2005 Retreat

A Mind of One’s Own

A Room of Her Own 2005 Retreat for Committed Women Writers in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico

August 22nd – August 27th, 2005

The AROHO Retreat has reminded me why I wanted to write—and made it a reality that I am not alone in that. I met wonderful, intelligent women working their craft.
—Karen Kelemen, Arvada, Colorado

A Room of Her Own Foundation thanks all of those who attended this year’s retreat and helped, once again, to create an extraordinary experience for faculty, administrators, and retreatants alike. This year’s highlights included intensely focused workshops and classes and nightly readings by faculty and retreatants amidst the beauty of Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Workshops this year were lead by a spectacular faculty including authors Rebecca Brown, Breena Clarke, Kim Addonizio, Antonya Nelson, and literary agent Jody Rein. Publishing coach Maggie Lichtenberg offered one-on-one sessions, and guest speakers included poet and musician Joy Harjo 2004 Gift of Freedom recipient Meredith Hall, writer and painter Mira Bartók, and poet Marguerite Maria Rivas.

Read what these words the following women shared about their experience:

I was surprised to find so many good writers and readers. I was struck at the range and power of the work that was read. And also how supportive people were toward emerging writers who had never read their work before. The caliber was higher than other places I’ve been with huge reputations.
—Published author and artist, Mira Bartók, New Salem, Massachusetts

What a talented group! I’ve met so many women I hope to stay in contact with after the retreat, and my workshop has given me so many new insights into the novel I’m writing. I will carry with me the much needed sense of community I’ve felt here. I have also learned a lot about the business side of writing, an aspect I’d not known much about. I believe this retreat has added to my insight as a writer on many different levels.
—Alicia Shandra Holmes, Escanaba, Michigan

The AROHO Retreat has given me a feeling of support from other women, and allowed this to happen in a beautiful landscape. It has provided me with exercises and insights I can use afterward as well as help with poems I’m working on now. It’s helped me define my voice as a writer.
—Colorado Poet Laureate Mary Crow, Fort Collins, Colorado

I have gained confidence—so much confidence—as a writer. It’s exposed me to new writers and styles—it has broadened my idea of what I can do. I will look back on this retreat as a turning point in my career.
—Deonne Kahler, Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico

This retreat has inspired me to dare to write, take my place, find my voice.
—JoAnne Dahl, Uppsala, Sweden

I am truly inspired, excited, and capable, ready to attack the world with my passionate words. Thank you, AROHO!!
—Hilary Campbell, Portland, Oregon

The AROHO Retreat has made all the difference in the world for my life as a writer. It’s given me traction and gumption and inspiration and hope. I’ve taught writing for fifteen years and shrunk from applying the term “writer” to myself—and now, finally, I know that I am a writer. Concretely, it’s renewed my resolve to protect time in a busy life to write (besides summers). And I’ve made a pact with another participant that I will send my work out—something I’ve long been too timorous to do.
—Liz Bedell, Cambridge, Massachusetts

The retreat has made me realize I’m a poet, not a dabbler. The retreat has given me a better understanding of my personal strengths and limitations as a writer, wonderful resource materials (from book table and lists provided), and allowed me to honor myself as a writer even though I struggle with self-doubt. It has challenged me to get to work in a more focused way; project plan great! This retreat has been a wonderful respite from my day-to-day life to reflect on myself as an artist (both painter and poet) undistracted by daily pressure. It has been a still water floating over me and entering my pores at just the right time in my life.
—Clare Olivares, Oakland, California

I really got so much out of my workshop. I learned tenfold what I had expected to come away with.
—Hilary Campbell, Portland, Oregon

I was amazed at the quality of the participants in the AROHO Retreat!
—Kayleen Dunson, Vashon, Washington

At the 2003 AROHO retreat I was a part of AROHO, after the 2005 retreat AROHO is now part of me… AROHO blessed me, I'm not afraid to try new forms of written expression because I looked upon the enemy and it is me. I don't ever want to feel alone again. You see where it got Greta Garbo. Did she ever write a decent short story? I learned something at the AROHO retreat because of being in the presence of like minded women who are not afraid to laugh, who affirm, who find ways to harvest their vision. I'm not saying it is easy and a bird in the hand is messy, but if we find the way together there will always be someone to sing our song to us when we have forgotten the words. See you in 2007!
—Mary Rose Betten, Camarillo, CA

After the death of her mother, Marg Chandler, Darlene came to Ghost Ranch to grieve and out of her grief, an idea was born—to give women the means and support to write. When I came to the AROHO retreat two years ago, my whole notion of birth and death flipped, for out of the death of her mother, Darlene gave birth to this dream, this gathering of women writers who would form a community of support. It is because of Marg Chandler and her inspiration that we are all honored to be here today. Her spirit is the guiding spirit of AROHO. The notion of birth and death will never be the same to me again. I am honored to be the first recipient of the Marg Chandler Memorial Award. Marg Chandler’s spirit abides with us.
—Author of Poetry Cannot Save You, Marguerite Maria Rivas, Staten Island, NY

Marguerite Maria Rivas (R) with Darlene Chandler Bassett

Experienced faculty, committed writers, and the high desert make for a magical mix, and women are still talking about how the 2005 AROHO Retreat inspired and redirected them, provided them with information and skills to further their writing and publication, and connected them with wonderful women writers.