Writing at The Fells

Writing Wednesdays with Tracy Wood

Please join Tracy Wood for a writing workshop on Wednesday mornings at the John Hay Estate.  The class will focus on the writing process through a workshop format, providing ample opportunities for individual writing and partner sharing.  Class participants will also be offered plenty of practical tools that can be applied to any writing project. 

Tracy has taught secondary school and community college for nearly twenty-years. She enjoys helping students find and develop their voice in a supportive, interactive environment. 

Writing Workshop - Tuesdays in July

“This is the Time When..." with Joni Cole - Tuesday, July 1, 2025 from 9:30 AM -11:30 AM

How do you turn a memory into a story?  In this interactive workshop, you'll learn how to mine for meaningful material, hook your readers, structure your story for maximum effect, and elevate your anecdotes in a way that makes readers care, understand, think, laugh, relate, and be forever changed by your stories. As part of the class, we'll workshop examples from participants’ work so please bring in 250 words to share aloud. This workshop welcomes beginners and seasoned authors. Bring something to write on/with and leave all self-doubts at the door. 

“Short Skirt, Long Jacket: Creating Characters from the Outside In” with Tracy Wood - Tuesday, July 8, 2025 from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
What is your protagonist’s favorite ice cream? How does your villain feel about cats? What type of pajamas does the evil stepmother wear? Before a writer can bring her characters to life on the page, she needs to know them like her own family, and even the most original story will fall flat if it isn’t populated with fascinating characters. Master the art of character development through this innovative approach to crafting memorable characters.  

"Write In" with Story Guide Masheri Chappelle - Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Join award-winning author and Story Guide Masheri Chappelle for an inspiring day of focused writing and creative guidance at The Fells. This unique "Write In" offers dedicated writing time in a beautiful setting, plus a personal 20-minute consultation with Masheri to help deepen your characters and advance your plot. Whether you're working on a novel, screenplay, or short story, you'll benefit from structured writing time, optional social connections during lunch, and professional insights to move your project forward.

"The Embodied Writer: A Mindfulness & Movement Creative Writing Workshop” with Candace Coakley and Liz Kinchen - Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Do you have a story inside you waiting to be told but don’t know where to begin? Find your creative flow in this two-hour Mindful Writing Workshop where movement, meditation, and writing intersect. Led by Candace Coakley and Liz Kinchen, participants will use gentle movement, guided mindfulness exercises, and intentional writing prompts to quiet the mind and deepen storytelling skills. Whether you're starting your first draft or refining a manuscript, this workshop offers tools to develop a sustainable writing practice and strengthen your creative voice. Open to writers of all levels.

Poetry Salon

Poetry Salon with NH Poet Laureate, Jennifer Militello Co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Writers’ Project and The John Hay Estate at The Fells - Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Join us for an intimate evening enjoying light refreshments while listening to poems and engaging in rich conversation around the arts and literature. The John Hay Estate at the Fells is known for its historic beauty. The Veranda overlooking the gardens and views of Lake Sunapee provides the perfect atmosphere for an evening of poetry. Spend time with other poets and lovers of poetry as New Hampshire’s Poet Laureate, Jennifer Militello discusses her own poems and the gift of New Hampshire’s literary landscape.

Save the Date - 2nd Annual Writing Festival

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 from 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Mark your calendars for an extraordinary day of literary exploration and creativity. Our full day writing festival returns, offering you the opportunity to learn from industry experts, develop your craft through hands-on workshops, and connect with fellow writers in our vibrant regional community. Set against the backdrop of early autumn at the estate, this festival promises to inspire and energize your writing practice.