Are you having trouble starting or staying with your story? Do you feel you're writing without traction? Perhaps you are in the wrong character's head? Do you have pacing problems? Or does the tone seem wrong? Do you like how you've started, but feel that you're wandering about as you go on? Or have you been writing for some time, getting your story down, but now feel you're lost in a wilderness you might not be able to write your way out of? Perhaps you know very well what story you want to tell – because it's something that happened to you – but are bewildered by all the possible approaches to telling it?

Whether you are writing short fiction, a novel, or a work of creative non-fiction there is always a way in which your story will want best to be told. A writing workshop that involves peers who are generous readers is one of surest ways for a writer to find a way forward.

This creative writing retreat offers a period of intense concentration, outside your everyday life, with like-minded people who will read and discuss your work, as you read and discuss theirs - under the guidance of one of New Zealand's most experienced authors. Elizabeth Knox has written best-selling novels, science fiction, young adult (YA) fiction and is also a highly acclaimed creative non-fiction author.

You will be invited to submit a piece (or two) of writing before the retreat weekend (3000 to 6000 words altogether) in good time for everyone to read each other's work before we meet. This ensures everyone will turn up well-prepared to get the most out of an intense period of workshopping.

The weekend will also allow for one-on-one 'story doctoring' sessions with Elizabeth. The aim of the weekend is that everyone who attends will leave with a clear feeling for how to proceed with confidence, energy, and renewed engagement.