Wellspring Literary Escape: The Porches Edition

February 25-28, 2027 · Four days, three nights · Norwood, Virginia

Relax into a small community space that welcomes your words, your quirks, and your ideas.

Join me for four days devoted to writing and to the company of people who understand how an entire afternoon can disappear into one paragraph (or a sentence!)

The Porches, a lovingly restored historic farmhouse built in 1854, tucked into a serene hillside in Norwood, Virginia, will be our space. It's about an hour and a half from Richmond, three hours from Washington, D.C., and roughly a million miles from your work inbox.

Cindy Cunningham, an experienced instructor and retreat leader with more than three decades of literary expertise, will offer thoughtful guidance and practical writing strategies. We'll take the work seriously with plenty of laughter along the way.

What's waiting for you

• Room to write. Dedicated individual writing time to settle into real creative flow, plus group writing sessions to explore strategies, work through creative blocks, and write alongside kindred spirits (only four attendees).

• A welcoming literary community. A safe, inclusive space to share experiences, exchange ideas, and enjoy conversations with people who also have complicated relationships with their drafts.

• A setting with stories of its own. The farmhouse has been standing since 1854. It doesn't care about your word count. It just offers peace, natural beauty, and, of course, porches.

With just four attendees, this is an intimate retreat: small enough that nobody gets lost, big enough for real connection.

We can't promise you'll finish your book, essay, or poems. We can promise you'll leave with more written, new strategies in your pocket, and good company behind you.

Reserve your place in the February 2027 Wellspring Literary Escape before all spots find other writers.

The Porches Writing Retreat welcomes writers to a restored historic farmhouse built in 1854, on the James River in the Virginia countryside.

Compared to other writing retreats, The Porches offers a unique experience. Spacious porches and large private rooms provide peaceful views of wooded river bluffs and pastures. After a day of writing, enjoy sitting on the porches, sipping wine or hot tea as you watch deer browse the fruit trees. 

The house is half hour from the Appalachian Trail, 50 minutes from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, 3 hours from Washington, D.C. 

Don't miss this opportunity to create, connect, and cultivate your craft in the heart of Virginia's enchanting countryside.

🌺 "This was an amazing opportunity to write, reflect and refresh in a beautiful setting with fantastic people." – Brooke, The Porches

🌺 "This writing retreat took place in a tranquil countryside setting that set the stage for self-reflection and gave me the ability to write with a flow that had been blocked during the last few years." – Susan, The Porches

🌺 "It was an honor to write with so many women who have the same goal–writing and sharing self. That was a moving, deepening, edifying experience." – Kim

Bed linens provided. Tissues, toilet paper, paper towels. Laundry facilities are on the premises. Writers provide their own towels. 

Good drinking water from Artesian well.

Fast speed internet connection and writing desk in all rooms.

A large well-equipped communal kitchen is available. (Complimentary tea, sugar, and basic staples). A grocery store is in the town of Lovingston, a 20-minute drive from the retreat, where you may purchase supplies before arrival at Porches. 

There are elegant and comfortable common rooms. The writers refectory (dining room) provides refrigerators, microwave, Keurig, Coffee makers and filters, mugs, glasses, dishes/flatware, cooking utensils. You may enjoy taking your meals inside or out on the porches or grounds. 

TV and DVD in living room library.

• Arrive at The Porches between 4:00 and 5:30; Settle in and get your bearings (perhaps take a few minutes to reflect on your surroundings in your journal.)

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Welcome Dinner 

• Meet the other attendees.

• Enjoy a welcome dinner while getting to know one another.

• Participants receive a welcome package, including a schedule and writing resources.

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Opening Session - Setting Goals and Accountability

• Introduction to the retreat's goals and schedule.

• Set personal intentions for the retreat.

• Discussion on setting realistic writing goals.

• First writing session.

9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. a time to socialize or write on your own (or sleep or eat etc.)

Sunrise to 9:30 AM: Breakfast and Morning Time On Your Own

• Eat breakfast on your own (or make a plan to join others.)

• Quiet, uninterrupted time for personal writing.

• Write on the porches, in the main room, at your personal writing desk

• Take an early walk

• Find optional writing prompts in your welcome packet for inspiration.

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Accountability  

• Bring a coffee, water, or snack and discover strategies for maintaining accountability in your writing journey.

• Share any thoughts from the night before or the morning

• After a short group writing session, each participant sets daily writing goals.

12:00 Gather for lunch (each attendee will provide one community meal for the five total people--4 attendees and me.) The detailed schedule will be decided closer to time.

1:00-5:00 Individual Time--Write, Read, Walk, Write, Daydream, Nap, Write

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM: One-on-One Coaching/Manuscript Reviews

• Pre-scheduled private sessions with Cindy for personalized writing advice.

• Feedback and guidance on writing challenges.

• Make a plan for moving forward.

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Optional Group Writing Sprint

• Gather for a productive writing sprint (a fast and furious time of generating work together.)

• Share your progress and offer support to one another.

6:00     Gather for dinner-- prepared by one of the attendees. (These meals can range from soup and salad to lasagna or other dishes bought or made.) 

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM: Evening Social - Bonfire Stories

• Relax around a bonfire (or indoors if weather or group determines) with storytelling and coffee, wine, or another favorite beverage--or snack!

• Share your work or a favorite piece of literature that inspires you.

Quiet Time after 10:00 p.m. for those who choose to write or sleep or concentrate.

 Sunrise to 9:30 AM: Breakfast and Morning Time On Your Own

• Eat breakfast on your own (or make a plan to join others.)

• Quiet, uninterrupted time for personal writing.

• Write on the porches, in the main room, at your personal writing desk

• Take an early walk

• Find optional writing prompts in your welcome packet for inspiration.

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Crafting Longer Pieces Workshop

• Discuss techniques for turning ideas into longer narratives.

• Techniques for expanding and structuring your writing.

• Brainstorming and outlining strategies.

• Set Daily Goals

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch

• Break for lunch (prepared by attendee).

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM: One-on-One Coaching/Manuscript Reviews  

• Prescheduled meetings with Cindy.

• Tailored guidance on longer pieces.

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Touch base; Share progress; Group discussion and writing  

6:00  Dinner (prepared by attendee)

7:30 PM - 9:00-ish PM: Open Mic Night

• Bring your favorite beverage and maybe a snack as we share our work or favorite, short published pieces during this informal and supportive session.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Individual time to reflect on the weekend. Breakfast on your own. Pack up for checkout.

• Perhaps dedicate this last morning to putting finishing touches on your pieces.

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Closing Session - Reflect and Conclude

• Sharing and celebration of progress made during the retreat.

(Check out of The Porches is 11:00 a.m.)