The Inkwell, Kuala Lumpur.

Writers’ Retreat By Inkwell Malaysia

6-8th December 2024

For one weekend, Inkwell Malaysia will hold a creative
writing retreat focused on generative writing exercises, sharing work, and
strengthening the writing community that supports us all.‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ The retreat
will take place in the serene environment of Fraser’s Hill, Malaysia, from
December 6th to December 8th.

Participants will stay at the Wyndham Garden Shahzan Hotel, Jalan Lady Guillemard, Frasers Hill 49000 Pahang in
twin-sharing room. If you prefer a single room, you may opt for that at an additional cost. Location https://maps.app.goo.gl/SzTUAX2C8YLgfhKN8

The weekend begins with registration and check-in on the 6th
December, followed by introductions and community building (we will be joined by Prof Ryan Thorpe, Inkwell Founder). On the morning of December 7th, we’ll take a guided hike through Fraser’s Hill’s beautiful
jungle. Upon returning to the hotel, Participants will be led through creative
exercises, with the afternoon session allowing themselves to guide their favourite
activities. That evening, we’ll host a reading of the day’s work.

On Sunday morning we’ll conduct a few final writing
exercises, followed by afternoon tea at the charming Smoke House after checking
out. Then we’ll head back to Kuala Lumpur. A more detailed programme will be shared nearer the date of the Writers' Retreat.

The cost of a spot in a twin room is RM 900, and RM 1200 for
a single room. The fee includes accommodation and all meals – Lunch and dinner on the first day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the second day, and breakfast on the third day.

This fee includes accommodation, transportation (if desired)
from YMCA Kuala Lumpur to Fraser’s Hill and back, all meals, the hiking
session, and afternoon tea at the SmokeHouse Frasers’
Hill. Any other expenses outside the Writers’ Retreat programme will be on
individual participant’s own account.

Registration is limited, and we will close
sign-up by October 31st or once all spots are filled. Please register early to secure your place at the Inkwell Malaysia Writers' Retreat 2024. Please register using the google form link below : https://forms.gle/8AyG6DsQ8QBYoGVA7

This session is exclusively for attendees of the Inkwell Retreat. As a fiction writer, Marta will share her inspiring journey, offering a glimpse into the challenges she faced in crafting her career and the perseverance that led to her success. Drawing from her experiences in building compelling narratives, she will highlight her creative process and the lessons she learned during more than ten years of pursuit. Through her story, she aims to motivate us in our own creative endeavors, demonstrating how dedication, resilience, and a passion for storytelling can transform challenges into opportunities for growth. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the potential within each of us to create meaningful and impactful work.
Marta Camara, also known by her pen name Constanza Chesnott, is a Spanish author with Penguin Random House, celebrated for over a decade of compelling novels that captivate readers across languages. Her works, translated into English, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, bring her storytelling to diverse audiences worldwide. In addition to novels, Marta has written limited series adaptations, original screenplays, and specialized adaptations of Chinese series for foreign markets. With over 20 years as an experienced copyright lawyer, she bridges the creative and legal fields with expertise.
In September 2024, Marta participated as a writer and script supervisor in the renowned 48-Hour Film Challenge in Shanghai, where her team’s short film True Artist earned seven nominations. Marta’s passion for culture and exploration is matched by her international life experience—having lived in Taipei, Singapore, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Ecuador, Spain, and China. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Chinese, embodying a truly global perspective.

This session is exclusively for attendees of the Inkwell Retreat.
Dr. Ryan Thorpe will lead writing exercises focusing on the theme of brainstorming in three genres. Often creative writing genres are thinking of being separate and distinct, but when brainstormed in close proximity to each other, writers can see how learning about one artform can feed another. We will explore poetry and then shift into creative nonfiction and end up with a fiction assignment that will sound full of voice after borrowing from the word choice of poetry and the authorial authority of creative nonfiction. Participants will leave with a series of starts in separate genres that they can develop over the course of the retreat.
Dr. Ryan Thorpe is an associate teaching professor and teaches humanities and writing courses at the University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute. He also serves as the director of its academic writing program and its writing center. He is the executive director of Inkwell (www.inkwell.asia), a literary collective that holds free and public writing workshops in China. He has written columns for The Global Times, China Daily, and Sixth Tone, and has published in numerous literary journals. His first scholarly book, Teaching Second Language Creative Writing was published in December of 2021 by Routledge. Three fantasy novels, The Willows, Arcadian Midnight, and The Warden were published by Aethon Books.

This session is exclusively for attendees of the Inkwell Retreat.
During this session, we will engage in a discussion of what we have written, inspired by the guidance provided by author Ryan and enriched by his invaluable advice. This reflective exchange will allow participants to share their creative processes, explore diverse interpretations of writing techniques, and provide constructive feedback on each other's work.
The retreat thus far has brought together an eclectic group of writers from across the globe, including Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, France, Lithuania, China, Syria, and Nepal. This diversity not only enhances the collaborative spirit of the retreat but also brings a wealth of cultural perspectives to the craft of writing. Together, we will delve into the elements of our stories, celebrating the unique voices and creative approaches that each participant contributes to this vibrant literary community.