Has anyone went to the banff writers retreat? Thoughts?

I don't say this to be cruel or to embarrass you, but anyone who writes "Has anyone went to..." is not yet ready for a writing retreat of any kind. You don't really need quiet free from distractions among the inspiration of nature to write that book in your head. You need to master basic English grammar.

That sounds difficult, but if you want to write, it's vital--and it doesn't have to be that hard. Buy a copy of a grammar and usage textbook aimed at students in grade 7 or 8. Start at the beginning, even if you think you know it, and master every section, going over it as much as you need to at whatever pace works for you. As you do this, periodically review past sections. Jot yourself notes on the parts you keep messing up, on your computer's word processing software, in effect writing your own textbook for your individual weaknesses. When you finish the whole book, and have learned and can apply everything in it, then you might be ready for a writing retreat.

Whether that takes three months, or two years, or never happens is entirely up to you. But if you don't, you limit your chance on book sales, even self-published. People see mistakes in "Look Inside" and choose something else.

I hope you'll do it, even though it's not much fun. It can turn you into a person who knows a lot about words, and every writer is one of those people.

The Banff area is a focus of the Archangel Michael, who works especially with the Word. Related: "The Masters and Their Retreats." So the retreat might resonate with the Archangel.

Have you "went" to first grade to learn how to speak English correctly? Apparently not. Idiot.