Write that book in costa rica

Treat your inner creative to glorious, dedicated writing time! Mornings are for writing and yoga, afternoons for exploration and relaxation. This retreat is geared toward women who aim to complete a short story, novella, novel, self-help/motivational book, or memoir, and who would like support and guidance in developing it, refining it, and establishing a solid writing practice.

January 8-14, 2023
Costa Rica
$3795*

Whether you’re in search of expert writing guidance, quiet relaxation time, visiting the jungle or the ocean, this retreat has it all! The best part? You don’t have to worry about a thing except getting yourself to Costa Rica. The registration button below will take you to a new site.

To ensure everyone receives the attention they deserve, this women’s writing retreat is capped at 24 participants. Registration closes November 8, 2022.

During our time together, we’ll begin each morning with gentle and centering yoga followed by a delicious, healthy breakfast. After we’re focused and oriented, we’ll set our individual writing goal for the day. Jess will provide expert writing guidance designed to help you release writing blocks, organize your time, deepen your writing experience, and map your career goals, with a bonus seminar focused on getting your work published. She’ll be joined by novelist, photographer, and certified yoga instructor Erica Ruth Neubauer.

Your afternoon is free to structure as you wish. Write on your own, take an inspiring hike, join one of the included tours, visit charming shops and art galleries nearby, schedule a massage, or nap.  We’ll come back together late afternoon to share insight and laughter.

Areas covered in the morning workshops:

• Becoming courageous, disciplined writers

• Keeping your writing true to the story you need to tell

• Plotting, character development, and creating cinematic settings

• Editing with the revolutionary ARISE method

• Defining personal and career goals

• Publishing your work, either indie or traditionally, depending on career goals

• Finding balance between your creative and professional life

• Relaxing and recentering

This retreat is for women who want to:

• Work with a master instructor who values laughter, creativity, and community

• Begin or advance a written project

• Explore the world with a fun-loving community of creatives

• Bond with interesting, joyful women

• Honor, celebrate, and strengthen their intuition

• Ground and nourish themselves

• Enjoy fresh and delicious local cuisine

• Dedicate time for creativity but also for play

• Learn how to publish their project

Jess is working with TrovaTrip on this retreat to ensure we have the best possible support in Costa Rica. That means you’ll need to leave this site to register. You can either click the blue “Register” button on this page or click here. All the fine print is below:

*Pricing includes airport transfers; six breakfasts and two dinners; four mornings of writing workshops and all workshop materials; four mornings and one afternoon yoga class; a double room at the Tamarindo Diria; a half-day river tour; a twenty-minute one-on-one with Jess or Erica Ruth; and a dedicated, full-time Spanish-speaking guide. In addition:

1. A nonrefundable 25% deposit holds your spot. Once you register, to ensure that the retreat is focused and relaxing for all participants as well as a good fit for you, you’ll be required to answer a few brief emailed questions before your place on the trip is confirmed. In the rare instance that it’s determined that the retreat is not a good fit, your deposit will not be processed. If you’d like to be emailed the questions before registering, simply email jessicalourey@gmail.com, subject line “Please Send Costa Rica 2023 Retreat Questions.”

2. Once your place on the retreat is confirmed, the rest of the retreat fees are due 60 days before the trip begins. You also have the option to use Affirm and pay in installments (option available at the final stage of booking).

3. TrovaTrip’s cancellation policy: Your down payment is fully refundable until your spot is confirmed. Once your spot is confirmed you can cancel or transfer to a different trip for a fee and receive a Trip Credit for your remaining down payment up until 60 days prior to departure. After that, the trip becomes nonrefundable.

4. Private rooms are available for $99 more a night; that option is available under "add-ons" on the third registration screen.

5. We’ve chosen locations with exemplary COVID hygiene. In addition, Costa Rica has specific requirements of all travelers. More information available here: https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements.

6. All retreat participants are required to sign this waiver before the retreat begins.

7. We're gonna have an amazing time. :)

TrovaTrip is responsible for all the bookings and accommodations, so if you have any questions about travel, transfers, down payments, dietary restrictions, refunds, etc., there’s contact information on the TrovaTrip website, or you can reach out to them at 877-698-7682 or hi@trovatrip.com. If you have questions about the workshops, please contact Jess directly at jessicalourey@gmail.com.

All workshopping follows the Amherst Writing and Artists’ model, a gentle, proven method that recognizes and nurtures the writing genius we all possess whether we are new to the process or experienced creative writers. It’s time to write that book!

What other students have said about Jess

"Jess Lourey is a rare double talent. She is an outstanding writer. Just as remarkable is Jess’ ability to teach writing to others. She clearly communicates the essence of good writing — whether it is giving a novice writer broad guidance on how to structure a novel or write sentences that grab the reader’s attention, or working with experienced writers on the fine art of wordsmithing to improve elements of pace, suspense or character development."

— Stephen T., Write That Book, July 2015

“When I signed up for Jessica Lourey ’s fiction writing workshop, I was at a low point. I was stuck. I longed to write a novel, but I didn’t know where to begin. I didn’t think I had any stories worth telling. Jess helped me realize that I have a lifetime of experiences just waiting to be tapped into, a lifetime of stories, characters, settings and plot twists. Anyone can teach the mechanics of writing, but not anyone can inspire like Jess.”

         — Tina M., Rewrite Your Life, November 2016

“I had the opportunity to take a workshop from Jess before I was published. Her honesty, encouragement, and knowledge of the craft helped me make the leap from aspiring writer to published author. I still take the lessons I learned from Jess and apply them to my daily writing routine. She truly wants to help others succeed and provides you with the tools you’ll need on every step of your journey.”

—Lissa Marie Redmond, author of A Cold Day in Hell