Join us at the glorious Gungarra Gardens to ignite your creativity and get writing - whether that's to become freshly inspired and gain more skills for an existing writing project, or simply to explore your creativity through writing. Designed and delivered by Melaina Faranda, writing tutor and author of over seventy nationally and internationally published books - this weekend is suitable for all backgrounds and levels of experience (from those with an unwritten idea, to people who just want to play with words, to others with a project already started - a novel, creative non-fiction, memoir, or a collection of short stories).

In the convivial and supportive company of other word and story lovers, you'll learn how to experience connecting with your creative joy and tap into more original thinking and expression via numerous writing activities and techniques. Opportunities will be provided to explore and plan for your own unique needs, conditions, approaches, structures, and routines. You'll discover ways to wrangle your inner critic, blast through writers’ block, and techniques to overcome procrastination, as well as be taught how to effectively self-edit your work.

Please note - to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe to creatively explore - no one is ever required to share any of their writing or ideas aloud if it's a preference not to!

Expect at the end of the weekend to have inspiration and a whole new creative way of experiencing the world, a grab bag of effective writing and self-editing techniques and tools, respectable word count under your belt, plus if you are working on a project - a bespoke plan, process, structure, and timeline for completion of your book.

Your writing retreat ticket includes delicious and nutritious lunches, morning and afternoon teas for both Saturday and Sunday. We will be intitally gathering on the Friday evening from 6-8pm, so please bring your own dinner along. We will be meeting on Saturday from 9.30am-5pm, then Sunday from 9.30am to 3pm, to allow those with long drives to get back home before dark.

You will need to separately book your own accommodation. Renowned as wine country with majestic granite boulders and outcrops, Stanthorpe offers a variety of accommodation options for all tastes and budgets that can be found on air bnb, and booking.com etc. Rejuvenating blue sky winters and inside fireside cosiness make for a popular season so best to book early.

Gungarra gardens has limited accommodation available including the option for camping. This will book out quickly so please contact Fiona directly on: 0408440481

If finances are a currently a challenge - please book the $180 Payment Plan ticket to secure your place and email: storywellaustralia@gmail to discuss the best way future payments can work for you.

Places are strictly limited to keep our weekend intimate, so book early to ensure your place.

Materials and Equipment required: Whatever you best prefer to write on or with - pens, paper, journals, notebooks, charged laptops etc.

About Your Tutor: Melaina Faranda is the author of seventy books, (published by numerous publishers nationally and internationally), as well as a storyteller, manuscript appraiser, and qualified English teacher. A passionate, energetic, fun, and enthusiastic tutor, she loves inspiring and empowering word and story-loving kin through the many workshops, courses, and masterclasses she delivers at writers’ centres, schools, libraries, and literature festivals throughout Australia - regularly resulting in rave feedback and repeat invitations.

Here's What Past Writing Workshop Participants Have to Say…

‘What an incredible ride! Never have I learnt and understood and been able to apply so much in such a short period of time. Melaina is an engaging, exciting facilitator deftly alternating between leading and encouraging, showing and enquiring. My bag of tricks, my confidence in my writing has multiplied so much in just 3 days. Wow (again!) Thoroughly recommend you stop procrastinating, or deliberating – just do it, you won’t be sorry.’ Bron

‘Melaina is very energising and engaging. I currently feel excited and ready to finish my book and would recommend this course especially for anyone wanting to get started! Or be inspired!’ Steph

‘Amazing momentum, ability to articulate knowledge well, oozing talent and creative ability.’ Jenny

'Melaina's workshop was one of the most inspiring workshops I have attended in 40 years of attending workshops.' Lynn

"I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up for Melaina's writing course but I decided to do it because I wanted to explore creative writing more and I'm really glad I did. Melaina was incredibly inspiring and took us through many different ways to access the creative part of us. I'm now looking forward to writing more on my own. I'd recommend this to anyone who has ever considered trying to write or for someone who wants to get back to writing - it's a wonderful way in.' Nick

‘Wow! I have never received such glowing reports for a course before.’ Jacqui (Organiser)

‘I appreciated Melaina’s willingness to make time for individuals to have time with her. Melaina as a facilitator / teacher is A+ Character A+ and I would recommend this retreat to others because it touches on so many different phases of writing and is always entertaining and encouraging.’ Ellen

'I was buzzing after we did that amazing activity. I found myself writing before I went to work this morning which I never normally do. I am absolutely loving your course.’ Melissa

‘It helped me create stories and plots completely left of field of anything I’ve ever thought. You brought up many concepts of storytelling that has only occurred in my subconscious.’ Thomas

'Melaina…my soul is still singing after participating in your course. I admit to being anxious prior to meeting you; I was uncertain of what would be expected of me and I felt vulnerable. This feeling dissolved quickly thanks to your reassurance, encouragement and humour. You generously imparted to us skills that you had learned over your 20 year career as author and teacher of your craft. By the end of Day 1, I couldn’t wait for the following day. Even though I don’t aspire to being a published author, I gained confidence in both written and verbal communication. I learned it’s not all about the writing; effective connection with others is often the telling of our stories. And you are a STORY TELLER EXTRAORDINAIRE! Thank you so much for coming to our island and lavishly sharing yourself with us.' Dian

‘Brilliant, sparkling, enthusiastic and generous. The course caters for a diverse range of people and is inspiring and liberating.’ Erica

‘Your course is ten times better than the creative writing unit I did at university while studying for my Bachelor of Arts in Communications. The course there was boring, and we were made to feel as if we weren’t good enough, but you give everything of yourself, you pour it out, making sure that everyone really gets it and that we can all write.’ Natalie.

'Coming to your course inspired me to write again. I'm actually sitting in my office editing the first chapter of my memoir, which I have been writing for about fifteen years.’ Michelle

Thank you for your wonderful creative writing course, Melaina. I felt enriched and inspired and learned some things about myself that I didn’t know before! As a teacher you are so entertaining, creative, affirming, and non-confrontational. You made what was for me a slightly daunting prospect, an effortless and surprisingly fun process. I would recommend this course to anyone wanting to access their creativity.’ Sue

‘Melaina is the ‘real deal!’ Her energy creates a presence which is infectious and the flow of content took me on a journey. The program flowed to meet the diverse expectations of the audience. Though provoking; entertaining inclusive, authentic.’ Pam

‘I’ve often had difficulty with “writer’s block” but now feel more confident that I can overcome this with the techniques learned. I also feel much more confident that I will be able to better ‘craft’ these ideas with what was learned in the editing workshop. Thankyou!’ Paizli

‘Inspiring and very helpful. Makes me want to jump straight into writing a piece, using what I’ve been told. I will definitely retain and apply this information.’ Daniella

“I would highly recommend Melaina’s creative writing course. Her significant writing and teaching experience was clear in how she was able to craft the sessions to take into account the group composition and be responsive to the group’s requests for particular elements of the creative writing process. I loved it and look forward to doing more of Melaina’s courses in the future.’ Sheree

‘Melaina runs an excellent course, very inspirational and supportive and energetic. This workshop is definitely something that I would love to do again. Thank you so much!!!’ Ally

‘Great! Great! Great! Gigantically Great! Seeds have been planted within me are growing already.’ Wayne

'Melaina as a facilitator is very engaging! Very knowledgeable’. Explains concepts clearly. Real! Down to earth. Helpful, generous, in the moment. Gold star!’ Tracy

‘Melaina’s course opened up my mind with different strategies that allowed an outpouring of pent up creativity.’ Jacqueline.

'I appreciate your very professional and easy going manner. Your experience and knowledge in writing and editing skills were shared in a generous and lively way. Not only did we all feel enjoyment in getting to know you but we came to relax and connect with each other in a way that will lead to future meetings. It was such a blessing to be involved with like minded people who had a range of writing skills and interests. Your warm hearted and open approach gave us a solid and confident basis on which to build our own skills. Each of the tasks you set for us was rewarding in its outcome and the choice to share our own efforts was kindly given for each of us to make. There was no sense of pressure or living up to the standards of some of the more experienced writers in the group. Thank you, Melaina for a wonderfully enriching, enjoyable and educational weekend - you have set me on the path of writing... I am very grateful to you for what you have taught me and look forward to another workshop next year.' Mary

‘I enjoyed thinking differently about my writing process. I think I surprised myself actually! It was fun just writing – I didn’t feel any pressure to come up with something technically perfect. Thank You.’ Grace

‘I was feeling overwhelmed with where to start, how etc. but have found clarity. The workshop was very informative and awakening and I have really enjoyed everything about the writing retreat- it has been such a fantastic experience. Your stories and teaching opened my mind and I feel I will be able to find my start now. Thank you.’ Ally

‘I enjoyed the time taken to understand my writing needs. I learned how to prioritise my work and what will stay with me is the confidence. Melaina was most engaging and down to earth and the whole writing retreat was perfect. I would recommend this course to all my friends and family interested in any form of writing.’ Carol

‘How I currently feel about my book is pumped and I have a good understanding of next steps for me… Great for rediscovering your spark for writing.’ Rachel