News & Retreats

Together with Women's Own Adventures, join me in a walking and writing adventure in Tuscany, Bali or the Australian Outback for a life-defining experience. Together, we'll explore the magic of the landscape, the people who live there, and our own internal creative landscapes.  I'll teach you how to use writing as a tool of reflection, processing, contemplation, and as a way of capturing emotional footage. You'll be introduced to writing techniques such as deep observation and listening, creating metaphor, writing character and tuning in to our senses and bodies to harvest our creativity and find our own unique 'voice.' Places limited to 12 women per trip.

Australian Outback, Northern Territory, Secret Women's Business Writing Adventure, April 2013 (now taking bookings) http://womensownadventure.com.au/pages/adventure-holidays/secret-women-s-business-barefoot-writing/overview.php 

Birthing Books in Bali: for eight women with a book idea or draft they want to work on in an intensive retreat environment (please email me directly joanne@joannefedler.com)

Tuscany, A Cultural Writing and Walking Adventure, September 2013 (now taking bookings) http://womensownadventure.com.au/pages/adventure-holidays/tuscany-a-cultural-walking-and-writing-journey-with-joanne-fedler/overview.php

To find out more about these fabulous journeys please go to www.womensownadventure.com.au or contact Marika on 1300 883 475.

 

TESTIMONIALS from participants

Joanne's workshops aim to draw and tease out all you never knew had been there all along. She promotes fearless writing that shades in the background and makes the smallest detail the greatest wonder.I want to say thank you from every inch of my being.  Joanne's writing workshops, the Tuscan setting, and the diverse group of women were all marvellous. I have forged fantastic new friendships, reforged my writing practice...and I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I have had a life-altering experience.

- Ali

I had the privilege of joining Joanne on the first writing and walking tour of Tuscany, conducted by Women's Own Adventures. Joanne Fedler is an excellent workshop facilitator. She was able to cater for a range of writing experiences and interests. Everyone was able to access Joanne for individual feedback if required and the themed exercises and variety of activities enriched both the travel and the writing experiences. I can wholeheartedly recommend Joanne's and WOAs writing and walking tour of Tuscany and look forward to other locations on offer.

- Kerry

I decided to do this tour with no previous experience of writing, only fanciful ideas. I now look, and listen, to words in a different way as I emerge from the murky depths of ignorance, like a flower opening its petals for the first time. Your workshops opened my eyes to a whole new exciting world. I am ready to explore further.

- Judith

My nervousness was soon alleviated with the wonderful author who was our facilitator and guided us through the entire trip on every aspect of the journey. Joanne's passion for the spoken and written word was unbelievable and contagious. She continuously gave us the encouragement enabling each woman to find her own voice and what was centred in her heart. We laughed and cried together, showed compassion, embracing our differences and celebrated with drinking beautiful wine and eating delicious food. Our walks were pleasant sojourns along the tracks, talking and teaming up with different women, waiting and watching, for the next magnificent scene to appear for the avid photographers to snap. What wonder! The trip will leave lasting memories to be treasured.  

- Sandra

Through her generosity of spirit and thoughtful nurturing Joanne helped form a diverse group of women into  a cohesive, supportive bunch that began to trust and enjoy taking writing risks. The thorough planning and careful preparation of the workshops was evident and the element of surprise and play made us unsettled and renewed. It made some of us look at our old patterns in new more vigorous ways. Joanne's input has made me enthusiastic to tackle the next phase of my new writing project with a rekindled energy. Lasting friendships and writing networks will be a by-product of our days and nights in Tuscany and each will look at the memories in her own way but for me the whole package was pure bliss. The talks, the writing, the travel, the walking, the workshops that pushed us, the postcard landscapes, the relaxed locals, the eccentric British imports, the authentic tastes, the laughter and the released emotions made us emerge from our holiday somehow made new and better than when we arrived in Rome at the beginning of our adventure.Thank you Joanne for being such a super writing midwife. You have delivered!

 -  Yvonne

I was very anxious about joining this group as I have no 'official' writing experience, and was nervous to front up for fear of being compared with more experienced and published writers. But Joanne's techniques, tools and genuine support of wherever you are in your own writing journey soon put me at ease; her authenticity invites you to trust and find your own writer's voice. It was incredible to see how the new and experienced writers all transformed in this relatively short time. All you need to do is show up - and be willing to try.

 - Lani 

When I put my name down for the W.O.A Walking and Writing Tour in Tuscany I was a seasoned bush walker and keen observer of the natural environment.  However when it came to writing I was at the kindergarten level. I needn't have worried.  Jo our writing workshop guide was an extremely supportive, encouraging, informative, experienced fun loving teacher no matter what writing stage we were at.  Think: walking, writing, wine, sunshine, fresh, local Tuscan food prepared with care and love and sleeping in the most amazing places; a total experience.  The tour was balm for the body, mind, soul and spirit.

- Angela

Walking and writing in Tuscany with Joanne Fedler is a creative and challenging adventure. Jo’s writing workshops stimulate the juices of the imagination. To feast alfresco on fresh pasta, tomatoes and olives, to drink too much red wine, to walk through olive groves and vineyards and down ancient Etruscan paths is wonderful. BUT to reflect and write about these experiences and sensations is to encapsulate the trip in never to be forgotten memories.

- Lesley

This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip but the writing workshops were the wheels on the bus so to speak - Joanne's inspirational and well planned discussions, kept leading us on to another place, a different dimension. I personally, just grew and grew - away from the old me. Just WOW and thanks. 

 - Mary-Anne