2009 Writers Workshop Sailing off the Turkish Coast

March 2nd, 2009 | By Larry Habegger | No Comments »

Yep, we’re doing it again! We had such a successful voyage last September that we’re heading back to Turkey’s Turquoise Coast in September 2009 for another week of sailing, writing, and wandering the ruins and villages.

Like last year we’re restricting the group to 10 participants and we’ll meet for instruction in the mornings, have private consultations throughout the day (in and around writing and exploring), and meetings for discussion and sharing our work in the evenings before our sumptuous nightly feast. After that, of course, there’s more time to talk or write, sip wine or raki, or simply lie on the deck and look at the stars.

See what last year’s participants had to say.

Here are full details on the program.

To sign up, contact workshop organizer Robin Sparks at robin@robinsparks.com, or send me an email at larry@larryhabegger.com and I’ll pass along your message.

Hope to see you in Turkey.

Praise for the 2008 Writers Workshop Sailing off Turkey’s Turquoise Coast

March 2nd, 2009 | By Larry Habegger | No Comments »

Last year’s trip was fantastic, but don’t take it from me, listen to what the participants had to say.

“What a journey, everything I hoped for and so much more! There is no better place to be lost in thought, no better teacher with whom to contemplate craft, and no better way to stretch the artist within than with fellow writers on the open waters. Turkey was presented in a tailored tapestry, finely woven with the filigree of hospitality, the bold color of pungent produce and the tinseled charm of attentive service. Whether it is the sapphire waters, the distant horizon or the inherently starry skies there is no way you won’t feel inspired!”
—Jennifer Leigh Rosen, Writer & Photographer, Baja California Sur, Mexico

“When I signed up for the workshop, I couldn’t have imagined what I would leave with: deep friendships, a new understanding of myself and my writing goals, an amazing collection of photos, and a great big notebook of souvenirs in the form of writing tips, techniques, and guidance I received from Larry, who has replaced my 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Klein, as my favorite instructor of all time. Sailing on a handsome gulet along the gem-colored shoreline of the Aegean Sea is the perfect place to get inspired, forget about all the distractions at home, and devote yourself to a week of writing.”
—Cheryn Flanagan, San Francisco, California
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Two spots available for Turkey workshop

September 11th, 2008 | By Larry Habegger | No Comments »

I learned today that we’ve had two late cancellations for my writers workshop on a traditional Turkish yacht sailing the Aegean and Mediterranean. The boat departs Bodrum September 20, returns September 27. Here’s a trip description.

For information about sailing along the ancient shores of Turkey with me, contact Robin Sparks at robin@robinsparks.com.

Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference

August 12th, 2008 | By Larry Habegger | No Comments »

It’s that time of year again, what good friend and conference cofounder Don George calls summer camp for travel writers. I’ll be teaching a series of morning sessions on writing the personal essay at the Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference and as always am really looking forward to it. If you’re attending, see you there. If not, come next year, you won’t regret it.

Writers’ Workshop Sailing off the Turkish Coast

February 7th, 2008 | By Larry Habegger | No Comments »

Learn How to Craft a Travel Article, Write a Memoir and Publish Your Book

I’ll be leading a seven-day writers workshop on the personal travel narrative aboard a traditional 82-foot gulet (a Turkish yacht) September 20-27, 2008. Come join me!

On this seven-day intensive workshop sailing on the Aegean Sea you’ll learn the ins and outs of crafting a superb story and how to bring your work to print, whether it’s a short essay or a book-length memoir. I’ll help you develop powerful stories with simple tools and plot the course to successful publication.

For information about sailing along the ancient shores of Turkey with me, contact Robin Sparks at robin@robinsparks.com.

In this workshop you will learn how to:
• Unearth kernels of inspiration
• Find the right way in
• Create the ideal structure to give a story maximum substance and meaning
• Access memory to add depth and texture
• Use techniques of fiction to add drama and suspense
• Craft the perfect ending
• Edit to make the story a page-turner
• Develop the kind of book proposal publishers are eager to see
• Create the perfect marketing plan so your book will sell
• Write like a poet but think like a publicist

Daily writing exercises will help you find the focus of your story, and discussions will provide guidance for shaping and polishing. Participants will gain confidence about what makes a story work and how to make it shine in the marketplace. (more…)