Writing Workshops

Writing with Woodside on Squam Lake

My unique workshop works on the writing process. At Rockywold-Deephaven Camps, Holderness, New Hampshire

Thursday, June 12-Sunday, June 15, 2025

Writing from Nature is a methods workshop for writers of all levels who wish to discover, hone, expand, or revise their ideas and work in a beautiful setting. Writers walk and observe in nature and with my guidance, draft new writing.

This workshop is the workshop I wanted when I was starting my career. I could not find it, so I invented it. The origins of Writing from Nature were in a writing class I taught at a community arts center 15 years ago in Middletown, Connecticut. I’ve run this workshop in Connecticut and New Hampshire, one-day, two-day, and longer, since that time.

Fees are reasonable. For more info and to sign up, Go here. The fee includes everything: workshop, lodging, and meals. We will have our own dock, and you have the option of renting a kayak or canoe on your own. Career-builder and student rates available. Early-bird signups, by March 1, get a 10% discount! Email Chris: chris@chriswoodside.com.

Tentative Agenda

 Thursday, June 12:

3-4 p.m. Arrive. Check in at the Rockywold office. We will direct you to the building where we will stay.

5-6 p.m. Opening exercise and introductions

6-7 p.m. Dinner in Rockywold Dining Hall.

7-8 p.m. Free time. Chris will direct you to some spots for hanging out, or you might explore on your own.

8:15-9:15 p.m. Where are we?

• Chris will focus on some aspects of the Squam Lake ecosystem.
• We will look at maps of the camps and think about where you want to walk during tomorrow’s exercise.

9:30 p.m. Night walk (optional)

Friday, June 13:

6:30-7:30 a.m. Optional early walk with Chris.

8-9 a.m. Breakfast in Rockywold Dining Hall.

9:30 a.m. Walk 1: Route-finding. You will walk alone for 1 hour with no notebook or pen. Avoid taking photos.

11 a.m. until noon: Guided writing.

Noon-12:30: Break.

12:30-1:30. Lunch in Rockywold Dining Hall.

1:30-2:30 p.m. Break.

2:30-4 p.m.: Waterfront writing exercise TBD

4-5:00 p.m. Walk back and free time.

5:00-6: Discussion of some readings that will have been emailed ahead of time.

6-7 p.m.: Dinner.

After dinner: Free time. There is a square dance for all camp guests. No obligation, but I will say that I love square dancing.

Saturday, June 14:

 6:30-7:30 a.m. Optional early walk with Chris.

8-9 a.m. Breakfast in Rockywold Dining Hall.

9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Walk 2: In place.

Going back to where you walked before, slow down and observe. More info to come!

11-noon: Guided writing. Place TBA.

12:30-1:30: Lunch.

1:30-2:15 p.m.: Break.

2:15-3:30 p.m.: Foray onto the water, note-taking experiments. Boat tour.

3:30 or so to 4 p.m.: Break.

4-5 p.m.: Guided writing, to be announced.

6-7 p.m.: Dinner.

7-8 p.m.: Free time.

8-9 p.m.: Readings from your own work.

Sunday, June 15:

 8-9 a.m. Breakfast

9-10 a.m. Break.

9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Walk 3: Field Guide. You will observe and “collect” with some methods used by scientists and artists.

11 a.m. to noon: Field guide to your morning. Each of us will share.

Lunch and goodbyes follow.