A Master Class in Memoir

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Come to the High Peaks of New York’s Adirondack Mountains October 22-27, 2014, the most gloriously colorful season in this spectacular place…and write with a master.

In a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, workshop your memoir with Abigail Thomas, author of A Three Dog Life, selected as one of the Best Books of 2006 by the LA Times and the Washington Post. Of Abigail’s book, Thinking About Memoir, Anne Lamott said, “It is beautiful, charming, funny, painful, and will be of indescribable value and inspiration to anyone who wants to write anything.”

The author Abigail Thomas as photographed by Jennifer May

photo by Jennifer May

Read more about Abigail’s other books. 

As Abigail describes it, in writing memoir there is so much to find out.

Once in a while you come too close to an uncomfortable truth, and your writing goes flat, and your instinct might be to change the subject. But this is the most interesting of moments. There is so much to be found out. You can either stare at the page and realize hot dog, this is a safe to be cracked, or you can crawl under the covers and take a nice nap.

At this point in your writing career, you may be working on a specific project, or just formulating one. This is your opportunity to have one of the most beloved and respected teachers of memoir guide you in the direction you’re meant to go.

You’ll work with Abigail and an intimate group of eight other dedicated and experienced writers.

Abigail’s famous and highly original assignments are designed to spark new ideas and to lead you down unexpected paths.

At the very least, assignments can provide a writer with a nicely stocked larder, and some notion of where the mind goes when it’s off its leash. And once in a while, if we’re lucky, an assignment helps you find the side door into a story you’ve been staring too directly in the eye.

Dartbrook Lodge, a setting with a “pitch-perfect style and majestic location” as described by the New York Times, will serve as oasis and inspiration. Relax in the evenings in your own private cottage. Pamper yourself with handmade soaps and luxurious linens. Enjoy gourmet meals specially made with local ingredients by a personal chef, onsite just for our retreat.

Share, laugh and learn.

Come to the mountains to meet Abigail, the great writer and teacher; bid a fond farewell to Abby, your lifelong friend.

We truly hope you’ll join us at the Dartbrook Writers Retreat, recently named by the Sydney Morning Herald as one of “the world’s best writers’ retreats.”

Dartbrook Writers Retreat 2015

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Come to the High Peaks of New York’s Adirondack Mountains,                October 14-19, 2015 – the most colorful and glorious season in this spectacular place – and write with master storyteller, writer, director and actor Stephen Tobolowsky.

In a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, workshop your writing project with Stephen, author of The Dangerous Animals Club, a series of stories that form a non-linear memoir. Each story stands on its own, and yet larger themes are woven throughout the book, in Stephen’s uniquely funny voice.

His storytelling skill is on display in the wonderful film, Stephen Tobolowsky’s Birthday Party, which his friends helped him make, in order to keep some of his classic stories for posterity. This film led to a popular podcast, The Tobolowsky Files. The podcast in turn led to a radio program on Public Radio International, Stephen’s book, and several sold-out live shows. Stephen and podcast partner David Chen have also created a new film, The Primary Instinct, currently showing at film festivals. As if that’s not enough, Stephen and David recently started a new podcast, Big Problems. 

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photo by David Carlson

USA Today lists Stephen as the 9th most frequently seen actor in movies; he has appeared in over 200 movies and television shows. Just where have you seen him? As Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day, as Alan on Comedy Central’s hilarious Big Time in Hollywood, FL, Tor Ekland on Seinfeld, Hugo Jarry on Deadwood, Sandy Ryerson on Glee and Stu Beggs on Californication. Yes, him!

As an actor, Stephen has spent a lifetime reading scripts. He’s passionately interested in what makes a story successful. Stephen has become a respected teacher of both writing and improvisation, and uses both to uncover story components.

This combination yields an infinite array of inspiration, and inspiration is just one topic we’ll explore at our retreat. We’ll also examine methods of story construction, and ways to discover the real story. Along the way, we’ll work on comedy theory.

At this point in your writing career, you may be working on a specific project, or just formulating one. Stephen’s famous and highly original assignments are designed to spark new ideas and to lead you down unexpected paths in your writing. This is your opportunity to have a creative and masterful teacher of memoir guide you in the direction you’re meant to go.

You’ll work with Stephen and an intimate group of eight other dedicated and experienced writers.

Dartbrook Writers Retreat was created by writer/editor Kitty Sheehan, as a unique way for a small group of writers to work with a master.

Dartbrook Lodge, a setting with a “pitch-perfect style and majestic location” as described by the New York Times, will serve as oasis and inspiration. Relax in the evenings in your own private cottage. Pamper yourself with handmade soaps and luxurious linens. Enjoy gourmet meals specially made with local ingredients by our personal chef, onsite just for our retreat.

Share, laugh and learn.

Come to the mountains to meet Stephen, the great actor, writer and teacher; bid a fond farewell to Tobo, your lifelong friend.

We truly hope you’ll join us at the Dartbrook Writers Retreat, recently named by the Sydney Morning Herald as one of “the world’s best writers’ retreats.”