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Meet THe Team
In this mini-retreat at Blue Springs Creek Retreat in Ashland City, we invite you to slow down and dedicate a few hours to your craft—to allow your mind wander along with the crystal-clear creek, and let your ideas trickle and then pour onto the page. Join us for an afternoon of exploring and writing, with a focus on getting to the essence of a thing, observation, or idea, through a prose poem, micro essay, or flash CNF. In these short forms, a key message, epiphany, or transformation should strike you (and the reader) in a flash in the same way a flashbulb of a camera illuminates a scene and captures a moment.
We will start with a craft chat on these closely-related genres, reading work by Ada Limon, Andrea Gibson, and others, followed by a few inspirational prompts. We will then spread out on the five-acre property for a fifteen-minute walk about, nature bathing, or stream gazing as you brainstorm ideas and metaphors, and we’ll then find a quiet nook indoors or outdoors for an hour plus of in-class writing. We will gather for the remaining time to share work and discuss the process of writing surrounded by lush nature, discussing surprises, challenges, and enjoying literary community. Those interested can end the afternoon with a refreshing dip or wading in the spring-fed waters of Blue Springs Creek.
You might come away with a tight or finished piece, but more importantly we hope you enjoy the process, and have a productive and fulfilling day in an inspiring environment, soothing your body, mind, and soul.
• In-Class Writing Lift: Medium
• Homework: None
• Workshopping Drafts: None
Christie Grotheim’s debut novel, The Year Marjorie Moore Learned to Live, was published in 2019 by Heliotrope Books and was a finalist for best new novel from the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Her stories have been featured in SWING, The Harpy Hybrid Review, Salon.com, The New York Observer, Mr. Beller’s Neighborhood, Petrolicious.com, and The Dodge, among others. In 2020, Grotheim and her husband relocated from Manhattan to Ashland City, where after a couple of long years of renovations and manual labor, she’s finally realizing her dream of hosting writers’ retreats on the property (Blue Spring Creek Retreats @bluepsringcreekretreats), in collaboration with The Porch, where she’s also a creative writing instructor.
"Christie Grotheim provides incredibly helpful feedback and constructive ideas for students of all levels during class discussions. She is a thoughtful reader who provides great materials on elements of craft. I look forward to taking classes with her again!"
“Christie Grotheim’s experience as an author creates an atmosphere that is open and constructive, and, as a reader, she provides thoughtful critiques that help you reassess your own work with a fresh perspective. She is approachable and enthusiastic. But, equally important, she’s a fun hang!”
"Christie's class was the perfect mix of instruction, practice, and discussion."
