Writing Retreat on Curaçao
Write your book in an ancient country house
It takes a while to fly, but then Curaçao is a dream destination🙂
Curaçao is partly Dutch, partly Caribbean, with beautiful beaches, a blue sea, and its own language and culture. I have lived here for many years and have fallen in love with this island.
The writing retreat takes place in a beautiful plantation house, Landhuis Jan Thiel. The stunning plantation house is located on top of a mountain so that it always catches a wonderful breeze. There is a breath-taking view over the surrounding saltpans (a nature reserve). The house is only 30 min from the airport and near the beach. Breakfasts are made to order every day by our host Loekie, who uses local ingredients, just the way you like it.
There are several terraces, a gorgeous swimming pool, and a beautiful garden with seating areas, hammocks, and of course shade for you to sit in while working quietly on your book; literally, everything your heart desires.
During this book-writing retreat in Curaçao, you have the feeling of really getting away from it all. You will be fully looked after and will have a unique opportunity to discover this beautiful island.
“Highly recommended for people who can’t find the time in their hectic,
everyday life to focus entirely on one thing.”
Jolanda Wicherson
“Landhuis Jan Thiel is an amazing location to write your book.
It is beautiful, peaceful and it gives you the energy and inspiration to write.”
Ingeborg Boswinkel
“It makes you more decisive than when you are alone.”
Anna Raymann
A fully catered, all-inclusive book writing week
This is what you get
For a week, you don’t have to do anything but concentrate on writing your book. You will sleep in luxurious accommodation, and food and drinks will be provided.
This 1-week writing retreat includes:
Daily book-writing workshops in a relaxed setting
Personal writing coaching
Luxury accommodation
Delicious food and drink
Plenty of time to escape
Interaction with other writers
Local transport by car
Plenty of inspiration and peace to focus on your book
Program
The week is of course dominated by writing. Everyone designs their own creative ‘tropical grid’. You can adjust your schedule to your own preferences. You might like to rise extra early to take a walk through the nature reserve around the mansion, or to do some work before breakfast. By going to bed early, you will suffer less from jet lag on the island, and when you return home afterwards.
Field trips
We follow a fixed rhythm. Host Loekie makes your breakfast when you want it and exactly according to your wishes. Every morning around 10 am, I give a writing workshop on a theme that you can immediately apply after the writing workshop. Lunch is provided at the country house so that you can continue working undisturbed. If you need 1-on-1 book-writing coaching, this is always available. At the end of the afternoon or in the evening, we take a walk, go swimming, or take another mini-excursion, combined with dinner. This is the ideal combination of maximum writing time while still seeing something of the island. The results you can achieve and other general information can be found on the general writing retreat page.
Daily schedule
Day 1. Introductory dinner at which all writers introduce themselves and talk about their book ideas. Elaboration on the week ahead; and determination of the program and excursions.
Day 2. Workshop Reverse writing. Why is this so important, and how do you do it?
Day 3. Workshop structure of your book, outlining, and the writing process. Bonus: Tips for helpful writing programs.
Day 4. Workshop on everything you always wanted to know about (self) publishing, costs, prices, etc. What does a publisher pay attention to? Print or digital? My publisher and ‘publishing guru’, Jan-Willem Gerth, answers all your questions about publishing and self-publishing via a video call.
Day 5. Workshop: how do you promote your book? Advice on how to do this your way, without being too pushy. Many practical examples for social media.
Day 6. Q&A session for all outstanding questions.
Day 7. The last evening there is an official closing with a festive dinner, during which everyone reads an excerpt from their book.
Day 8. After breakfast, you can continue writing, or enjoy the pool until you leave. There is no more guidance and no further workshops on this day.
“Esther has a gift of seeing people and my inner writer feels nourished, seen and happy to share.”
Eliane Haseth
“I got a lot of tips for my fiction writing, and was even inspired to consider writing a non-fiction book!”
Tamara Neuman
“I also learned some tools for writing, cover design and other things that allow you to work so much more efficient”
Marion Schroen
“GOGOGO! In the most beautiful location, with Esther’s top-support.”
Anneke Veenendaal
Examples of what we can do
Want to discover Curaçao together?
A walk through the nature reserve of the saltpans with the dog of the house and perhaps also the house sheep, who thinks she is a dog… 🙂
Visit to Jan Thiel beach and have a pizza picnic on the beach, while we enjoy the sunset.
Circular walk in historic and trendy Pietermaai. Optional: dancing tango on Brionplein.
Tango demonstration and lesson, plus dinner at Mundo Bizarro.
Walk at St. Joris Bay, watch kite surfing and an exclusive BBQ in the ‘village’ that the windsurfers have built from wreckage.
Possibly a trip on a private yacht to a deserted bay, with a BBQ on board.
Dinner at historic De Heeren.
Lions Dive, Cuban night.
View the ruins of Fort Beekenburg and the Quarantine House.
Sunset swim at the Caracas Bay with dinner on the beach at Pop’s place.
Drink the famous ‘green rum’ with fresh coconut water in the iconic Netto bar.
Secure your place and book now
Prices of writing retreat in Curaçao
Everything is included in this price: super luxurious accommodation in the beautiful Landhuis Jan Thiel with a private pool, all meals, drinks, snacks, daily writing workshops, private guidance, and excursions. Only your trip is your additional expense. The results you can achieve and other general information can be found on the general writing-retreat page.
Every writing retreat I reserve one sponsored spot for a writer with a special story. Do you have a good reason to want to join us at a reduced rate? Send me an email at [email protected] with a description of your situation and your book plans.
Extra affordable if you live on Curaçao
Special deal for locals
If you live on Curaçao and want to participate in my writing retreat, there is a special ‘locals’ deal. There is a lot of talent on the island. I’d like to give that a chance!
I know it’s hard to pay in Euros when you earn in Nafl, and I want to help the locals write their books, so consider this a ‘scholarship’.
The deal is as follows: you spend the night in your own house, provide your own breakfast and dinner and come to Landhuis Jan Thiel for the daily workshops, lunch, and personal guidance. You are welcome to join (own expense) our evening ‘excursions’ and dinner.
It is important that you arrive every morning in time for the 10 am workshop (be mindful of traffic!) and be at the ‘closing’ of the day by the end of the afternoon. We can be flexible in the timing if you let us know in advance. Try to keep outside obligations to a minimum so you can get the most out of the writing week.
Let’s make Curaçao proud by publishing your book.
PS. If you want to write in Papiamentu; I understand enough to give you good directions for your book.
They were on Curaçao
Robin, Anna, Anneke and Jolanda talk about their experiences – and results – during the writing retreat on Curaçao.
Travel information
If you don’t delay, you can already find a return ticket to Curaçao for less than €500 via the KLM world deal for weeks and TUI offers.
If several people come on the same flight, a taxi from the airport can be shared. If you take another flight, or if you are already on the island, please make sure that you are at the Landhuis well in time for the introductory dinner.