Solo Weekend Writing Retreats

Dedicate a Weekend to Your Creativity

Each solo retreat starts Friday afternoon and ends Sunday morning
Located in Albuquerque, NM

Solo writing retreats are so valuable as an opportunity to

• Change your scenery and dedicate time to your work in progress
• Gain new insights by breaking out of your regular writing habits
• Create a time-limited container to focus on making a specific type of progress
• Get lots and lots of words on the page
• Revise or edit in a quiet, nurturing space

Sandia Starforgers hosts weekend (Friday – Sunday) solo retreats for writers in the private home of the founder.

How you spend your time will be up to you.

You will have the chance to…

• Enjoy a private, sunny room. You’ll have your own, private room in the founder’s home, featuring a writing desk, queen size bed, fast wifi, coffee pot, mini fridge, storage space, personal climate control, and two windows (north-facing and east-facing with a mountain view).
  
• Eat a nutritious breakfast. Inspired by a traditional bed and breakfast, the first meal of the day will be provided. Options will include a hot or cold breakfast. Snacks are also available.
• Make progress on your writing. Whether you’re starting a new project, deep into plotting/drafting, or in the revising or editing stages, you’ll have hours of uninterrupted time to make measurable progress.
• Receive personalized guidance and support. Through journaling prompts and an opportunity for an Unlocking Session with the Sandia Starforgers founder, you can overcome writer’s block.
  
• Relax in a peaceful environment. Soak up the sun, enjoy the hot tub, or watch the birds. The retreat location is in a quiet, centrally-located neighborhood in Albuquerque with a spacious back porch and numerous bird feeders.
• Take an optional break to explore. If you’d like to build in a break, you’ll be escorted to (and accompanied around, if desired) a cultural spot of your preference, such as a chocolatier, walking path, or bookstore.

FAQs:

What's the cost?
The cost is $300 + taxes and fees. That includes lodging for two nights, two breakfasts, daily snacks/coffee/tea, an unlocking session, writing journal prompts, transport to/from the airport/train station, and an exploration break.

Do I get the whole house to myself?
No, you’ll be a guest of Marie Parks, the founder of Sandia Starforgers, in her private home. You’ll have full and complete access to the guest room, which is set up to accommodate writers. Marie will not disturb you in the guest room. You’ll also have access to common areas in the house, such as the living room, dining area, kitchen, front porch, back porch, and hot tub. The only area off-limits is Marie’s bedroom and office. Read more about Marie here.

Are there any pets on the property?
Yes! There are two rescue dogs (chihuahua mixes) who LOVE people. While guests are not in the home, they wander around the house, so please do not book this retreat if you are allergic to dogs.

What is the schedule?
You will create your own schedule. The purpose of this solo retreat is to give you uninterrupted time to work on your writing, at your own pace. There are just a few items to take note of:

• Check in is on Friday as early as 4:00 p.m. An airport or train station pickup can be arranged at no cost.
• Breakfast will be available Saturday and Sunday mornings at the time of your choosing. Most food allergies and dietary needs can be accommodated; please specify early.
• Check out is on Sunday as late as 12:00 p.m. An airport or train station transfer can be arranged at no cost.
• You may request up to one out-of-the-house activity be included in your retreat (examples: trip to a bookstore or stationary store, stroll around Albuquerque’s historic Old Town, a gentle hike or walk, dining out at a restaurant with or without the founder, Marie — your preference).
• You may request one 20-minute Unlocking Session with Marie during the retreat.

While Marie will be in the house with you, she will remain quiet and out of your way as much as possible, so you can have a peaceful experience.

What amenities are available?
Available amenities in your room include:

• Welcome goodie basket
• Writing journal prompts
• Private cooling and heater unit in your room so you can set your own temperature
• Queen bed
• Writing desk
• Wifi
• Mini fridge
• Coffee maker and supplies
• Ceiling fan
• 2 windows, including a mountain view (a peaceful little peek of the Sandias!)
• Luggage rack
• Clothing storage

Available amenities in the house include:

• Hot tub with towels
• Back deck with ample seating and a shade umbrella
• Front porch with mountain view and bird feeders
• Washer and dryer
• Fully outfitted kitchen
• Daily breakfasts and snacks, plus coffee and tea
• Hair dryer
• Dining table
• Living room couch and armchair with TV (Netflix, Prime, Chromecast)
• Dog cuddles

Available services:

• Airport/train station transfer
• Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings, coffee + tea available all day, snacks available all day
• Optional break, including a ride to (and accompaniment around if desired) a cultural spot of your preference, including a restaurant, walking path, or bookstore.
• Optional Unlocking Session, where you can spend 20 minutes discussing a writing hurdle with Marie

Why might I NOT want to participate in a solo writing retreat with Sandia Starforgers?
Here are a few reasons why this experience might not be right for you.

• You will be a guest of the Sandia Starforgers founder, Marie Parks, in her private home. You will be sharing the home with Marie and her pets. If you'd prefer an entirely private space, this is not an ideal retreat for you.
• There is only one bathroom in the home. You will not have your own bathroom.
• The house is one story with an approximately 2-inch threshold to enter. There is a step up onto the porch from the backyard. The shower is a bathtub/shower combo. Please bear this in mind if you have accessibility needs.
• Albuquerque is located “at elevation,” situated 5,400 feet above sea level. This can cause elevation sickness and adverse reactions in some people.
• There are no classes, pitch sessions, or other structured activities. You will largely make your own schedule.
• Breakfast, snacks, coffee, and tea are provided, but lunches and dinners are not.
• We suggest you do not bring a family member or friend with you. This is your precious opportunity to step away from your daily life and make some serious progress on your writing. If you wish to bring someone with you regardless, there will be an upcharge to cover their breakfasts.

What are the policies?
Refunds are not offered because of the effort that goes into making your experience as personalized and wonderful as possible. If you need to change the date of your solo retreat, please email Marie. We will do our very best to accommodate your request to reschedule within 12 months of your original booking.

No harassment, stalking, or bullying is permitted. If this behavior takes place, we reserve the right to dismiss you effective immediately from the retreat without a refund and refuse to re-admit you to any related future events or solo retreats.

You acknowledge we can’t be held responsible for your outcomes from this retreat. We make no guarantees that you will have a particular level of success with your writing or any other outcome, now or in the future.

What does the location look like?
Here are some photos of the house!

Your private room:

The (shared) living room:

The (shared) kitchen:

The (shared) back porch:

The view from the house; it's located in a residential area:

The hot tub (this is in a shared area in the back yard, but you'll have full access to it): 

The pets who can keep you company, if desired (rescue dogs, Mitchell and Maya):

Any other questions? Email Marie at: marie @ marieparks dot com.