My local Sacramento chapter of Romance Writers of America hosts a retreat every other year and this year we were so blessed to be able to have our retreat at the Stanford-Sierra Conference Center at Fallen Leaf Lake in Lake Tahoe.
Crystal clear Fallen Leaf Lake is protected on all sides by the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and sits at 6,300 feet in elevation. It is completely surrounded by two indigenous species of conifers; Jeffrey and White pine. Just a short walk from the lodge, civilization ends and desolation begins. Desolation Wilderness offers nearly endless hiking and breathtaking views throughout its 63,960 acres of federally protected land.
The lodge and cabins at The Camp date back to the turn of the century with some staff housing still sitting on original foundations constructed in the 1920’s. One of the famous staffers at Stanford-Sierra was John Steinbeck who worked at the camp in 1925 and helped construct many of the staff cabins. He was a popular figure at The Camp and was known to spend his down time hiking, fishing and writing by the light of his lantern at night.
Sacramento Valley Rose was honored to have Margie Lawson as our guest speaker. Margie filled our Friday night with fun and our Saturday with valuable knowledge, tips and other information to make our manuscripts sparkle and shine in a way that would capture the attention of an agent or editor.
After a long day of learning and a mouth-watering feast Saturday night, it was time to let our hair down and have some fun. We played our own special convoluted version of Wheel of Fortune, minus Vanna White and lovely prizes. Much belly-laughing ensued.
We did what writers do best with limited letters.
As the night progressed (and more wine was consumed), things got a little more raunchy.
Once the tone had been set, there was no going back and it got easier to guess the words.
Or not. Turns out, the laugh was on us. Suzanne’s a cunning fox that way.
Despite the building-shaking thunder and brilliant flashes of lightning on Saturday night and the lack of cell phone communications, a good time was had by all. The staff at the Stanford-Sierra Camp were simply the best greeting each request with a smile and offering assistance over and above what we expected. The weekend couldn’t have been more perfect.
So tell me readers, where have you experienced a little bit of writing heaven? Where have you attended a retreat that made a lasting impression on you?
Word of the day: Xebec (have fun with this one Colleen)
Fun fact about me: I used to change my own oil and filter in my car.
Great recap, Jensen! And a wonderful weekend. 😉 I wanna do it all over again.
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We will. In 2015. And the Bitch Kitties demand a rematch!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts.
Patricia
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What a great weekend! Your version of Wheel of Fortune sounds like way more fun that the TV game show. What a special treat to have Margie Lawson all to yourselves. As you know, Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite places on Earth (I think I’ve told you that at least a dozen times now!). We really need to work out a retreat between my chapter and yours. It would be epic.
Thanks for sharing your pics and the fun game!
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Hi Tameri. A joint RWA retreat in Tahoe would be amazing! We’re going back in 2015. Already booked the facility. Perhaps I could entice you to come up and join us for a weekend in the Sierras?
As always, thanks for your support.
Patricia
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I had a fantastic time. Margie was awesome! And the food… Well let’s hope that thunder shook some calories out of me. The Sac Valley Rose really out did this year’s retreat. I’m looking forward to next year. Great photos too!
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Cyndi I am so glad you came and you had a fabulous time. Margie is an amazing teacher and she always has such fun examples to illustrate her points.
Yes, the food was incredible. We’re going to get the same experience in 2015. We’ve already booked the facility. Now we just need to find a great guest speaker. Plans are under way.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. Your support is appreciated.
Patricia
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I really wish I could have gone. I wanted to — I love Margie and always learn something new!
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We missed you Allison! Hopefully in 2015 you can join us. We’re going back to the same place. Of course Margie won’t be there, but we’ll have someone equally amazing.
Thanks for stopping by and letting me know your thoughts.
Patricia
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Patricia, what a fabulous retreat! I love the Tahoe area. It’s so peaceful and serene. And then to add Margie on top of it all, well what can I say. You had a wonderful weekend. Way to go girl! 🙂
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Hi Karen. Yes, we had an amazing weekend. The weather Friday was the best ever, perfect for hiking into Desolation Wilderness. I didn’t make it into Desolation but I did hike up to Lilly lake and the second waterfall. In 2015, I’m going all the way up.
Maybe you can find a way to join us. We’d love to have you. Something to think about.
As always, thanks for your support.
Patricia
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Those mountains are beautiful, aren’t they!? I am more than pleased you all had such a great time, but how could you not have. SVR has the greatest people. From all the photos I can see how much fun you had and Margie’s great teaching skills as well. Good show for choosing this place and speaker.
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Thanks Pailsey. We missed you. Registration just isn’t the same without your lovely face.
Everyone got some great pictures. I’m hoping more people post theirs.
Thank you for your continued support.
Patricia
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FUN FUN FUN!! I know from meeting many in your chapter that it’s an awesome group! I don’t think there’s anything better than a writing retreat. They are amazing. I’ve done a few with my small critique group. We’ve become very close friends over the years and it’s a great chance for us to spend some face-to-face time together (we live all over the country) and really knuckle down and get a lot of plotting and writing done.
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Hey there my friend. So good to see you over here at the Edge of Eternity.
Yes, writing retreats are wonderful things. I wish our chapter had the resources and energy to do one every year, but alas, we have to settle for the bi-annual get-together, which is usually pretty amazing. This year we were blessed to be in Tahoe.
Thanks for your continued support. So good to see your smiling face today!
Patricia
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Bitch Kitties Rule!! It was fabulous in every way. Can’t wait for 2015!
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Hey there Bitch Kitty! We definitely need to demand a rematch in 2015 don’t’cha think?
Thanks for stopping by and letting me know your thoughts about the retreat. I am so looking forward to the next one!
Patricia
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I’m envious – all that natural beauty, fun & games with writer friends, AND Margie? My RWA chapter used to do something like this but not in several years.
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Hi Jennette. Yes, we were blessed this year by booking such a serene place at the Stanford-Sierra Camp. We’re planning our next one in 2015 at the same place.
And Marige is very inspirational. I only hope it helps me get published.
Thanks for your continued support.
Patricia
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I had such a wonderful time! In fact, I’m counting the months until we get to enjoy another conference at the Sierra Stanford Resort. Thanks for sharing the pictures! I kept the momentum going when we got back home and wrote like a madwoman, using EDITS on my WIP. Wow! It’s so much better now.
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Hi Suzanne, glad you stopped by.
Yes, Margie has a way of inspiring. Me, on the other hand, I was exhausted. I went home and slept.
As always, thanks for your support.
Patricia
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Ack! I’m so late to the party here. Your retreat looks so FUN. I’ve been to a few conferences, but nothing like this. One day!
And…speaking of one day, a trip to the Mediterranean is definitely on my bucket list. i will take a plane, probably a cruise ship, but I’m thinking a xebec is out. 🙂
How’d I do?
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AWESOME!!! I’d bet you’d be hard pressed to even find a xebec in this day and age.
Thanks for stopping by and using my word of the day in a sentence. I consider this an education blog because of my clever sharing of awesome new words.
Patricia
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Looks like a fabulous time was had by all. Appears to be a great bunch to learn and hang with. Enjoyed your recap thoroughly and am totally onboard with Tameri’s idea. Let’s all meet on the London bridge. 🙂
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The London Bridge it is. When and where?
Thanks for stopping by and re-living our fabulous time in the mountains.
Patricia
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I don’t know where my brain was on that reply. I totally mixed up my lakes. Ugh. If you want the London Bridge we’ll have to meet at Havasu. Sorry. I suck for that one.
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I was kind of hoping we were going to London. Havasu and Tahoe work, too. 😉
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All things coisdderen, this is a first class post
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[…] for fun posts and cool pictures? Check out author, Patricia, aka Jansen Schmidt. You may learn what a Xebec is, if you don’t already know. […]
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