Big Sky Writing Workshops
WRITE TO THE FINISH
Starts June 5, 2024, Early bird discount through April 19 Email for info
Led by Sean Murphy & Tania Casselle
Online/All locations
Long-distance 9-month course to help writers working on a book-length project. We work by live Zoom Masterclasses and an easy-to-use online platform, so you can take part wherever you are. Course includes a full manuscript critique, online seminar days, mentor calls, craft lessons, etc.
Open to fiction, nonfiction, and memoir writers who are serious about making significant progress on a book-length manuscript. The group ranges from writers starting a first draft with nothing more than an idea, to others with a work in progress - perhaps it's not progressing fast enough, additional support is needed during revision, or the writer is stuck!
Wherever you're at with your manuscript, we support you with craft, community, focus, and feedback.
Write to the Finish runs once a year only. Spaces are limited in this small, intimate group. See more about the course and co-teacher Tania.
Email me and I'll send you the course outline and all details. (It's helpful if you add a few words about your manuscript project, too, so I can tell you if the course could be a good fit for you. If not, I'll try to suggest other resources.)
See what people who've written books with us say about Write to the Finish on Facebook and in the testimonials in the right column of this page.
"WRITING YOUR STORY -- MAKING CONNECTIONS"
Seminar at the Spiritual Directors International Conference
April 23, 2020
Santa Fe, NM
Led by Tania Casselle with assistance from Sean. We’ll focus on writing as a spiritual practice, also exploring how we can write about spirituality in order to reach an audience of spiritual seekers. Sean Murphy is a presenter; author & Huffington Post writer Steven Crandell brings his expertise too. You don't have to attend the whole conference to come to the Writer's Institute. Email Tania's website at the above link for more information.
ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING
MEDITATION & WRITING RETREAT WITH SEAN MURPHY
May 11-14, 2020
Santa Fe
Deepen your meditation and mindfulness practices and explore how to apply them to the creative process through writing and creativity exercises. In my upcoming class at Santa Fe Workshops we'll explore how meditation and mindfulness can stimulate the creative process, opening the mind to new literary possibilities.
For more information or to claim your spot visit:
https://santafeworkshops.com/workshop/zen-and-the-art-of-writing/
Or call: 505-983-1400 ext. 111
2017 participant Mag D. said of this retreat at a different location: “Definitely take this retreat if you would like some immersion in writing practice and meditation. The kind attention and wisdom of these teachers is a huge plus!”
Taos Writers Conference July 26
9 a.m. - Noon
Dimension in Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, and Memoir
Come and discover what makes strong writing 'click' and learn tips to cure that irritating sense of 'flatness' in narrative!
More info and registration at this Taos Writers Conference link
CASA DEL SOL WRITING WORKSHOP at GHOST RANCH
New Mexico, September 4 – 8, 2016
With Hemingway Award-winning author Sean Murphy & internationally published writer Tania Casselle
Join us for a sweet, contemplative writing retreat at a secluded hacienda on Georgia O’Keeffe’s historic Ghost Ranch property.
Casa Del Sol has stunning views of the Pedernal (Georgia’s own personal mountain!) and it’s just a stone’s throw from Georgia’s private home, two miles from the main Ghost Ranch facility and a million-seeming miles from everywhere else.
We are truly walking in Georgia’s footsteps when we take our creative inspiration from this sacred landscape.
See all the details on this writing workshop including fees and photos.
Discount available on the remaining rooms for a limited time.
Private Meditation Coaching with Sean by Skype
As Sean's work expands as a meditation teacher, he is offering meditation guidance/coaching by Skype (phone option also available). Although it is possible to arrange single sessions, the intent is to offer a package of four x 45-minute sessions, weekly or biweekly, to help establish, reinforce or reinvigorate a meditation practice. His specialty is helping meditators establish a practice, or helping experienced meditators get 'unstuck' in their practice. A package of 4 weekly or biweekly sessions, covering 1-2 months of practice, is $275.
Email me to schedule your meditation coaching or to ask any questions. Please tell me briefly why you are seeking help with your meditation at this time.
Other 2016 Online Seminars
Your First 10 Pages: Ready, Set, Go!
Next dates, June 2016. (Dates to be confirmed. Email me to be kept informed.)
Online course by email & phone conference.
If the first ten pages of your book don’t grab an agent’s or editor’s attention, they’re unlikely to keep reading. (Even if you are self-publishing, the same holds true for your readers!) Get feedback from two veteran writers and editors in this short individual feedback course designed to hone your first ten pages so your readers can’t wait to read on.
This one-week intensive feedback seminar is for writers who already have 10 pages completed of a book-length manuscript, fiction or nonfiction. Perhaps you’ve written the entire book, perhaps you are only partway through. Either way you will receive specific and detailed feedback from both Tania Casselle and Sean Murphy and you will have the chance to revise your pages using our feedback and run it past us again. Full info and registration here.
2013 Seminars
Free Mini Teleseminars in March 2013
I'm giving two free mini teleseminars for writers with Tania Casselle on March 13 and March 16.
Basically it's a conference call - you just dial in.
Our subject: 3 Top Tips to Keep on Track with your Writing with time for Q&A. This 2013 event is now over. Sign up for my newsletter (right) for notices on future free teleseminars.
2012 Seminars:
Discover Your Natural Voice as a Writer April 21, 2012, Santa Fe. A one-day workshop with Sean Murphy for Anne Hillerman and Jean Schaumberg's Word Harvest series in Santa Fe.
Self-No Self & the Creative Process July 9-23, 2012, Taos. Sean Murphy teaches this two week Taos seminar on meditation and the creative process with Insight (Vipassana) meditation teacher Marcia Rose.
Kripalu Yoga Center: Writing Down the Bones August 24-26, 2012. Sean Murphy will teach a workshop with Natalie Goldberg in Massachusetts. (Sean taught at Kripalu for the first time in 2011, also with Natalie, and it is just a beautiful venue!)
TONY HILLERMAN WRITERS CONFERENCE
November 10-12, 2011, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Sean Murphy and Tania Casselle offer manuscript critiques at the conference in Santa Fe, with a 20 minute face-to-face meeting. You do not have to be registered for the conference to book a critique (deadline October 1, 2011.) Critiques are for: short fiction, non-fiction essays, novel synopses, and novel first chapters. Register with the Tony Hillerman Writers Conference
WRITING IN NEW DIRECTIONS: Los Alamos, NM
Saturday March 26, 2011.
10 am to 5 pm
With Sean Murphy
A day of creative inspiration to encourage fresh ideas for your fiction, memoir, non-fiction, poetry or journaling. Beginners and experienced writers equally welcome. We'll do lots of writing in a supportive atmosphere, experimenting with structure, style, and various techniques to kick-start your creative process. Although we'll cover key elements such as character, place, weaving a 'story', and the sensory details that bring our writing alive, this will all be grounded in practice. So just bring a pad, some pens, an open mind, and be ready to write!
For new writers, this is a great way to beat writer's block and get started on that story you've always wanted to tell, or just have fun trying out lots of ideas. (It's fine if you've never written before or don't even know what you want to write about - this workshop will get you started!) Experienced writers, you can use the exercises and craft tips to go deeper and find new direction on your current projects.
Weather permitting, some periods will be spent outside. A simple and delicious lunch will be provided. This workshop will be held in Los Alamos, NM. We'll email you the venue address and directions once we've received your registration.
Cost: $65 including home-cooked lunch (Buffet style, and adaptable for carnivores, vegetarians, wheat free/dairy free.)
Two reduced rate places ($35) are available for low-income writers, first-come first-served, please inquire.
Space is limited, so please book early.
To Register:
Reserve your place with a deposit of $35 by credit card. The balance will be due on the day by check or cash.
Use the secure link below to pay either from your PayPal account, or by credit card if you don't have a PayPal account. Just follow the links.
NOTE: The $35 deposit is non-refundable if you cancel on or after March 19.
It is fully refundable if you cancel before March 19, or in the unlikely event that workshop is cancelled. Payment of a deposit confirms your agreement to these terms.
Thank you for registering. We will contact you at the email provided with your deposit payment to confirm and provide details on the venue.
All groups below led by Sean with Tania Casselle.
* STRAIGHT TO THE HEART - ONLINE SHORT FICTION AND FLASH FICTION GROUP. An 8-week workshop for short fiction writers, including feedback on your stories. Everything is done by email, so you can take part wherever you are. Next start date Spring 2011. Email me for info.
* WRITING GROUPS - We also offer workshops tailored to the needs of existing writing groups, either in person or long-distance by email/phone conference. If your group is interested in working with us, get in touch and we'll talk about it.
Previous participants on Big Sky Workshops said:
"I loved, loved this course. I learned a tremendous amount, was extremely productive, and took courageous chances that paid off. One of the best courses I've ever taken."
"Tania and Sean are a great team: insightful, generous, funny and tough. This is one of the best workshops I've ever taken."
"This course far surpassed my highest expectations... organized to perfection and completely comprehensive. Tania and Sean provide a safe supportive environment for writers of all levels to work together, share ideas and help each other to grow. They are unbeatable. If you are looking for an extraordinary writing experience, you have come to the right place."
"I didn't want it to end. It was just such a remarkable and helpful experience… You challenged us, made us laugh and laughed with us, made us think, taught us ever new ways to feed the writing beast."
"At the start [of Write to the Finish] I had a hazy idea of what the book might cover. At the end, I had a 72,000 word first draft. The exercises, seminar weekends, advice from Sean and Tania, and support from the entire group, were the catalyst I needed. So thank you for helping me get there! I genuinely wouldn't have done it without you."
"Tania and Sean make an amazing team and it's wonderful to have both of their (sometimes different) perspectives on my work."
“You set such a supportive, fun, yet down-to-business tone for the course [Write to the Finish], that I'm not at all surprised that so many of us achieved all we had set out to do.”
"Your enthusiasm for writers is infectious."