Available in-person
You’re invited!
Now more than ever, competing priorities, constant demands of daily life, and uncertainty make it hard to focus, let alone tend to our writing and creativity. Creating anything in a noisy and chaotic world can seem (and often is) impossible. Being bombarded from all directions (including from the naysayers in our heads) can leave us feeling hopeless, exhausted, and overwhelmed.
The Greenfire September Retreat alleviates the overwhelm and helps quiet the noise. Our small group size (8–10 maximum, 4 minimum) ensures plenty of personal attention, including individual coaching sessions with long-time writing coach and retreat facilitator, Judy Fort Brenneman. Our retreat location is a private home located in Dillon, Colorado, next to Dillon Nature Preserve. We don’t share the space with other groups. We welcome all (women) writers, from “I’m not even sure I’m a writer” to “professional,” and all genres, formats, and styles. We foster an encouraging, inclusive, and supportive environment that nurtures you, your creativity, and your writing.
Greenfire September Writing Retreat is all-inclusive! Your fee includes 4 nights lodging, meals from Monday supper through Friday breakfast, and the retreat!
RegisterSchedule Overview
Check-in Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, 2:00–5:00 p.m.
Monday group session: 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday through Thursday group sessions: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Friday group session: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Check-out by 12:00 noon, Sept. 11, 2026
Who this retreat is for
- Any writer of any level of skill or experience, of any genre, who needs a week to write, rest, recharge, connect, have fun, and write some more! (Women only, age 18 years and up.)
- Any writer who feels stuck, lost, uncertain, or burned out.
- Any writer who feels perpetually distracted, pulled in too many directions, or overwhelmed.
- Any writer beset by noisy Inner Critic(s) and self-doubt.
- Any writer who wants more writing friends and to feel less alone.
What will you actually get out of this retreat?
- You’ll get writing done! You’ll generate new material and play with innovative (and fun) writing prompts and creativity exercises.
- You’ll explore and deepen existing work.
- You’ll move forward in your creative work with clarity and confidence.
- You’ll stretch and recharge your creativity, your ideas, and your work-in-progress.
- You’ll explore your story (and the nearby nature preserve, trails, and lake).
- You’ll feel rejuvenated, empowered, and inspired.
- You’ll discover techniques to calm your nervous system, improve your focus, and deal with self-doubt.
- You’ll get to know other women writers. You’ll probably laugh a lot.
- You’ll have a lovely long break from the “real world” —setting aside your “day job,” plus no cooking, cleaning, or taking care of anyone else for a whole week!
This retreat is NOT for you if:
- You want to learn about publishing or getting an agent. I’m happy to answer questions and suggest resources, but our time will be focused on writing.
- You want detailed critiques and feedback on your work-in-progress. This is a writing retreat, which differs from a writing workshop. There will be opportunities for sharing and discussing our work, which may include brief (off-the-cuff) feedback.
- You’re a literary (or any other kind of) snob. We welcome all kinds of writers and writing.
- You can’t stop yourself from giving advice, talking or making lots of noise during writing or other quiet times, or criticizing a writer instead of the writing.
- You use (illegal) recreational drugs, smoke, or vape (smoking, including vaping, is not permitted in the house or on the grounds; it also causes serious allergy problems).
- You’re looking for a vacation. The retreat is fun, relaxing, and a change from your regular routine. It’s also a safe haven for writing, sharing, and community, which we create together. That magic happens when each participant is lovingly committed and fully present.
- You want a healing retreat. Writing often leads to fresh insights, and this retreat may be a place where healing happens, but that isn’t the same as a healing retreat. Although I have experience as a transformative language artist, including therapeutic writing, and as a writing coach, including working with a variety of emotional and neurological issues, I am not a trauma therapist, and this is not a therapeutic retreat in that sense of the word.
What actually happens at the Greenfire September Retreat?
Lots of writing, discovery, connection, creativity, and a little bit of magic! Oh — and good food, too!
Check-in is from 2:00–5:00 p.m. on Monday. The retreat officially begins Monday late afternoon, when we gather together for our first group session. We’ll get to know each other a bit, play with some writing prompts to get warmed up, and transition into “retreat mode.” Then we’ll have a delicious supper, followed by time to relax, write, and visit.
We’ll meet again as a group each full day (Tuesday through Thursday) from 11:00 a.m. to about 1:00 p.m. and on Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Group sessions include fun and helpful writing prompts, creativity exercises, and facilitated discussion, with opportunities to experiment, explore, discuss writing challenges, and share in a safe and supportive environment.
Time before and after group sessions is devoted to quiet writing and creating time, one-on-one coaching, and self-care — relax, read, nap, reflect, wander, and write some more. Judy is available for dedicated coaching time and is on-call for quick on-the-spot coaching during most writing times, too.
Evenings are flexible and relaxed. Wednesday, we’ll dine out for supper. We’ll have an open mic on Thursday, our last evening (open only to retreat participants).
The retreat ends at 11:00 a.m. on Friday after our last group session, and check-out is at noon.
IMPORTANT NOTE: To get the full retreat experience, plan to arrive no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, and to leave no sooner than 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
What’s included?
Everything!
- 4 nights lodging (Monday night through Thursday night)
- All meals from Monday supper through Friday breakfast, including Wednesday supper at a wonderful Summit County restaurant
- All retreat materials (handouts, writing prompts, and creativity exercises)
- Daily writing prompts and group gatherings
- Up to 1 hour one-on-one coaching, plus “on-call” coaching
- The support and companionship of other women writers
- Writing each day
Please note: Your fee does not include transportation or personal expenses (e.g., third-party tours, personal items).
RegisterFood!
All meals from Monday supper through Friday breakfast are included in your retreat fee, and all meals except Wednesday’s supper are at our retreat house. On Wednesday, we’ll go out to eat at one of Summit County’s wonderful restaurants (the cost for that is included, too). The food is delicious, varied, and plentiful! If you have questions or dietary concerns, just let us know.
The Place: Our Retreat House in Dillon, Colorado
Our retreat house includes wifi, a private outdoor deck, amazing views, access to the clubhouse (hot tubs; tennis, racquetball & basketball courts; fitness center; possibly the swimming pool), washer & dryer, bed linens and towels. The backyard borders the Dillon Nature Preserve, offering hundreds of acres of pristine wilderness, Lake Dillon and mountain views, and more than 26 miles of trails for hiking, running, bird watching, and wandering.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT CARS:
On-site parking is limited to 4 cars total. There is other parking available, but please carpool or take public transit if at all possible! (Bustang to Denver International Airport, Peak 1 to Dillon, for example.)
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT ROOM ASSIGNMENTS:
Our retreat house is lovely and spacious (about 4000 SF), with 5 bedrooms and additional (semi-private) sleeping areas. Some bedrooms have private bath; some shared. ROOMS WILL BE ASSIGNED BASED ON THE ORDER IN WHICH WE RECEIVE REGISTRATIONS. If all bedrooms are assigned when we receive your registration, we will contact you regarding remaining spaces; you’ll have the option of saying yes to one of those spaces or of being added to the waiting list.
Getting here:
The nearest international airport is Denver International Airport (DEN), about 2 hours. Peak 1 Express provides door-to-door shuttle services to and from the airport. Carpooling may be available; let us know if you’re interested.
Book Now
Dates: September 7 – 11, 2026
Your Investment:
$2100.00, paid in thirds
Note: a nonrefundable $700.00 deposit (one-third of total) is required to hold your spot.
First third ($700.00) is due with your registration and is nonrefundable.*
Second third ($700.00) due May 1, 2026.
Final third ($700.00) due July 1, 2026.
Payment via PayPal, credit card, Venmo, or check (mailed to Greenfire Creative)
If you choose to pay by check: after registering, mail your check in the amount of $700.00 payable to Greenfire Creative to:
Greenfire Creative
2160 Ryeland Ln
Fort Collins, CO 80526
REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY:
*Initial third holds your space and is nonrefundable. If you cancel on or before August 7, 2026, the balance you have paid (2nd, or 2nd and 3rd, payment) is refundable. Cancellations August 7, 2026 or later are not refundable, but you may send someone else in your place (female only).
*If Greenfire Creative, LLC cancels this workshop, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid by the time of cancellation.
Your deposit (and any subsequent payments) will be returned to you in full.
If you cancel on or before August 7, 2026, the balance you have paid (2nd, or 2nd and 3rd, payment) is refundable. Cancellations August 7, 2026 or later are not refundable, but you may send someone else in your place (female only). Your initial deposit is not refundable.
I hope to see you at the next Greenfire Writing Retreat!
Cancellation Policy
- Initial 1/3 total retreat payment holds your space and is nonrefundable.
- If you cancel on or before August 7, 2026, the balance you have paid (2nd, or 2nd and 3rd, payment) is refundable.
- Cancellations August 7, 2026 or later are not refundable, but you may send someone else in your place (female only).
- If Greenfire Creative, LLC cancels this workshop, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid by the time of cancellation.