“Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak knits up the o-er wrought heart and bids it break.”
~William Shakespeare

The Stillness Grief Writing Retreat is for people who wish to put words to their grief. It’s a place for all writers—non-writers, emerging or professional—to work with self-enquiry and storytelling prompts to craft a written work to honour a grief— or other loss—and transform it into beauty.

The Stillness Grief Writing Retreat is a 2.5 day livestream writing program (via zoom). This is an intimate group with a maximum of 15 attendees. Alumni are then invited to join the SWR community.

The program will help you travel deep into the heart your story to develop your narrative and craft it into a piece of work whether an essay, memoir, short story, poem, prose, lyrics or journal.

All sessions are held via Zoom, with quiet time in between for reflection and writing. Your loss is whatever it is for you—whether a relationship, a bereavement, or a life transition.

When you register, you’ll receive a collection of inspirational quotes, poems and prose to help you find your voice and decide your retreat project.

"Loved this session. It opened so much up for me personally in processing and connecting to my creative spirit… helping [me] understand what I'm hearing and seeing, from who and where, and... why. "
~Jax NiC. Catalyst Network

AGENDA

Friday 6.00pm-7.30pm
Saturday 9.30am-3.30pm
Sunday 9.30am-3.00pm

RETREAT OVERVIEW

Friday 6.00–7.30pm — Opening Session: Welcome & Writing Foundations

We’ll open with introductions, explore why we write through grief, and move into our first writing prompt. This session helps you settle in, meet the group, and begin your creative project.

***

Saturday 9.30am–11.00am — Morning Writing Session: Finding Your Story

Through guided prompts and quiet reflection, you’ll begin to locate your story—its setting, characters, and emotional core. We’ll explore the sensory and embodied language of grief in writing.

Saturday 11.00am–2.30pm — Independent Writing Time

A dedicated space to write at your own pace. You’ll use the morning’s material to deepen your story or explore new threads, with time to pause, rest, or walk as needed.

Saturday 2.30–3.30pm — Afternoon Session: Writing from the Senses

After a check-in and small group discussion, we’ll explore grief through metaphor, physical sensation, and memory, using powerful literary prompts to guide new writing.

***

Sunday 9.30–11.00am — Morning Session: Perspective & the Hidden Self

Through character exercises and prompts inspired by Helen Dunmore and Jarahi’s window, we’ll explore voice, point of view, and the parts of our grief that remain unspoken.

Sunday 11.00am–2.00pm — Independent Writing Time

A dedicated space to write at your own pace. You’ll use the morning’s material to deepen your story or explore new threads, with time to pause, rest, or walk as needed.

Sunday 2.00–3.00pm — Closing Session: What We Take With Us

A final writing session and reflection. You’ll complete a closing prompt, share intentions for your ongoing writing, and mark the transition from retreat to return.

FAQs

Download PDF here

ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Robynne,

I’m a certified grief educator, writer, speaker and consultant. I created The Stillness Room as a space to explore grief and what it means to be human—through writing, literature, poetry, music and quiet reflection.

When I was 19, I lost my parents and brother in a boating accident. For many years, I kept my grief hidden. In my 50s, it resurfaced, leading me to write Between Two Waves—a book about loss, healing and the search for meaning.

I created The Stillness Room to welcome others into a safe space to explore their own stories. In my other life, I work with business leaders, delivering strategy and leadership retreats, advice and mentorship. I look forward to welcoming you to the retreat.