Ashland, Virginia
The Writer’s Cottage Guest Book

I told everybody back home I was going on a writing retreat in Virginia for a week, but inside I thought of it as a second honeymoon with myself. Every day I was here, I counted the days I had left...They were going too fast. Days full of luxurious solitude, sitting on a white sofa in the sunshine, watching icicles drip outside the window. Phyllis says I wrote like a "little writing machine." It's true, I think I've accomplished six months of writing in six days. My writing voice feels both sturdier and more relaxed.

- J. Penley

This cottage is truly a remarkable creation - the size of it, the energy, the colors, lines and all the comforts you've provided. Just being here made me feel cared for and supported. And because of this I was totally free to write, to sit, to listen to stories in my head, draw, color, make charts, brainstorm or read for inspiration. These days in the cottage and with you, Phyllis, gave me the space and time to appreciate my stories and the help available to me, as well as to take a look at my demons - that which holds me back.

- P. Siegel

Your words and advice took me to the next level ten times faster than I could have done on my own. Now, here on my second visit, I feel so much more secure about my writing. I feel bien dans ma peau (good in my skin.) Thanks for everything.

- C. Lord

Hell hath no fury like a teacher who sees
More in you than you want to talk about.
All day long working words, shoving them
Back on themselves, to see which ones surrender.

Truth is, I surrendered, and just told my story.
It burbled out, an uncorked sweetness.
The man was becoming the writer.

And so there will never be a red house
Or the sound of a train, or a teacher
who does not fail to remind me of
The hurricane in my heart, beating red words.

Thank you for the wonderful gift of your time and the little red cottage.

- M. Kirkman