NOVEMBER 5–8, 2026 · CAMDEN, MAINE
Find Your Plot
A fiction writing retreat with Daniel David Wallace.
Limited Capacity • Fiction Workshops • Office Hours • Writing Time • Coastal Walks • Shared Meals
The retreat kicks off Thursday at 5 p.m. with a Welcome Dinner at the Villager Cafe and
master classes beginning Friday morning.
Many of us dream of writing a (good) novel.
We can picture our story’s world in detail, hear the dialogue, and imagine our characters moving through it. But when we try to write it, the path can become foggy—especially in the middle. And once we finish a draft, conflicting feedback can leave us unsure where to go next.
If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Vividly imagining your characters’ world is essential, but writing a compelling novel also requires the ability to design a great story.
That’s the goal of Find Your Plot, a three-day fiction writing retreat in downtown Camden. In the quiet of November, you’ll step away from everyday obligations, immerse yourself in your writing, and find your way forward.
Led by fiction teacher Daniel David Wallace, the retreat introduces his “Character-First Writing” approach, which helps writers understand their stories through the reader’s connection to the protagonist. It’s not a formula, but a way to re-see your story, strengthen its structure, and return to the joy of telling it.
Retreat Experience
Day One focuses on the big picture of plotting a compelling novel. We’ll explore how to hook readers from page one, shape characters whose goals, desires, and fears drive the plot, and tackle the famously difficult “messy middle”—including why so many novels stall around page 75.
Day Two brings us closer to the page. We’ll look at the choices that make readers say, “You’re a great writer,” including chapter openings and endings, dialogue, narration and exposition, and when to turn an event into a scene versus a summary.
Throughout the retreat, you’ll work directly on your own fiction. Attendees will have the opportunity for some back and forth with Daniel in a more informal setting, during a dedicated ‘open office hours’ session.
Between sessions, there will be time to write, explore downtown Camden, take a guided coastal or harbor walk, and continue conversations over meals and coffee. We’ll wrap up Sunday morning after breakfast.
What’s Included:
Fiction writing workshops with Daniel David Wallace
Two craft workshops on story structure and plotting, with guided exercises and writing prompts
Structured independent writing time
A guided coastal or harbor walk
Three nights’ lodging
Shared meals throughout the retreat, including a welcome dinner, lunches, and catered breakfasts at the Inn
A walkable downtown Camden experience
Not Included:
Transportation to and from Maine
Meet Daniel David Wallace
Daniel David Wallace is a fiction teacher followed by more than 14,000 aspiring and established authors. He developed his Character-First Writing framework from decades of teaching and a PhD in creative writing, helping writers bridge the gap between their vision and readers’ hunger for connection and meaning.
Writers often praise Daniel’s ability to listen to a story and understand what it needs—without relying on formulas or familiar truisms. Some call him the “novel whisperer,” though he suspects someone else has already trademarked it.
A devotee of William Blake and defender of the endangered “cumulative sentence,” Daniel is also known to illustrate his points with examples from K-Pop Demon Hunters. He hosts the annual storytelling conference Escape the Plot Forest, and his own novel-in-progress is represented by Inkwell Management.
Accommodations
Guests stay in the heart of downtown Camden, steps from bookstores, galleries, cafés, and the harbor. Comfortable accommodations and walkable surroundings create an ideal environment for reflection, writing, and connection.
Retreat Hosts
Find Your Plot is produced by the Midcoast Villager and the Villager Cafe, a community gathering space in the heart of downtown Camden. Together, they host conversations, cultural events, and creative programming that bring people together around storytelling, ideas, and civic life.
Participation in this retreat helps support independent local journalism and community-centered cultural programming in Midcoast Maine.
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If you are comfortable with small planes, Cape Air has multiple flights a day from Boston to Knox County Airport in Rockland (RKD), which is 15 minutes from Camden.
Other options are Portland (PWM), about 90 minutes by car from Camden, or Bangor (BGR), slightly closer.
We are 3.5 hours from Boston (BOS) if you are looking to explore New England before or after the retreat.
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Participants are responsible for their own transportation. We are happy to help coordinate rides and carpools for anyone wishing to participate in advance. Further details will be available upon request.
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Yes, of course! We have complementary parking at the hotel.
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We’re happy to do our best to accommodate common dietary needs and food allergies. Please share any restrictions with us when you register so our team can plan accordingly.
If you have a severe allergy, we encourage you to reach out to us in advance so we can discuss options.
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A $200 nonrefundable deposit, plus 8% tax ($216 total), is due at registration. Registration is confirmed upon payment. The remaining balance for your selected ticket is due October 5, 2026.
Because this is a small retreat with limited enrollment and significant costs committed in advance, we’re unfortunately unable to offer flexible refunds.
All deposits are nonrefundable. For cancellations through October 12, 50% of payments beyond the deposit will be refunded if we are able to fill your spot. After October 12, all payments are nonrefundable.
Travel Details & FAQ
To be the first to hear about upcoming retreats, please contact retreat curator Lucia Graves lgraves@midcoastvillager.com