vision. Later I did the same for him—I read his novel pages, saw the dilemma at its heart, and suggested ways he could deepen and solidify the story.
We’ve had long conversations about the hard work of being a writer, how to navigate fear, find our authentic voice, and create stories that are both true to our own experience yet resonate with larger audiences.
Ralph and I are both dreamers. We’re the kind of people who look at Jupiter and dare to say I could probably get there.
We’re also both deeply practical: we know that if you want to go to Jupiter, you ain’t going alone. You need co-pilots, people who also have a dream of journeying to the farthest reaches of the universe and are willing to face the fear that comes with never-ending darkness, knowing it’s less scary when you face it together. And of course you need mission control, a voice in your ear helping you along the journey, pointing out obstacles you might not have noticed, offering concrete and spiritual solutions, reminding you that you are not alone.
Writing is a unique endeavor—to thrive, it needs the right balance of solitude and community. To get the words down, to work our craft, we need long hours alone. But to truly realize our creative vision, we need others—we need cheerleaders and beta readers, critics and teachers, and gurus and guides. We need to vibrate on collective frequencies, wavelengths of enthusiasm and encouragement as well as wisdom and clarity. The moment that a writer truly, deeply understands the story they are trying to tell and how to tell it is one that cannot arrive without the support of many people. It takes a village to raise a book. And to go to Jupiter.
Ralph and I are planning an out of this world creative journey that will expand your writing and your consciousness. And you’re invited.
JOURNEY TO JUPITER is a four-day, three-night writing retreat designed to help writers deepen their understanding of the stories they are trying to tell and assemble the tools and skills to execute their vision.
This retreat is aimed at writers with an existing project who want to further distill their authentic authorial voice, recognize and deepen the themes and preoccupations of their work, and come to a greater understanding of how to create narrative that transcends familiar tropes and techniques and goes into the realm beyond. This communal experience will allow each writer to tackle their greatest challenges in a supportive group environment.
We’re looking for experienced writers who want to elevate the depth and breadth of their work, who are willing to keep grappling with the hard stuff and want to support and bond with other writers. Publication history is not a factor in selection or participation. Writing experience is.
Genre is also not a concern—you might be writing memoir, romance, thriller, fantasy, sci fi, speculative or literary fiction, or something else entirely—all are welcome and will benefit from this offering. Length also isn’t a concern; it is vital that you are deeply committed to expressing yourself on the page, not that you are writing a book.
In our time together, you will develop skills that allow you to access deeper authenticity on the page, get clearer on your voice, and better execute the story you urgently want to tell.
All of these skills will stay with you long after the retreat ends and we part ways. Jupiter is in the night sky even when you can’t see it. Sometimes you have to reach for it in the dark.
Are you ready to blast off? Here are the launch coordinates:
Journey to Jupiter Writing Retreat
October 19-22, 2023
Block and Hexter Retreat Center, Lakewood, PA
Are you in? The first step is to fill out this application form. It’s not a test—we want to get to know you and your writing and understand if what we are offering can help you advance. We don’t care if you’ve published anything. We care about what you’re working on, how you’re approaching it, and what you need help with.
Applications are open now, and we’ll be accepting writers on a rolling basis. We expect the retreat to be filled by June 1.
I’m sure you have a few questions? Hit reply and ask away, or check out the FAQ.
It’s Jupiter or bust, friends. We hope you’ll join us.
Sincerely,
Mission Control
AKA Julia & Ralph