"Last year someone named it the "McGee Magic" and it has been with us in force again this year. I'm so moved to have met all of you and hugely grateful for the walks and talks and meals and laughs and for the feeling of connection (!) and community and permission to be a writer among writers that came with you. I will bring you all and your words home with me-much lighter and yet more deeply sustaining and delightful than all the ridiculous rocks I have in my bag. I already find myself visiting your characters and worlds in my mind---the cats, the war guys, Milly, that hungry college girl, the subway kids, the Moscow girl, Ani, the young Princess and her two faces, the girl in the poem at her Grandmother's house, and many more-and I'm grateful to have those jewels to return to once back IRL (I'm not ready to say it yet).
Thank you, Pam, for your vision, and your generosity and imagination in making THIS world real for us. It definitely works!"
--Maura Sheehy, writer and CSW
"Thank you so much for inviting us to write at McGee's Island, in a house full of doors and windows. It's all about characters, setting, and narrative drive. (And food and firelight; laughter; learning.)
Thank you, everyone."
--Mary Ann Barton, writer
"A million thanks, for conceiving of a retreat like this, and even more, making it happen. The small details, from the gift bags and flowers, to the larger aspects,
such as the absolutely perfect Tanya and Lisa (I can’t stop raving about their recipes), and of course, the setting, which I think even for writers, is almost impossible to capture fully in words--all of it made for an experience like none other.
And then there’s the company—so much laughter, and love and camaraderie among kindred spirits.
I’m a huge lover of quotes, and one of my goals on this retreat was to add to my leather-bound quote book that I carry with me.
I found this one on Friday, the day before we left and I thought it was perfect.
“We cast a shadow on something wherever we stand, and it is no good moving from place to place to save things; because the shadow always follows. Choose a place where you won't do harm - yes, choose a place where you won't do very much harm, and stand in it for all you are worth, facing the sunshine.”
― E.M. Forster, A Room with a View
I do believe we all stood together in the same place for a period of time, and spent every second for all we were worth, trying to find our best selves, facing the sunshine.
I hope my path crosses again with every single one of you."
--Lisa Duffy, author of The Salt House
Some quotes from 2016 Salty Quill writers:
writing retreat for women
The Salty Quill
"Thank you all so much for this absolutely blissful, inspiring, and sustaining experience! What a joy it was to live side-by-side with you and your work for a few days! Let's try for more!"
--Ellis Avery, author of The Family Tooth (and more)
"Before I came, I was worried that traveling all this distance wouldn't get me much, but I leave here feeling recharged, refueled, and bolstered by the thinking I have done, the wonderful camaraderie and feedback, and the space to get away from it and truly dive in to my work. It's a true testament to you, Pam, that you have brought together this group of women that not only get along so well, but that have found inspiration from one another."
--Pia Padukone, author of The Faces of Strangers
"Attending the Salty Quill helped to remind me that I'm a writer. Even just a few days at the retreat, surrounded by brilliant women who shared my goals and the beautiful surroundings of the island, helped to re-energize and re-inspire me in my work. I left with new energy and a great working rhythm on a new novel. Thank you, Salty Quill!"
--Robin Kristoff, writer