Storme Arden reflects on her Hideout residency

Nova Scotia-based writer and artist Storme Arden joined us at The Hideout this past spring to work on a memoir detailing a decade of health challenges. We caught up with Storme recently to ask about her residency experience and to see if Storme had advice for other writers, creatives, and wellness practitioners thinking about applying for a Hideout residency.

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Tell us a bit about the project you worked on during your week at The Hideout.

My project is essentially a memoir covering almost a decade of one illness morphing into another increasing in severity along the way. Celiac disease became multiple myeloma which required a stem cell or bone marrow transplant; it wipes out one’s immune system completely. This vulnerable state led to contracting a deadly virus: Guillain Barré Syndrome. The latter put me in the ICU intubated, hallucinating and completely paralyzed except for my eyes. The Covid-19 virus arrived within months of getting out of the hospital putting an end to maintenance chemotherapy. We turned our world further upside-down by upping stakes in 2020 and moving from St. Martins NB to Windsor NS not realizing we were leaving behind a community for isolation. PTSD hit at that point.

Needing to make sense of all of this and to extract something beneficial and creative from these experiences, I began writing. I applied what I knew from my experience as a visual artist and a lifelong love of reading to my new found form of expression. Along the way, I’ve learned what this sometimes life-threatening journey has really been about. I am finally nearing the end of a long process. The residency arrived at the end of a five-month intensive mentorship. I didn’t realize how much of a rest I needed until I arrived in the peace and quiet of the Hideout.

What did you enjoy most about your residency week at The Hideout?

I enjoyed the quiet most of all. We live on a busy highway in Nova Scotia surrounded by neighbours. The darkness was the second thing I greatly appreciated. I don’t get to see the stars and moon enough where we are despite not being in a city or town. I have to admit my third favourite aspect of the Hideout was the rich library of books. I read three adult books and at least three children’s books. I found a book very relevant to themes in my manuscript on the last morning there and Josh & Trevor were kind enough to let me borrow it and mail it back.

Why are residencies and retreats so vital for writers and creatives?

Creativity requires intense focus, concentration and persistence. Breaks are restorative especially in an environment outside of your regular life and home where there are always things that need one’s attention and labour. It’s helpful to have a change of scenery, stimulating to see new things and places and restful to get away from my house-to-do list. One can only draw from the well so long before it needs refilling.

Any tips for folks thinking about applying for a residency?

I had expectations about how much work I would accomplish during the residency. Josh and Trevor individually reassured me they didn’t have those expectations of me and that a rest can be as useful as pages written. Upon arriving home, new connections and ideas surfaced which were made possible by the time spent at the Hideout and the input from that experience. Stay open to the process. Listen for the nudges and hints. Enjoy what is offered and what is right in front of you.

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Storme Arden is a visual artist and writer working on a memoir entitled Stormy Weather: Getting Happy the Hard Way. She chronicles the ups and downs of living with refractory celiac disease, multiple myeloma and severe osteoporosis. Cancer treatment, including a stem cell transplant, landed her in the ICU. She woke fully paralyzed, hallucinating, intubated and on life support due to the rare virus, Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Needing a serious change of scenery, she and her partner left the cozy fishing village of St. Martins, NB in 2020 at the height of the pandemic to return to NS where they’d met as art students 30 years before. Despite suffering from PTSD, Arden found facing her mortality had resolved her lifelong struggle with depression.

Looking back: Hideout resident Robin Sutherland polishes a trio of short stories

To celebrate the fifth year anniversary of The Hideout residency program, we caught up with a number of previous Hideout residents to learn more about their writing projects and their advice for those considering a residency at The Hideout.

Writer Robin Sutherland joined as at The Hideout in 2021 (the height of the pandemic!) to work on a linked collection of short stories.

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Tell us a bit about the project you worked on during your week at The Hideout.

I was at The Hideout in the spring of 2021 to work on a collection of short stories that are based on my experiences as a lifeguard in the Toronto suburbs in the late 1980s and early 90s. More specifically, I wanted to develop three key stories: two of them start and end the collection, so I knew they would need to do a lot of heavy lifting in terms of introducing readers to my aquatic world and the main characters, and in establishing the atmosphere and central themes. The third story occurs about mid-way through the collection, so I envisioned the trio serving as a sort of spine for the whole collection.

What did you enjoy most about your residency week?

I'm all about a good daily routine to help keep me (and my writing) humming along. But too much of this good thing can bog me down, since routine involves same-old spaces and same-old time commitments. Retreats shake all of this up by providing you with a new space in which to work, and by disconnecting you from all of your regular commitments. It's like pressing a refresh button on your writing life. In my case, I was also at The Hideout a year into the pandemic, so getting out of my house was in itself a much-welcomed change.

Why are residencies and retreats so vital for writers?

It can be difficult to explain the job of writer to people who are not writers themselves, and for this reason, it can be equally as difficult to safeguard and privilege the task of writing. Residencies and retreats are hosted by people who 'get' that job, so in addition to gaining the space and time I mentioned above, you also gain a nice sense of validation or legitimacy as a writer.

Any tips for folks thinking about applying for a residency?

After my residency, I returned home—exuberant—because I accomplished what I set out to do: I had written a brand-new draft of the first story and had also fleshed out ideas for the concluding and mid-point stories. If I did not finish the whole collection during the retreat (I was in for another two years of hard work), I had made essential progress. My literary beast now had a sturdy backbone, and for the first time, I could also see the overall narrative arc of the collection. So my advice to anyone considering a retreat? Think small. Think specific. You want to come away from a retreat feeling like you are one step closer to where you want to be. I also advise writers to choose a place that offers them a chance to get away from their computers and recharge their bodies and minds. Thanks to the beautiful property surrounding The Hideout, and the complimentary yoga equipment, I was able to do just that on my breaks.

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Robin Sutherland is a writer and educator who now lives on Prince Edward Island. She writes short fiction and memoir, as well as Christmas feature scripts through Sea Stone Pictures, a company she co-founded with two other writers. Her short fiction has appeared in SPLASH!, The Broken City, lichen, Room of One’s Own, and Zygote.

Looking back: Hideout resident Deidra Dallas on getting away from it all

To celebrate the fifth year anniversary of The Hideout residency program, we caught up with a number of previous Hideout residents to learn more about their writing projects and their advice for those considering a residency at The Hideout.

Hideout Resident DEidra Dallas Visits the Goats at Island Hill Farm in Hampshire, PEI.

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Inspired by her love of PEI and Anne of Green Gables, Deidra Dallas returned to Prince Edward Island in 2023 for a weeklong residency at The Hideout, working on her novel-in-progress, The Goat.

Tell us a bit about the project you worked on during your week at The Hideout.

I worked on my novel The Goat: A Novel in 2 Acts, a humorous novel that incorporates elements of playwriting as well as traditional narrative elements to tell the story of Beatrice Smalls, a 32-year-old woman who moves back to her small West Texas hometown after the death of her father. Beatrice takes on the role of high school theatre teacher, and throughout the school year she falls a little bit in love with her new students, a lotta bit in love with the local agricultural teacher, and learns why living with your mother after the age of 18 is a terrible idea. Also, she adopts a goat. Chaos ensues. 

What did you enjoy most about your residency week?

That it wasn't home! I got to get away from all of my responsibilities and obligations and put my writing at the forefront of my mind and to-do list. My favorite part of my residency, though, was that I was on PEI, my absolute favorite place on earth. I got to spend time on the Island visiting places that inspire me (like Green Gables and the L.M. Montgomery homestead) and places that gave me much needed experiences that will help develop my novel (like Island Hill Farm, a local goat farm). And there's something magical about being in nature without worrying about whether or not you should be mowing the grass that really helps me to refocus my creative energy. 

Why are residencies and retreats so vital for writers?

Writing is such hard work mentally and emotionally, and it's especially hard to give it the commitment it needs when you have other mental, emotional, and physical draws on your time and energy. Getting to put everything else aside and focus on your craft is vital to anyone who wants to take their writing seriously. Residencies and retreats allow you to reset yourself and recommit to the big ideas swirling around inside your brain. 

Any tips for folks thinking about applying for a residency?

I suggest looking at places that you know you'd like to visit to help make your list of potential residencies (like PEI or Wales or Providence, Rhode Island--all places I've done writing retreats!). And then look at the financials. Money can be a big deterrent, so finding a way to get the most bang for your buck and making it a bit of a working vacation--the work being your writing!--is always something that helps me make the decision. And most importantly--just do it! If you are serious about writing, make time for your writing, and residencies are some of the best ways to prioritize yourself and your art.

Deidra Dallas is a freelance editor and quilter living in Ballinger, Texas. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University in 2022 and has been published in Go World Travel where she wrote about a solo trip to Prince Edward Island in the middle of winter. In her free time, she assists with the Ballinger High School band, travels as much as she is able, and follows her niece and nephews around to all of their respective sporting and artistic events. 

Looking back: Hideout resident Dr. Robert Mizzi re-works a key academic idea

To celebrate the fifth year anniversary of The Hideout residency program, we caught up with a number of previous Hideout residents to learn more about their writing projects and their advice for those considering a residency at The Hideout.

2022 Hideout Resident and CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR Dr. ROBERT MIZZI

Dr. Robert Mizzi, Canada Research Chair in Queer, Community, and Diversity Education at the University of Manitoba, joined us at The Hideout in 2022 to work on an academic paper.

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Tell us a bit about the project you worked on during your week at The Hideout.

 I was invited to write an academic paper that revisits my concept of “heteroprofessionalism,” published in 2013 in an academic journal. Now that the concept has reached its 10th anniversary, while at the Hideout, I explored how scholars and practitioners have taken up the concept over time and what I would update in light of neoliberalism. I am pleased to share that the paper will be published shortly!

What did you enjoy most about your residency week?

 I thoroughly enjoyed the daily balance of walking, thinking, cooking, writing, and socializing that shaped my residency week. This balance meant I could write clearly, thoughtfully, and passionately. I ended the week feeling uplifted and rejuvenated, ready to tackle life again.

Why are residencies and retreats so vital for writers?

Residencies and retreats are a form of professional development. They provide spaces for us to connect with other writers, learn their approaches, self-direct our learning, and take risks in our writing. We need these creative and calm spaces to flourish as writers.

Any tips for folks thinking about applying for a residency?

Do not shy away from proposing edgy and creative ideas in your project. The Residency provides a safe and refreshing space to explore new writing landscapes.

Dr. Robert Mizzi is the Canada Research Chair in Queer, Community and Diversity Education and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba. His most recent book is Queer Studies and Education: An International Reader (Oxford University Press, 2023). Dr. Mizzi is a member of the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame and the Royal Society of Canada.

Looking back: Hideout resident Laura MacGregor writes about The Island Walk

To celebrate the fifth year anniversary of The Hideout residency program, we caught up with a number of previous Hideout residents to learn more about their writing projects and their advice for those considering a residency at The Hideout.

Hideout resident Laura MacGregor on the shoreline of Prince Edward Island.

Laura MacGregor joined us at The Hideout in 2023 to work on a non-fiction account of her walking journey around Prince Edward Island through The Island Walk.

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Tell us a bit about the project you worked on during your week at The Hideout.

In June 2022 I drove from Ontario Prince Edward Island to complete The Island Walk, a month-long, 700km trek. During my time at The Hideout, my writing focused on the first draft of a memoir sharing my story of walking around the Island. Literally.

What did you enjoy most about your residency week?

My residency week at The Hideout offered a rare opportunity not only to write for uninterrupted stretches of time, but to do so in the environment where my story takes place. One day while at The Hideout I was struggling with a passage about walking along the Northern Cape. While poring over photos of my hike from the previous year, it occurred to me that I could drive an hour and be at the Northern Cape. I packed a lunch and spent the afternoon walking and writing at the beach. 

Why are residencies and retreats so vital for writers?

Life is busy and writing requires not only time, but for me, emotional separation from the clutter and noise of responsibilities and busy-ness.  To be offered a week where my only activities were journaling, writing, reading, and walking was a rare gift.

Any tips for folks thinking about applying for a residency?

 I found it helpful to arrive to my residency with realistic writing goals. Rather than planning to simply “write,” my week at The Hideout focused on penning scenes that centred around specific Island locations. But more than anything, I would encourage writers-in-residence to lean into the luxury of an idyllic week of writing amid a peaceful landscape ensconced in a cozy cottage.  Really, does it get any better?

Laura MacGregor is a writer, researcher, ethicist, hiker, and knitter. She holds a PhD in Human Relations, an MA in Christian Studies, as well as a master’s and undergraduate degree in the health sciences.  Emerging from personal experience, her work focuses on the spiritual journeys of parents raising profoundly disabled children.

 
A lapsed academic, Laura volunteers with The Island Walk (PEI), the Grand Valley Trails Association (ON), and the Canadian Non-Fiction Collective.  She spends most mornings wrestling with a manuscript telling the story of walking around PEI – literally – as a way to process her son’s death.

Lauren Jean Lawlor, 2023 Hideout residency scholar

Island writer named Hideout residency scholarship winner

Island writer Lauren Jean Lawlor has been named this year’s Hideout residency scholarship winner. The scholarship will allow Lawlor to attend a one-week self-directed fall writing residency at The Hideout, a boutique retreat and vacation property located in North Tryon, PEI.

“We created the Hideout residencies as a low-cost opportunity for writers, wellness practitioners, and other artists to remove themselves from responsibilities and dedicate themselves fully to their creative and personal practice,” says Trevor Corkum, co-owner of The Hideout. “Lauren’s project is a great fit for our residency program and we look forward to welcoming her to The Hideout this fall.”

Lauren Jean Lawlor is a writer currently based in Charlottetown. She was shortlisted for the Irving Layton Fiction Prize and her work has appeared in carte blanche and at the Neighbourhood Film Festival. During her time at the Hideout, Lawlor plans to work on a short story collection that re-imagines queer narratives in rural spaces.

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About The Hideout Residency Program

Located on PEI’s South Shore, The Hideout is a vacation and retreat property co-founded by author Trevor Corkum and therapist Joshua Lewis. The Hideout residency program provides low-cost opportunities for writers, artists, and practitioners from across Canada and the world to spend a full week focused on their practice. Each year, up to two full scholarships are awarded. Hideout scholars join a line-up of invited artists and a limited number of artists and practitioners chosen through a general application process.