Spend five days exploring the City of Light through led writing workshops July 23-27, 2018. This year’s jaunt coincides with The Hemingway Society’s annual conference. The city will be filled with literary love!

Each day will include a leisurely breakfast followed by morning workshops and free time to explore the City of Light. Afternoons or evenings will include outings such as a picnic at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, yoga in Luxembourg Gardens, savory lunch and tea at Ladurée (bonjour rose macarons), jaunts to favorite English bookstores, a champagne cruise on the Seine, meditation in the oldest church in Paris, and additional sensory surprises.

Picture yourself writing in cafés where Hemingway and de Beauvoir wrote, sharing your literary dreams, and deepening your commitment to a writing project. In our workshops you’ll learn writing tools, tips to find your voice, ways to structure your prose, how to share your writing through social media, and more. We’ll also explore writing prompts and the science behind using writing to heal and deepen self-awareness.

There will be daily unscheduled space for exploring the city on your own by tiptoeing through the Tuileries, window shopping along the Champs Élysées, visiting Mona Lisa at the Louvre (or a favorite Monet at Musée d’Orsay), and sipping a cup of café au lait at a sidewalk café.

Our boutique hotel is perfectly located near Luxembourg gardens and, upon arrival, you’ll find a customized goody bag filled with writing and nourishing accoutrements for our journey.

This adventure is for newbies to journalers to published writers—anyone longing to connect with their creative spark and explore an inspiring city with a like-hearted, intimate group of women.

Early registration encouraged due to limited openings.

Investment: $2395
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Bonjour! Here’s a little bit about moi:

I founded Tranquil Space–named among the top 25 yoga studios in the world by Travel + Leisure, penned a few books, and design eco-fashion TranquiliT. With master’s degrees in women’s studies and social work, I am a psychotherapist in private practice. You’ll often find me sipping pots of fragrant tea, practicing yoga on a leopard-print mat, or working on the Pigs & Pugs Project.

I’ve taught writing in Washington, D.C. for over a decade and have studied journal writing to creative non-fiction to memoir. The process of creating and sharing stories is a powerful experience that I’m deeply honored to facilitate. My style is nurturing, encouraging, and offers a gentle nudge to move beyond the comfort zone. Below is a recap of a workshop participant’s experience:

Let me tell you just how good I think this was. I write for a living, and I’ve been to workshops like this in big name places that may have been just as good, but none was better. Kimberly took the pulse of the group and had just the right touch, not too passive, not too intrusive. 

 My work has been featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio, in Fast Company, Washingtonian, Yoga Journal, USNews, and numerous books. I live in a tiny raspberry-colored “Pink Palace” in Washington, D.C. with a rescue cat, a supportive beau, and three rescue pugs.

Indulge in musings on “tranquilosophy” through my blog and podcast, Tranquility du Jour. Oh, and if you’re new to this journey, peruse my start here page. Bisous.

When and where is the retreat?

July 23-27, 2018 in Paris, France.

How many spots are available?

There are ten spots available. Early registration is encouraged.

Who should attend?

This retreat is open to all levels of writers. Aspiring to published. Journal writers to journalists. Most women write letters, emails, love notes, postcards, and thoughts. That’s writing!

What is your writing teaching style?

I’ve taught writing in Washington, D.C. for years and have taken various writing courses from journal writing to creative non-fiction to memoir. The process of creating and sharing stories is a powerful experience that I’m deeply honored to facilitate. My style is nurturing, encouraging, and offers a gentle nudge to move beyond the comfort zone. Below is a recap of a workshop participant’s experience:

Let me tell you just how good I think this was. I write for a living, and I’ve been to workshops like this in big name places that may have been just as good, but none was better. Kimberly took the pulse of the group and had just the right touch, not too passive, not too intrusive. 

What books should I read in advance?

While there is no required reading for this retreat, I do have many suggested reads for those of you eager to dive in:

• On Writing by Stephen King
• Still Writing by Dani Shapiro
• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
• Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
• If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland

What is the format?

Each day will include a leisurely breakfast followed by morning writing workshops with a free afternoons or evening. The writing workshops will include writing prompts, exercises, and inspiration. You’ll learn writing tools, tips to find your voice, ways to structure your prose, how to share your writing through social media, and more. We’ll also explore writing prompts and the science behind using writing to heal and deepen self-awareness. Afternoons or evenings will include outings such as yoga in Luxembourg Gardens, savory tea time at Ladurée, jaunts to favorite English bookstores, a Seine boat tour, and meditation in the oldest church in Paris.

Will there be free time to see the sights?

Absolutely, each day will have a free afternoon or evening for you to explore Paris or simply sit in a café and write. There will be daily unscheduled space for exploring the city on your own by tiptoeing through the Tuileries, window shopping along the Champs Élysées, visiting Mona Lisa at the Louvre (or a favorite Monet at Musée d’Orsay), or sipping a cup of café au lait at a sidewalk café. Anything your heart desires.

 What’s included in my registration?

Four nights at a boutique hotel (double occupancy) with free WIFI, continental breakfast, led yoga, led writing workshops, a picnic at the Eiffel Tower, meditation, a writer’s goody bag, an afternoon lunch at Ladurée, a champagne cruise on the Seine, Metro tickets, and additional sensory surprises. Plus exclusive access to a special France podcast series, Facebook group, and private website with tips on writing, retreat preparations, and more.

What’s not included in my registration?

Airfare, transportation to hotel, and other meals.

When should I fly in and out of Paris?

We’ll have our opening gathering at 2pm on Monday so plan to arrive Monday morning with a minimum of two to three hours to travel from the airport to the hotel. The retreat ends Friday at noon, so please avoid booking a flight sooner than 4pm to allow ample time to attend the group’s closing circle and travel to the airport.

How do I get from the airport to the hotel?

You’ll receive detail instructions with various options as the retreat gets closer.

I don’t do yoga, will I be ok?

Our yoga practices will offer an opportunity to tune into the body after spending lots of time in our heads writing. All you need is a yoga mat, comfy clothing that stretches, and a basic understanding of movement. We’ll have a couple classes offered and attendance is not required. 

What should I pack?

Lots and lots of layers. The weather changes within minutes from warm sun to chilly rain, so it’s best to be prepared. You’ll receive a complete packing list as the retreat date gets closer.

I don’t speak French, can I still come?

Oui, I only know a few key phrases and get by. You’ll receive a podcast with helpful phrases to help ease any concern. Also, a basic phrasebook may be good to tote, too.

Is this retreat open to men?

Penning in Paris is only for women at this time.

Is Paris safe?

I often travel solo throughout Paris and have never felt unsafe. However, it’s important to keep a big city mentality in mind with valuables. The US Embassy website is a good resource.

How much is airfare and meals?

Flights to Paris from the U.S. are typically $600 to $1500. I try to use miles as often as possible which may be a good option for you, too. Meals range from $15-$25 at your average café.

Will I have a roommate?

Yes, all rooms are double occupancy and you will be sharing it with another participant. Many past roommates have gone on to become lifelong friends. However, you are in your room mainly to sleep and bathe so it’s a small portion of your Paris time.

When do I get an invite to join the private Facebook group?

As the retreat date gets closer, you will receive an invite to the private Facebook group.

What is the international (held outside the US) retreat cancellation policy?

No refunds will be issued for your deposit. Deposits may be transferred once only to secure a spot in an announced upcoming retreat if the cancellation is received sixty (60) days prior to the retreat minus a 10% administration fee. No refunds for your balance will be issued unless your space can be filled with someone from the waiting list. If your space is not filled from the waiting list, a credit toward future offerings will be issued only if the cancellation is received thirty (30) days prior to the retreat minus the deposit and a $500 administrative fee. No credits or refunds will be issued if cancellation is received within thirty (30) days of the event. If the event is canceled due to insufficient enrollment, your deposit and paid balance will be refunded fully.

Should I get trip cancellation insurance? 

To help insure your peace of mind, trip cancellation insurance may be an option for you. Your deposit and eventually your full payment is non-refundable. Peruse www.insuremytrip.com for program and pricing options to cover medical and dental emergencies, missed connections, lost baggage, and trip cancellation if you have an issue that keeps you from attending.