5.0
Verified
Couldn't be better!
Thank you for a wonderful stay. Everything was perfect.
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What Happens Next? - Sonoma County Writers Camp
Top Rated
What Happens Next? - Sonoma County Writers Camp
4.95118 reviews
July 16 - 20, 2025
About this Retreat
Elizabeth Stark, a novelist (Shy Girl: FSG, Seal Press, finalist for the Ferro-Grumely and Lambda Literary Awards) and award-winning filmmaker (producer of Lost in the Middle: Best Feature at Broad Humor 2019 and a Festival Favorite at Cinema Diverse; co-director and co-writer of FtF: Female to Femme and Little Mutinies, distributed by Frameline), co-hosts the podcast Story Makers Show, and co-directs and teaches at Sonoma County Writers Camp and Book Writing World. She earned her MFA from Columbia University, and her work has appeared in The New York Times and The Rumpus.
Ellen Sussman is the New York Times bestselling author of four novels, A Wedding in Provence, The Paradise Guest House, French Lessons, and On a Night Like This. She is the editor of two critically acclaimed anthologies, Bad Girls: 26 Writers Misbehave and Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia of Sex. She teaches through Stanford Continuing Studies and in private classes and she is the co-founder and co-director of Sonoma County Writers Camp. www.ellensussman.com
Details of this retreat
We welcome back renowned authors Elizabeth Stark and Ellen Sussman for another Sonoma County Writers Camp!
As teachers and authors, Ellen Sussman and Elizabeth Stark have very different approaches to story structure. But we both agree that the simple question, "What happens next?" can, beat by beat, create a gripping plot and fuel a propulsive story.
Story and meditation both require a radical practice of staying in the present, moment by moment, writing or living into now. Staying curious and engaged about this moment, this breath, this step forward, the meditation tools we practice in the optional meditation sessions during camp, lend themselves to writing story: staying curious and engaged about this scene, this story moment. In this session of camp, we will tackle plot, exploring approaches to discovering and shaping your story, staying awake to the unfolding moment.
Find your way to organic character-rooted action with a cause-and-effect build. Make your story—whether short fiction, novel, memoir, or narrative nonfiction—a page turner without sacrificing depth, detail, and the pleasure of surprise for writer and reader. Let your moments unfold in these gorgeous surroundings, with delicious food, optional meditation, hikes, silent early morning writing, afternoon cafe writing, as well as workshops, an author master class, our thrilling student readings, and more.
Bonus Add-On
July 20-23
$1350, open ONLY to Camp Participants
Follow up your camp immersion with three days of writing retreat with Ellen, Elizabeth, seven other writers and YOU. Build on the inspiration you've gained, maintain the focus, and keep writing. Ellen and Elizabeth will be writing, too, with early morning meditative "writing from where you dream," ongoing cafe writing sessions in the later mornings and afternoons, shared meals and walks, and low-key, high positivity evenings of sharing work, chatting about books.
COVID POLICY: For your safety and ours, we require proof of vaccination AND negative test result from all visitors to Ratna Ling Retreat Center. We wish to provide peace of mind for all of our residents and guests.
SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):
Wednesday:
3pm Check-in
5pm Welcome Party
6pm Dinner
Thursday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Kum Nye with Andi
6pm Dinner + Ratna Ling Introduction
7:30pm Student Readings
Friday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Hike with Ellen
4pm Master Class with Visiting Author
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Student Readings
Saturday:
630am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Meditation with George
4:30pm Industry Panel
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Student Readings
Sunday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch + Closing
1:30pm Checkout
For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included - carpooling encouraged
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace,
spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.
vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about our retreats:
"Ratna Ling is beautiful, the accommodations are wonderful, very comfortable. I love the land and the animals and the trees - and the quiet."
"I am grateful that I got to lead a retreat at a place that is so special to me. We had such an amazing group of people. Thank you for all your support."
"I love it here and hope to continue coming for many years. The setting and sacredness of this space are the perfect place to retreat."
"A very beautiful and relaxing place. The cottage was really cozy. The food was wonderful. The staff was so nice."
“I loved having time to myself to reflect on my life and where I am going. Thank you Ratna Ling."
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious."
Read More
As teachers and authors, Ellen Sussman and Elizabeth Stark have very different approaches to story structure. But we both agree that the simple question, "What happens next?" can, beat by beat, create a gripping plot and fuel a propulsive story.
Story and meditation both require a radical practice of staying in the present, moment by moment, writing or living into now. Staying curious and engaged about this moment, this breath, this step forward, the meditation tools we practice in the optional meditation sessions during camp, lend themselves to writing story: staying curious and engaged about this scene, this story moment. In this session of camp, we will tackle plot, exploring approaches to discovering and shaping your story, staying awake to the unfolding moment.
Find your way to organic character-rooted action with a cause-and-effect build. Make your story—whether short fiction, novel, memoir, or narrative nonfiction—a page turner without sacrificing depth, detail, and the pleasure of surprise for writer and reader. Let your moments unfold in these gorgeous surroundings, with delicious food, optional meditation, hikes, silent early morning writing, afternoon cafe writing, as well as workshops, an author master class, our thrilling student readings, and more.
Bonus Add-On
July 20-23
$1350, open ONLY to Camp Participants
Follow up your camp immersion with three days of writing retreat with Ellen, Elizabeth, seven other writers and YOU. Build on the inspiration you've gained, maintain the focus, and keep writing. Ellen and Elizabeth will be writing, too, with early morning meditative "writing from where you dream," ongoing cafe writing sessions in the later mornings and afternoons, shared meals and walks, and low-key, high positivity evenings of sharing work, chatting about books.
COVID POLICY: For your safety and ours, we require proof of vaccination AND negative test result from all visitors to Ratna Ling Retreat Center. We wish to provide peace of mind for all of our residents and guests.
SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):
Wednesday:
3pm Check-in
5pm Welcome Party
6pm Dinner
Thursday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Kum Nye with Andi
6pm Dinner + Ratna Ling Introduction
7:30pm Student Readings
Friday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Hike with Ellen
4pm Master Class with Visiting Author
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Student Readings
Saturday:
630am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Meditation with George
4:30pm Industry Panel
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Student Readings
Sunday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch + Closing
1:30pm Checkout
For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included - carpooling encouraged
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace,
spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.
vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about our retreats:
"Ratna Ling is beautiful, the accommodations are wonderful, very comfortable. I love the land and the animals and the trees - and the quiet."
"I am grateful that I got to lead a retreat at a place that is so special to me. We had such an amazing group of people. Thank you for all your support."
"I love it here and hope to continue coming for many years. The setting and sacredness of this space are the perfect place to retreat."
"A very beautiful and relaxing place. The cottage was really cozy. The food was wonderful. The staff was so nice."
“I loved having time to myself to reflect on my life and where I am going. Thank you Ratna Ling."
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious."
Read More
Getting Here
Directions
San Francisco International and Oakland International airports are approximately three hours south of Ratna Ling by car. Alaska Airlines flies to and from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa which is approximately 1.5 hours from Ratna Ling by car. Unfortunately, there are no shuttles that bring you directly to Ratna Ling, so it is best to rent a car or email us to support in coordinating a carpool with fellow retreatants.
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Accommodation
14 guest cottages on 120 acres of property. Each spacious, quiet cottage has 2 private rooms, with high ceilings and a deck with a view. Cottages include jet tubs (or ADA shower), towels, deluxe linens, refrigerator, tea kettle, coffee/tea, kitchen sink/counter, diningware, dining table, and living room with a stove fireplace. Free wifi available and a landline telephone. Guests can choose to have an exclusive cottage for ONE person; a private room for ONE person in a SHARED cottage; or a cottage for TWO people. Any additional guest after TWO is $100 per person per night. Meals and classes included.
For 1 guest in Private Room, Shared Cottage, including meals and classes
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Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Three miles from the beautiful Sonoma coast. Organic, vegetarian meals. 120 acres of redwoods, canyons, reservoirs, and wildlife. Sacred architecture timber cottages and communal spaces. Featured stupas, gardens, and temple empowered by Tibetan Buddhist Lama Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche.
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Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
All of our meals are organic and vegetarian, made with love and care.
We provide homemade yogurt and granola for breakfast. Lunches and dinners always include salads or salad bar. Each meal is self-served on a buffet table.
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Customer Reviews
Verified
5.0
Verified
We left feeling balnaxed
My sister, daughter and I attended the balance weekend retreat. The food and cabins were amazing. The surroundings were stunning. We connected with other attendees and have four great yoga sessions. My sister also received a massage from Melody that she loved
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5.0
Verified
Balance yoga retreat April 2025
Just finished a very healing ,balancing and nourishing weekend at Ratna Ling Tibetan Center.
The location is ideal for unwinding and basking in the beauty and quiet.
Food was plentiful and delicious.... fresh veggies and fruit, fresh baked bread fantastic vegetarian main dishes.
Yoga was held in a beautiful studio with views of the forest from the deck outside mats and props supplied.
Instruction was with Dana Hancock from Sebastopol a very experienced and skillful teacher. The classes were 1-2 hours and left me feeling very grounded and refreshed.
During the free time I spent either meditating or walking the beautiful property that is surrounded by forest and redwood trees and a very sacred and peaceful meditation garden.
The cabins are spacious and well appointed very cozy and perfect for two people to share.Highly recommend Ratna ling!!
Linda P.
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The location is ideal for unwinding and basking in the beauty and quiet.
Food was plentiful and delicious.... fresh veggies and fruit, fresh baked bread fantastic vegetarian main dishes.
Yoga was held in a beautiful studio with views of the forest from the deck outside mats and props supplied.
Instruction was with Dana Hancock from Sebastopol a very experienced and skillful teacher. The classes were 1-2 hours and left me feeling very grounded and refreshed.
During the free time I spent either meditating or walking the beautiful property that is surrounded by forest and redwood trees and a very sacred and peaceful meditation garden.
The cabins are spacious and well appointed very cozy and perfect for two people to share.Highly recommend Ratna ling!!
Linda P.
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5.0
Verified
The land of beauty
So much beauty and spaciousness exists in Ratna Ling, it is hard to decide what to focus on first...
Was it the three red bellied newts in the forest of redwoods or the family of deer at the pond where many birds converse, that was my favorite moment at Ratna Ling. Maybe the himalayan ponies near the upper pond with the surrounding stupas near the dharma publishing area were what stole my heart...Or the serenity that enveloped and brought sense back to my higher wisdom that held me in reverence of
my life? That I believe was the mystical elixir of it all...
From the morning sun peaking over the mountain tops to the rising full moon illumination casting enlightened love thru the land, there is peace for me at Ratna LIng.
Shelli M. Read More
Was it the three red bellied newts in the forest of redwoods or the family of deer at the pond where many birds converse, that was my favorite moment at Ratna Ling. Maybe the himalayan ponies near the upper pond with the surrounding stupas near the dharma publishing area were what stole my heart...Or the serenity that enveloped and brought sense back to my higher wisdom that held me in reverence of
my life? That I believe was the mystical elixir of it all...
From the morning sun peaking over the mountain tops to the rising full moon illumination casting enlightened love thru the land, there is peace for me at Ratna LIng.
Shelli M. Read More
5.0
Verified
Oasis in a spiritual desert
My wife and I had heard of Ratna Ling from friends and family members who had visited and done retreats there. Living in Oregon, we didn’t feel like the long travel distance to another forested site would be worth the effort. Boy was I so wrong! When we arrived we were greeted warmly by the staff and escorted to our lovely cottage overlooking the rolling pastured hills of the Sonoma coast. Breathtaking. The wildlife surrounding us made us feel like we were in a Disney film- Snow White comes to mind. Turkeys, deer, ravens, herons and Jack rabbits were some of the many creatures we encountered there. Then there were the meditation spaces. Truly a retreat center that thought of everything. The vegetarian/vegan meals that were prepared for us were delicious and healthy. The desserts would rival any 5 star bakery and the bread was superb.
Overall, I would say that Ratna Ling offers a true feeling of getting away from it all. I hope we can return there sometime in the future. Well done and kudos to Linda and Gloria for making our stay a pleasure and restful experience. Read More
Overall, I would say that Ratna Ling offers a true feeling of getting away from it all. I hope we can return there sometime in the future. Well done and kudos to Linda and Gloria for making our stay a pleasure and restful experience. Read More
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