This is like summer camp for like-minded adults. It was a chance to connect with other writers, but also an opportunity to reconnect with myself, which is what retreats are all about in my estimation.
Austin Film Festival’s Ghost Ranch Writers Retreat has allowed writers to explore finding and developing their creative voice. Tyler Savage, 2020 AFF Dark Matters Audience Award winner and 3 time Ghost Ranch attendee, recently shared about his experience at Ghost Ranch.
I’ve attended the AFF Ghost Ranch retreat three summers in a row and I seem to get something new out of it each time. My connection to AFF began in 2020, when my second feature, STALKER (fka Blinders), won the Dark Matters Audience Award. 2020 obviously wasn’t an ideal year for festivals and filmmakers. While it was frustrating to launch a film through remote-only events, AFF did a great job of making me feel welcomed into the community. So when the opportunity arose to attend their very first Ghost Ranch retreat the following summer, I jumped at it.
I’m not sure what I was hoping to find that first year at Ghost Ranch, but it turned out to be exactly what I needed. I was going through a somewhat turbulent period at the time, and a retreat to NM seemed like a good idea. It was. I recall my initial impression: This is like summer camp for like-minded adults. It was a chance to connect with other writers, but also an opportunity to reconnect with myself, which is what retreats are all about in my estimation. It was both fun and creatively nurturing. I left that first year with new friends, a new writing group, and renewed energy for the work.
In addition to some of the incredible people I’ve met at Ghost Ranch these past few years, many of whom are now close friends, it’s also the land itself that keeps bringing me back. For anyone who has yet to explore the southwest or spend significant time in New Mexico, you have a treat in store. Abiquiú is a magical and restorative place. There’s a tangible energy to the landscape, something that encourages reflection and sparks inspiration. While I’m sadly unable to attend this year’s retreat, I know I’ll be back soon enough for more good conversation on the mesa under the expansive NM sky.