The Art of Conscious Travel Writing: Discovering Meaning in Our Outer and Inner Worlds, led by Shivya Nath (Registration Closed)
In the age of Instagram trends and overtourism, this workshop gently draws us back to the essence of travel writing – a deeply transformational experience that can allow us to make sense of the journeys we take across the world and within. Away from the pressures of social media and the digital world, we’ll explore how slowness and mindful interactions can change the way we travel and write.
This workshop will take place over 4 days – and give us time to explore and nurture both, the traveller and writer within us. Sessions will include intention-setting, discussions, group writing, and collective reading. We’ll spend an afternoon or two outdoors, experiencing the joy of discovery and writing in the quiet of nature. The workshop will focus on getting in touch with our own unique voice, and include a session on the practicalities of publishing travel writing (pitching, publishing and the editorial process).
The workshop will begin at 10 am on 28th February, and end by noon on 2nd March. Participants are requested to leave behind their digital devices, and embrace the joy of writing in a notebook during the workshop. Conscious plant-based eating, digital minimalism and time for self-reflection are encouraged during these four days. No prior experience in writing is required.
Tentative Schedule
Day 1
Morning: 10 am to 12 noon with a short break
Afternoon: Prompt for self-exploration
Day 2
Morning: 10 am to 12 noon with a short break
Afternoon: Outdoor writing session
Day 3
Outdoor writing session with hike and picnic lunch (depending on the ability and interest of the group): 11 am to 3 pm
Day 4
Morning: 10 am – 12 noon with a short break
Registration
Inspired and in line with Deer Park’s philosophy, this retreat is offered free of charge. Accommodation and food are as per actuals, and students are welcome to offer Dana/donation to support Deer Park’s work.
For queries, registration & accommodation, please email: info@deerpark.in
About the facilitator
Shivya Nath grew up in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, and quit her corporate job at age 23 to pursue the dream of becoming a travel writer. She lived out of two bags for nearly seven years, spending time with local and Indigenous communities around the world, writing stories at the intersection of meaningful travel, the environment and local communities. She is the author of The Shooting Star, a bestselling travel memoir published by Penguin in 2018. Her work has been published in BBC Travel, National Geographic Traveller, The Washington Post and other publications. In 2023, she became a recipient of the prestigious Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards by the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). She runs a widely read travel blog, and shares bite-sized written and visual stories on Instagram @shivya.