.png)
La Crosse Workshop Schedule
We're so glad you're coming to LaCrosse! Our goal is to provide you with a beautiful and comfortable place to create. That means all sessions are 100% optional to attend. We understand that each of you may be in different places on your creative journey and have designed our workshops to suit all levels. We can't wait to see you at the retreat!
Monday, Sept 30
8 - 9 am
Breakfast
Welcome and Introductions
9 - 10:30 am
Heroine Material
Meet our incredible guests Colonel Jennifer Nolan, U.S. Army and Saadia Coppedge! This Q&A session will give you the opportunity to learn from and about these incredible women. Whether you are looking for character or story inspiration or tips and strategies for increased productivity and career focus.
10:30 -12 pm
Plein Air sketch/Write on the River - Meet in the Hotel Lobby
Join Deanna as she sets up in Riverside Park (weather dependent) to write and sketch along the banks of the Mississippi River (alternate weather location TBD).
12 - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 - 3 pm
Creative Manifestation Using the Bird's Eye Method
Have you ever had an idea for a creative project but didn’t know where to start? The goal of this session is to flesh out the creative dream you’ve tucked away in the back of your brain using the Bird’s Eye method so you can take it from imagination to reality.
3 - 5 pm
Dark Reflections Planning Meeting
This session is for the Dark Reflections participants only.
Tuesday, October 1
8 - 9 am
Breakfast
9 - 10:30 am
Situational Character Building
When building our characters, we often focus on the demographic part (name, physical appearance, occupation, hobbies) but character building is so much more. It's about knowing who your characters are as people and how they are going to react to the situations we put them in as the author.
10:30 -12 pm
Believable Dialogue
Dialogue is an essential part of the novel but can be difficult to write convincingly. This session focuses on ways to make your dialogue more natural thereby making your characters realistic.
12 - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 - 3 pm
Dark Reflections Planning Meeting
This session is for the Dark Reflections participants only
​
Scavenger Prompt - Meet in the Hotel Lobby
The Antique Center of La Crosse and Kroner's Hardware house some of the most interesting finds. Explore these shops and discover a world of stories within their walls.
3 - 6:30 pm
La Crosse Queen Paddlewheel River Cruise - Riverside Park
Join us for a 3-hour cruise on the Mississippi River aboard the LaCrosse Queen paddlewheeler. We'll enjoy light appetizers and drinks as we head upriver to lock number 3.
Wednesday, October 2
8 - 9 am
Breakfast
9 - 10:30 pm
Dark Reflections Planning Meeting
This session is for the Dark Reflections participants only
​​
Painting/Writing at the cafe - Meet in the Hotel Lobby
Join Deanna as she sets up at the Grounded Cafe downtown LaCrosse to write and sketch what we see before us
10:30 - 12 pm
​Creative Journaling
We’ll share techniques and prompts to help you set intentions for your day and jumpstart your creative day through the practice of art journaling. Art supplies provided.
12 - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm
World Building with Maps
Maps aren’t just for fantasy novels and RPGs. Maps can help you ground your story and create a foundation for your setting and characters. This workshop is for writers and gamers who want to design, develop, or have a strong interest in maps and map-making. During this session, you will also create your very own map and receive live feedback from instructors and peers.
No artistic skills are required.
8 pm
La Crosse Ghost Tour
Join us for a spooky exploration of historic downtown La Crosse and where we'll be introduced to some residents who simply refuse to leave. Bartenders, restaurateurs and great lovers of the theater will be among the ghostly city dwellers you will hear about.
Thursday, October 3
9 - 5 pm
Exploring La Crosse - Meet in Hotel Lobby
Join us as we take you to our favorite spots around La Crosse. We'll enjoy the sights, good food, great beer, and a little inspiration!
​
​