REJUICED

        I am feeling so rejuiced.  What, rejuiced isn’t a word?  What do you mean?  If couch surfing, muffin top or royalness have recently been added to the OED then why can’t I use rejuiced?  Who knows, it may become as popular as “Doh.”

Well, I just spent an incredible weekend with some amazing women. 

Where: At One Grafton Street, Charlottetown

When: May 20th-22nd

Who: Organized by Patti Larsen

Why: To write!

I spent this weekend at a writer’s retreat, like I said, organized by Patti, where we shared our stories, experiences and projects.  We came together Friday night where over dinner we set our intentions for the weekend.  Back at the Bed and Breakfast we gathered as a group to talk about publishing.  We were all so excited to be there I don’t think anyone wanted to go to bed that night. 

Saturday after a wonderful breakfast we reviewed how to create our outlines then went off and did our things.  It was so nice to find a cozy corner or spread out on the table knowing that you wouldn’t have to clear it in a few hours for dinner.   Saturday evening we headed to UPEI for a book launch: “Dead Time” by Christy Ann Conlin which also included readings by Kate Inglis (author of sweetsalty.com and The Dread Crew), Bonnie Stewart (cribchronicles.com and Best Women's Travel Writing 2011), and Island poet Yvette Doucette.  I was captivated by all of these women. 

Armed with snacks we picked up on the way home, back at the B&B we spread out once again to our chosen spots to continue our work.  I didn’t want to waste a minute of my weekend but found I had to retire at midnight where my roomie Cat and I joked about the rapture and how it didn’t happen or that maybe it had but turns out we were left behind. 

Sunday was another tasty breakfast, followed by some time to wrap ourselves up and then time to share.  I found myself getting lost in the stories my fellow writers told.  Each one leaving me wanting to know more, needing to know what happens next and, on a couple of occasions, fighting back tears.

I feel privileged to be accepted into such a wonderful group of ladies, a wonderful group of writers and artists, and a wonderful group of human beings I now call friends.  I am inspired by them.

With the weekend over and my bags packed, I drove home feeling embraced, productive, creative, stimulated, spellbound, inspired, authentic - rejuiced.  So yes, rejuiced is a word.

And, I am a writer!

Thank you Patti, Melissa, Kirstin, Michelle, Colleen, & Catherine Ann