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Craftwork, creative restoration, & community

June 20-22, 2025

Cost: $595

We believe that inspiration and energy come from feeding ourselves creatively.

Whether you’re between projects, just starting, or well into a draft, our weekend will offer support, sacred time, stimulation, and shared wisdom.

During our 5th annual FLWW, you’ll generate new work, deepen your creative goals, and connect with a community of writers.

Join us

Faculty & workshops

WHO AM I WRITING FOR?

w/ DESHAWN MCKINNEY
As writers, this is a question that evokes emotions ranging from loathing to gratitude, depending on your approach to crafting your work. But it’s one that has either been asked or will be asked for any project that's meant for public consumption.
In this workshop, we’ll read and discuss a number of examples to explore how different writers have answered this question in the work itself. In addition, we’ll explore the audiences your work is meant for and how your writing aligns to help guide your revision process and fine-tune one aspect of telling the story of your story.
WRITING IN PIECES: FRAGMENTS, MOSAICS, COLLAGE

w/ CHRISTOPHER CHAMBERS
A linear narrative is one way to tell a story, but not the only way. Another approach, regardless of genre, is to build a narrative through the accumulation of fragments, piece by piece.
In this workshop, we’lll read and discuss a range of works constructed in this way, and through in-class writing prompts, we’ll write a series of original short pieces connected by theme or subject. We will look at the way fiction and nonfiction writers and poets compress and fragment towards a larger whole, and at the ways in which the space between text, that which is missing, functions to help create a world.
EMBRACING THE MESS

w/ MICHELLE WILDGEN
Writers need to allow space for the unexpected.
When those weird and often vital creative ideas appear, the writer also needs to figure out how to use them.
In this generative workshop, we’ll write from a prompt and then discuss what felt most alive and what to do with it.
Embracing the messiness in creative work means you have to be ready to take a few risks, let go of material, and follow the path you’ve created.
BUILDING CREATIVE RESILIENCE

w/ SUSANNA DANIEL
Less a craft workshop than a guide to strengthening and deepening your regular creative life, our time together will focus on the myths and mindsets that keep us from finding creative meaning and joy.
We’ll start by looking at what working writers say about their best creative habits, then get honest with ourselves about how our own fears and insecurities keep us creatively stymied.
Finally, we’ll dismantle the blocks that keep us from making progress, and make plans to make practical, painless changes to find more creative joy in our daily lives.

What to expect

All four of our inspiring instructors will lead workshops over the course of the weekend, and each writer will attend all of them.

We’ll provide a light breakfast and lunch Saturday, and breakfast Sunday.

NEW this year: We’ll host an open-mic social hour at Lake City Books on Saturday night.

Out-of-towners can arrange to stay at the locally owned Madison Concourse Hotel or at one of a number of nearby hotels.

Join us

“The retreat was very important to me as a person and as a writer. I learned so much and met so many wonderful writers. A really special experience.”
“I was so happy with the experience! I loved learning about form with Deshawn and using time effectively with Chris. I received extremely helpful feedback on my stories with Susanna and Michelle, and I loved reading my cohorts’ work.”
“I learned so much and began applying all I learned to my writing right away.”
“I really enjoyed it! I left with new ideas and inspiration. I loved the book exchange!”
“I had a great time flexing my writing muscles and getting some different perspectives.”

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“I felt entirely in my comfort zone. The topics covered in the breakout sessions were all new to me, and I’ve been to many similar writer’s workshops, eg, Write by the Lake. I came away from FLWR with solid craft tips (thanks, Deshawn! thanks, Chris!). Grateful!”

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“You all did a great job of keeping discussions moving, not getting stuck, staying on point.”

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“Honestly exceeded expectations. The level of discussion was quite high. I appreciated the relaxed vibe and collegial atmosphere.” — PZ