Lessons from Tuscany: What a Screenwriting Retreat Taught Me
There’s something about Tuscany that feels like a dream you don’t want to wake up from. Golden hills, the hum of cicadas, glasses of wine that seem to refill themselves, and — most importantly — a room full of writers who understand exactly why you cried when your antagonist betrayed your protagonist at the midpoint.
In June 2024, I was lucky enough to attend the Nostos Screenwriting Retreat in Arezzo, Italy — and it turned out to be more than just a getaway. It was a creative recharge that reshaped the way I see writing, storytelling, and my own voice.
Writing Isn't Always Solitary
At Nostos, I discovered the magic of a true writing community. Feedback, encouragement, and "a-ha!" moments sparked by conversations were priceless. Find your creative tribe, even if it’s just one other person who gets it.
The Power of Place
In Tuscany, with its endless beauty and deliberate slowness, my stories had room to breathe. Change your scenery — change your story.
No Idea is Too Weird (At First)
One night, someone pitched a story about an opera-singing dog. We laughed, but we also listened. Don’t kill your strange ideas too soon. Let them run wild first.
Trust the Process (Even When It’s Ugly)
Amidst a group of seasoned writers whose work was at various stages of development, I was reminded that it's not just OK to write cringe material, it's essential. When you're with a bunch of other like-minded cringers, you remember - that’s part of the deal. Storytelling isn’t neat. It's messy — and that's where the magic happens.
Final Thought
Leaving Tuscany was bittersweet, but the lessons stuck. Writing isn’t something you do after you get everything perfect — it’s something you do stubbornly, joyfully, messily. And sometimes, with a little help from Aperol, new friends on a Tuscan rooftop, and a couple of lumpy lemons (you had to be there).