What if the key to unlocking your most vibrant, creative self hid in a writing retreat? If you are thinking, “Well, I’m not a writer,” think again. This writing retreat can spark joy, foster deep connections, and transform your approach to creativity and your life.
If that sounds like a tall order for a writing retreat, keep reading. Perusing testimonials for the Imaginative Storm Retreat, I wasn’t sure if it was a writing retreat or a personal development seminar. One retreat participant wrote, “It’s life changing. . .” Another said, “. . .I feel the Imaginative Storm process is ever getting me closer and closer to a more conscious understanding of my life.” A third commented, “It’s infusing my entire life with creativity.”
Wait. What? This is a writing workshop, not a self-improvement weekend. When I had the opportunity to speak with Allegra Huston and James Navé, the facilitators of the Imaginative Storm retreat, my first question was, “How does a writing retreat change people’s lives?”
Huston smiled and said, “We didn’t start it knowing that it was going to improve people’s lives. We started it to help writers become better writers. We’ve discovered that our method also has this side effect–or maybe it’s the real effect–of improving people’s lives and improving the quality of their everyday experiences.”

Allegra Huston & James Navé, the facilitators of the Imaginative Storm retreat

She explained that during Imaginative Storm workshops, participants are asked to write for ten minutes. “By writing ten minutes of anything you’re not trying to write well. . . You’re not writing for the result, you’re writing for the process, for the creative discovery, the expansion of your imaginative intelligence. And when you do that, you have a creative practice. Happiness researchers will tell you that one of the vitally important components of being happy is to have a creative practice. Writing is actually one of the easiest you can have because anyone can write for 10 minutes.”
Side note: Huston’s reference to happiness research is correct. A 2016 study showed a link between daily creativity and increased happiness and sense of purpose.
James Navé continued, “At its core, the Imaginative Storm Retreat is about writing—raw, surprising, deeply honest writing—and how that creative act leads to real change. One participant said, ‘I found myself communicating deep memories and emotions I hadn’t accessed in years.’ And as another writer put it, “The pen keeps going—and amazing things arise.’”
Hmmm, so this exercise of writing for ten minutes is a path to creativity and self-discovery. This sounds better than other creative writing exercises I’ve heard of.

The Difference Between Morning Pages and Ten-Minute Writing

Remember Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way? (First published in 1992) She recommends three pages of morning stream-of-consciousness writing. She explained this daily exercise to overcome the obstacles that stop you from becoming your most creative self. I know several people who swear by this method to this day. For me, Huston and Navé’s ten minutes of writing is far more accessible.
Navé (who worked with Julia Cameron) explains, “While both practices involve daily writing, they offer very different experiences. Morning pages are meant to be free-flowing and meditative—more of a wandering through thought—while the Imaginative Storm’s ten-minute writing is a focused, intentional creative act. People often respond to the Imaginative Storm approach because it feels so distinct from the morning pages. Some writers love the freedom of morning pages; others find them difficult or resist them entirely.”
Huston divulged that writing in 600 second intervals is just one aspect of the Imaginative Storm method. They also encourage writing by hand and reading what you wrote out loud.
So far, all of this sounds very do-able. But can this really change someone’s life? I’m gonna need a little more to go on here.

More Than Just Writing

Huston and Navé were good natured about my skepticism. They asserted that while great for writers, the retreat’s impact goes beyond writing. They say participants often experience:

Hmmm, reduced self-judgment? I’m warming to this.

The Power of Play and Curiosity

They described that one of the key elements of the Imaginative Storm method is an emphasis on play and curiosity. Being an adult often requires losing touch with our imaginations. This retreat offers a safe, playful environment for reconnecting with your imagination. “Play is actually really important,” Huston noted. “We grow up and we put away childish things. But that’s a mistake. Play is a vitally important part of being human.”
I couldn’t help but notice that Huston was echoing the words of an expert on children’s play. Fred Rogers (a.k.a. Mr. Rogers) said, “For children, play is serious learning. Play is a way to cope with life and to prepare for adulthood. Playing is a way to solve problems and to express feelings. In fact, play is the real work of childhood.”

Learning through playing is so much more fun and yet there are so few opportunities for adults to do this. By asking “what if?”, Huston and Navé help people creatively view life’s challenges. This shift in perspective can lead to breakthroughs not just in writing, but in problem-solving and personal relationships as well.
Possibilities often feel better than absolutes. I can get on board with that. But what about the person who doesn’t see themselves as a writer? Why would a non-writer go to a writing workshop?

Breaking Down Creative Barriers

Many people believe they’re not creative or that they can’t write. The Imaginative Storm Retreat shatters these misconceptions. Huston shares, “The first discovery they make is that they can write, that they were under a delusion when they thought they couldn’t write. And along with that, they also make the discovery. If they have been the kind of person who says ‘I’m not creative,’ they suddenly discover that they are.”
Discovering this can be incredibly liberating, leading to more self-expression and growth.

A Supportive Community

The retreat offers a supportive community for self-discovery. In this safe environment, powerful moments of connection and self-realization can happen.
Huston and Navé recounted how a participant at a previous workshop shared a deeply personal and shameful experience. Instead of judgment, others admired her courage and empathy. “What happens is you become more human,” Huston explains. “We’re all human. We don’t know everything. We make mistakes.”
I can see how being present with your humanness and finding acceptance from others could be deeply healing. While I understood the retreat’s emotional effects, I wanted to know more about how they were achieved. They were very matter of fact in outlining the Imaginative Storm methods and why they work.

The Imaginative Storm Method in Practice

The retreat employs several key techniques:

It’s a deceptively simple process but harvests remarkable results. 

If you decide to come to La Veta June 21-22, don’t be surprised if the Imaginative Storm Retreat’s effects last well beyond your weekend. You will certainly gain tools for ongoing creativity and self-reflection. This may lead to improved relationships, a stronger sense of self, and increased well-being.
Whether you’re a seasoned writer looking to reignite your passion, someone who’s always wanted to write but never knew how to start, or simply an individual seeking a new perspective on life, the Imaginative Storm Retreat offers a unique opportunity for transformation.
Allegra Huston and James Navé assert, “If it’s not fun, why do it?” The Imaginative Storm Retreat promises not just learning, but joy, discovery, and a renewed sense of possibility. It’s an invitation to explore your creativity, connect with others, and perhaps even change your life. 
You can learn more and register by clicking here.
ReferencesCameron, J. (2016). The Artists Way: a spiritual path to higher creativity. Jeremy P Tarcher / Putnam. (Original work published 1992)
Conner, T. S., DeYoung C. G., & Silvia P. J. (2017). Everyday creative activity as a path to flourishing. Journal of Positive Psychology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1257049