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09.18.25
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Join The Writing Ranch and the High Desert Museum on a unique weekend nature writing intensive at the Lodge at Summer Lake. Daily generative workshops will be led by Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston and will be complemented by morning and evening field trips with naturalist experts including Curator of Wildlife Jon Nelson. Lodging, food and experiences are included in the cost.
The annual Lost in Place Nature Writing Intensive is limited to 12 participants to ensure an exclusive desert and creative writing experience. During the morning field trips, the two-hour writing workshops each afternoon, and the evening presentations, the small size gives everyone ample opportunity to participate and to fully experience being part of a small but creatively mighty tribe of desert writers.
See the schedule below for details on the workshops, lectures and participants.
All questions can be directed to info@writingranch.com
September 18, 2025 – September 21, 2025
Lodge at Summer Lake in Summer Lake, Oregon
$1,200 a person, all-inclusive weekend
Space is limited! RSVP required!
Lost in Place Writing Intensive Schedule
(schedule subject to change)
Thursday, September 18
4:00 – 6:00 pm: Check-in and shown to lodging
6:00 – 8:30 pm: Welcome dinner, invocation by Ellen Waterston,
instructor at OSU Cascades’ Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing
Friday, September 19
8:30 – 9:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 pm: Nature expedition led by Jon Nelson
12:30 – 1:30 pm: Lunch
1:30 – 3:30 pm: Writing workshop with Ellen Waterston
3:30 – 5:30 pm: Free time
6:00 – 8:30 pm: Dinner and presentation by Dennis Jenkins
Saturday, September 20
8:30 – 9:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Exploration of archaeological sites with Dennis Jenkins
12:30 – 1:30 pm: Lunch
1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Writing workshop with Ellen Waterston
3:30 – 5:30 pm: Free time
6:00 – 8:30 pm: Lodge dinner. Participant reading.
Sunday, September 21
8:30 – 9:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 – 11:00 am: Finale
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm: To-go lunch preparation
1:30 – 4:30 pm: One-on-ones and writing time
12 noon – 12:30 pm: Cabin cleanup
12:30 pm: Depart