Empowered and ready to Write the Damn Dissertation!

"Empowered" Residential Writing Retreat for Women Scholars
October 31 - November 4, 2022
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

The Dissertation does not have to Suck the Life Out of You.

Get to the root cause of writing resistance. Acknowledge it. Overcome it. Establish a daily writing routine with the peace of mind, confidence, and unstoppable progress and momentum that only comes with taking consistent action.

Get to the root cause of writing resistance. Acknowledge it. Overcome it. Establish a daily writing routine with the peace of mind, confidence, and unstoppable progress and momentum that only comes with taking consistent action.

"Empowered"

is a transformative writing retreat for female scholars desiring the ability to write with ease, and creating a slow and relaxed focus on productivity and output so that when you return home, you can make progress while also being fully present to the ones you love in the process.

Leave your daily responsibilities and the stress of multiple competing priorities and focus on your writing with an openness of what’s possible. Escape to the beach in the fall, with sounds of the waves crashing on the sand. You’ll connect with a group of other amazing women writers and together, you will learn to recognize and overcome the root cause of writing resistance. The limiting beliefs that have been paralyzing you, keeping you stuck, and have sucked the love out of your research. 

Transform your writing time and unlock ease and flow.

How will Empowered Help?

How will Empowered Help?

How will Empowered Help?

Break Through Writing Resistance

We help women uncover the root cause of writing resistance, so that you can understand why it happens, what to do to move past it, and how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, so that you can uncover the joy in the writing process while still enjoying your life as you transform into the next version of yourself.

Sustain Focus and Motivation

We help you understand what time of day is your optimal writing time, help you find small pockets of time to write, and better understand what type of accountability motivates you to take action.

Save Time and Maximize Writing Efficiency by Focusing on Output

Stop putting your life on hold and missing out on the things you love  while you lock yourself in your house to “write” for a whole day on the weekend. You write along side other women in the program, keep track of progress and celebrate your progress with the other amazing women in the program. You get to make progress on your dissertation while still enjoying spending time doing the things you love most.

Thrive with a Daily Writing Habit

You will identify and eliminate the habits that are not serving you and the goals you have set for yourself. We help you take on a consistent writing habit by shifting your focus from the doing and onto your identity as a writer. We focus on the writer’s ways of being.

Slow and Relaxed Focus

No more “hair on fire” writing, or rushing to meet deadlines with very little time. We help you identify your milestone goals so that you can approach your writing with a slow and relaxed focus that keeps you moving toward progress.

Save Time and Maximize Writing Efficiency by Focusing on Output

Stop putting your life on hold and missing out on the things you love  while you lock yourself in your house to “write” for a whole day on the weekend. You write along side other women in the program, keep track of progress and celebrate your progress with the other amazing women in the program. You get to make progress on your dissertation while still enjoying spending time doing the things you love most.

Thrive with a Daily Writing Habit

You will identify and eliminate the habits that are not serving you and the goals you have set for yourself. We help you take on a consistent writing habit by shifting your focus from the doing and onto your identity as a writer. We focus on the writer’s ways of being.

Slow and Relaxed Focus

No more “hair on fire” writing, or rushing to meet deadlines with very little time. We help you identify your milestone goals so that you can approach your writing with a slow and relaxed focus that keeps you moving toward progress.

We include everything above, with the most important element of the program. A sisterhood of other women writers just like you, juggling multiple competing priorities in life while also achieving the goal of the terminal degree.

This structure writing retreat is based on the research of Dr. Rowena Murray.

What's it like Working with Write The Damn Dissertation

Your Wins

It doesn’t matter if you are just starting the writing process, or if you have been stuck for years. Empowered will help you identify and let go of habits that are not serving you, so you can establish and sustain a writing routine.

  • Gain Clarity. Discover the root cause of writing resistance.
  • ​Make Progress. Learn to write with a slow and relaxed focus.
  • ​Maintain Self Integrity. Keep your word to yourself and hit your goals.
  • ​Work to Produce. With a focus on output, make the most of your writing time.
  • ​Enjoy Non-Writing Time. Since you are focused on output, you get to relax and be fully present while doing things that bring you joy when you are not writing.
  • ​Practice Self-Kindness. That means being warm and understanding to all the complex parts of ourselves.
  • ​Be Connected and Supported. Be seen and supported by the amazing women in our writing community.

Who Can Attend the Empowered Women’s Writing Residency?

The Empowered Writing Residency is open to any woman scholar who wants to step into the identity as a writer, and transform their writing practice from the inside out. Our ideal participants are women writing their doctoral dissertations or women academic writers struggling with writer’s block.

How do I know if the Empowered Retreat is for me?

This retreat is for women writers who:

  • Want to recommit to their writing practice
  • ​Value community connection and support
  • ​Want to uncover the root cause of writing resistance
  • ​Are ready to ditch the belief that writing must suck the life out of you
  • ​Are committed to an intentional writing practice
  • ​Feel like if they could just have some protected time to be cared for, and to write and reflect, that they could make progress and Write the Damn Dissertation!

This retreat is NOT for women writers who:

  • Just want to be alone by themselves to write
  • ​Aren’t looking for a community to connect with
  • ​Are already making great progress and are just looking for a place to write
  • ​Need some “hair on fire” writing time… you have a serious deadline to meet and only have a week to do it
  • ​Have no desire to talk about feelings and emotions and how they impact the writing process

The Empowered Retreat Includes

Inspiring Writing Environment

  • Daily Writing Coaching with Dr. Amy - In the morning sessions, we provide you with coaching to tap into your writer identity, and the evening sessions include group coaching, group discussions, and Q&A sessions.
  • ​Four Days of Writing Time - We have coaching sessions together every morning and every evening. There will be plenty of time to write whether you are an early morning writer, afternoon writer, or evening writer.
  • ​Professional Headshot Photos - With a focus on completion energy and an openness to what’s possible, we have a professional photographer onsite taking headshot photos. Each retreat attendee will receive your own headshot which you are free to use for future opportunities.
  • ​Two Days of Afternoon Yoga - new and seasoned yogi are welcome! The sessions are designed to keep you refreshed, centered, empowered, energized, and ready to write.
  • ​Daily Walks on the Beach - join us for a group walk every morning, or every evening… or both!
  • ​Community Connection with the most amazing community of women writers. They are Just like you. Juggling multiple competing priorities while also writing. We have the most warm and supportive group of empowered women in our circle!
  • ​A Beautiful Writing Environment - The Outer Banks of North Carolina in the off-season is magical. Enjoy the beauty and serenity of the beach without all the crowds. The retreat house is private, with multiple writing nooks and gathering spaces.

Room, Board, Ground Transportation, and Lodging

  • Luxury Accommodations - Four nights of peaceful accommodations. Each guest will stay in a private king bedroom with a private bathroom and shower.
  • ​All Meals are Provided - Four days and nights of healthy, delicious foods including nutritious breakfasts and lunches, and dinners prepared by our personal chef and personally aligned to you based on your dietary preferences.
  • ​Transportation from Norfolk International Airport to Retreat Home - While your tuition does not include air transportation, we have two buses that will depart from the Norfolk International Airport and take you to the retreat location. We have a single bus that will transport you from the retreat home back to the Norfolk International Airport at the conclusion of the retreat.
  • ​Optional Restorative and Recreational Amenities - Amenities inside the home include an exercise center with cardio equipment and yoga mats, a movie theater, ping pong table, air hockey, and a video game room. While the onsite pool will be closed for the season during the retreat, there are outdoor hot tubs located on the exterior of the home which you are free to enjoy during your retreat.

Room, Board, Ground Transportation, and Lodging

  • Luxury Accommodations - Four nights of peaceful accommodations. Each guest will stay in a private king bedroom with a private bathroom and shower.
  • ​All Meals are Provided - Four days and nights of healthy, delicious foods including nutritious breakfasts and lunches, and dinners prepared by our personal chef and personally aligned to you based on your dietary preferences.
  • ​Transportation from Norfolk International Airport to Retreat Home - While your tuition does not include air transportation, we have two buses that will depart from the Norfolk International Airport and take you to the retreat location. We have a single bus that will transport you from the retreat home back to the Norfolk International Airport at the conclusion of the retreat.
  • ​Optional Restorative and Recreational Amenities - Amenities inside the home include an exercise center with cardio equipment and yoga mats, a movie theater, ping pong table, air hockey, and a video game room. While the onsite pool will be closed for the season during the retreat, there are outdoor hot tubs located on the exterior of the home which you are free to enjoy during your retreat.

Support Before and After the Retreat

  • Private One Hour 1:1 Coaching Call via Zoom to Prepare for the Retreat.
  • ​Group Planning Session and Q&A via Zoom to Prepare for the Retreat.
  • ​Tools and Resources to help you continue the momentum after the retreat is over, integrating what you have learned in the retreat at home in your daily life.

2022 Empowered Retreat Tuition

  • Regular Price $4997 per person.
  • ​Large King Size Bed.
  • ​Private Bathroom with Shower.
  • ​Single Occupancy.
  • ​Regular Price $4997 per person.
  • ​Large King Size Bed.
  • ​Private Bathroom with Shower.
  • ​Single Occupancy.

Writing Nook with Ocean View

Single Occupancy King Bedroom

Living Room with Ocean View

Allow yourself to be pampered for the week. You are worthy of all the opportunities coming your way.

 Monday, Oct 31, 2022

Buses to leave Norfolk airport at 1:15 and 3:00 pm

  • 3:30 - 5:00 pm - Arrival & Check In
  • 6:00 - 7:00 pm - Welcome Meal and Opening Remarks
  • ​7:00 - 8:30 pm - Orientation and Goal-Setting Workshop

 Tuesday, Nov 1, 2022 - Thursday, Nov 3, 2022

  • 7:00 am - Sunrise walk/run on the beach
  • 8:00 am - Breakfast
  • ​8:30 am - 9:45 am - Morning Writing Workshop
  • ​9:45 am - 10:00 am - Quick Walk before Writing Time
  • ​10:00 am - 12:30 pm - Writing Time
  • ​12:30 pm - 1:00 pm - Lunch
  • ​1:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Writing Time / *Optional Private Coaching Meetings
  • ​4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Idle Time (Yoga/Meditation)
  • ​6:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Dinner
  • ​7:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Coaching Meeting

 Friday, Nov 4, 2022

  • 8:00 am - 9:00 am - Breakfast
  • 9:00 am - 10:00 am - Retreat Closing
  • ​10:00 am - 11:00 am - Departures (Bus leaves for the Norfolk Airport at 10:15)

*Schedule is approximate and may vary slightly. All participants receive a finalized schedule upon registration.

Retreat Location

Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

Enjoy the Outer Banks in the Fall. We are taking over a beautiful, relaxing, private ocean-front home in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. There are several indoor and outdoor (temps permitting) spaces to write. Every room includes a private bathroom with shower. 

The average temperature in late October and early November is 57°F to 65°F and is rarely below 47°F or above 75°F… perfect temperatures for a hoodie or light jacket. The Sun rises at 7:24 pm and sets at 6:07 pm.

While the pools will be closed during the retreat, there are three hot tubs on the decks of the retreat home that will be open and waiting for you.
Fall sunsets are amazing… perfect for evening walks and early morning walks on the beach.

Accommodation Gallery

What is the structure of the retreat?

Every day will include at least two opportunities for movement/exercise, a morning writing workshop and an afternoon group coaching session, and uninterrupted opportunities for deep writing time. We will share all of our meals together. You won’t need to leave the retreat premises at all during the retreat unless you would like to walk and explore.

What can I expect in terms of coaching?

We spend some time in reflection and discovery at the beginning of the week, with a focus on the future and possibility. We will interact with each other via small group, large group, and individual reflection. You are free to share during our time together if you feel comfortable doing so. Our reflection and discovery times are not therapy sessions. Instead, we bring awareness to what has been holding you back from being the writer you want to be. Our work is informed by our past, but focused on the present and the future.

How many people will be there?

We can accommodate no more than 25 retreat attendees.

How do I get there?

We do not provide transportation from your home to the retreat. The retreat home is located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The address will be provided to retreat attendees prior to the retreat.

Do you provide ground transportation?

While we don’t provide transportation from your home to the retreat, we do have two vans that will transport retreat attendees from the Norfolk International Airport to the retreat home. If you arrive at a different airport other than the Norfolk International Airport, it is your responsibility to get to the retreat home.

Is this retreat only for women?

Yes. This retreat is for anyone who identifies as a woman/womxn/womyn. We lean into the concept of the power of a sisterhood for support and community.

Can I bring my spouse/family/parent/friend/guest?

No. Only paid retreat attendees, retreat staff and services personnel are permitted in the retreat home.

What if I have a mobility issue?

There is a question in the retreat application where you can share accommodation requests.

What form of payment do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards at Write the Damn Dissertation.

Is there a payment plan?

Yes. If you opt to take the payment plan, the full cost of the retreat will be split into 3 equal payments. Your 1st payment will be taken immediately to confirm your spot. The remaining payments will be taken from the same credit card monthly (30-days apart).

Your payment must be completed by the pre-retreat training which will take place 6 weeks before the retreat date. This means that payment plans for the retreat will only be available for those who register by July 12, 2022. 

By registering under the payment plan, you are occupying a spot that we cannot give to anyone else. Therefore, all payments made under this arrangement are non-refundable.

Will you invoice my university for my attendance?

No. We provide you with the receipt of purchase that you may submit to your university for reimbursement.

What if I have more questions?

Schedule a Retreat Consult Call below or here. You can also send an email to team@writethedamndissertation.com and we will be happy to help!

Our policy is designed to allow you to change your mind without requiring Dr. Amy to lose the opportunity to work with another scholar. 

If Write the Damn Dissertation cancels or postpones a retreat, you may do one of the following:

  • transfer your retreat payment to a future online or in-person retreat.
  • receive a full refund to the original form of payment.

If you cancel your registration:

  • 90 days or more prior to the start of the writing retreat, you receive: 100% credit of the cost of the retreat toward another writing retreat within 12 months.
  • 89-45 days prior to the start of the writing retreat, you receive: 50% credit of the cost of the retreat toward another writing retreat within 12 months, and will forfeit the remainder.
  • ​Fewer than 45 days prior to the start of the writing retreat, you receive: no refunds or credits.

*If you are a participant who registers using the payment plan and cancels at any time, you will receive no refunds or credits. That's because by registering using the payment plan, you're occupying a spot we cannot give to anyone else. Therefore, all payments made under this arrangement are nonrefundable.

To Cancel Your Registration

Please email us at team@writethedamndissertation.com. Your cancellation will be complete when you receive a confirmation return email from us.

Travel Delay Policy

We do not give refunds or discounts for late arrival, early departure, flight cancellations, travel delays, or illness. We wish we could provide compensation for these unforeseen circumstances, but unfortunately we can't afford to cover the extra costs incurred by these predicaments.

Still have questions?

Still have questions?

© 2022 Dr. Amy Boyd, LLC