LAURIE ANN DOYLE

Laurie Ann Doyle is the author of World Gone Missing, which New York Times bestselling writer Edan Lepucki called a “gorgeous debut.” Winner of the Alligator Juniper National Fiction Award and a Pushcart Prize nomination, her work appears in McSweeny’s, Alta Journal, The Santa Fe Literary Review. Under the Sun, The Los Angeles Review, and elsewhere. She teaches at The Writers Grotto and UC Berkeley Extension. Find her at www.laurieanndoyle.com

Did the retreat meet your expectations?  

It far surpassed them!

What was the most unexpected part of your stay?

The just plain beauty of living at the edge of a vineyard.

What was the most enjoyable aspect of your retreat?

How much I was inspired by my fellow writers to keep writing even when I was sure I was done, but I wasn't.

Did the vineyard setting inspire you and/or your writing? In what ways?

Absolutely! Just waking up to see the mist rising off the dormant vines was an experience I will never forget. Walking through the vineyard and smelling the slight spice of the wild mustard was energizing. Seeing that Dry Creek was anything but dry (we arrived after the torrential rains in January) seemed somehow metaphoric.

What did you work on during the retreat?

My novel is set in both Healdsburg and San Francisco; the main character is the daughter of a vintner. I was able to conduct critical research -- including studying 100-year-old articles in the Healdsburg Tribune at the Historical Society and just taking in what the air smelled like -- while I was at West Wines. I also finished an entire chapter in five days, something I'd never done before. It was an amazingly productive week!

What other activities did you do during the retreat—any napping, hiking, or exploring the local area?

We enjoyed sampling the array of West Wines wines, explored the wineries on Dry Creek Road, sampled some of the best dining around in downtown Healdsburg, and stared up at the stars on the cold, clear nights. Hot-tubing was an added bonus!

Did you participate in any activities or events arranged by the host winery? If so please elaborate.

Yes, we enjoyed several wine tastings, including an amazingly delicious champagne. Our hosts were exceptionally welcoming from the very first day to the last.

If your retreat was a co-residency do you have any advice or tips for future applicants that wish to apply and work together?

I'd suggest setting a few agreements beforehand, including where and when you want to write during the day, how you will handle buying food and making meals, and whether you want to share a page or two at the end of the day. I found reading a sample of my work aloud to my fellow writers very useful.

A co-residency works best, I believe, when you know your fellow writers and their work. This might include being in a writing group together, sharing a writing office, etc.

Can you sum up your experience in eight to ten words?

An amazingly productive and exceptionally beautiful experience!

Any other comments, impressions, and surprises about the retreat you wish to convey?

The reception was enjoyable and inspiring. It's an event I'd recommend continuing.

Marcy Gordon