Hey all, and welcome to today’s recap post of the YWW Retreat 2026!

This past week was full of fun, laughter, writing (surprise, surprise), and learning—all good things.

I kicked off the first day by driving an hour to the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC. The drive was beautiful although there was about 30 minutes when I mildly thought I was going to die because of the rain completely obliterating my vision, but here we are—alive and well and only partially traumatized.

Upon arrival, I met up with my roommate, Shiloh Noelle (check out her author Instagram and blog!) and we got settled in our room before heading to orientation.

Here’s a variety of photos from our first afternoon/night at the retreat:

On the second day, I got the chance to write, hiding in a corner, with my earbuds. It was glorious. Later that night, Shiloh and I (as well as about 20-something other students) were a part of the Young Writers Honors Academy Graduation Recognition. (Photos included below of the second day and the YWHA recognition.)

The third day, Shiloh and I escaped to downtown Black Mountain for breakfast. Sadly the place we chose had no pancakes. But it was still good. Once again, another lovely writing sprint along with several sessions hosted by instructors. Then that night, we had a group photo and then there was the book fair! I was so excited to buy books and goodies which were being sold by instructors and even a ton of students.

(Note: on the bottom right corner of these photos, there’s one of a girl reading a book she’d bought at the book fair. (Don’t ask me why it’s got pink and red squared on the image, it won’t stop doing that.) Anyways: it was the Kingdom Disciple anthology one student who’d been featured in it had been selling, and this girl sat there for like thirty minutes just reading it. Let’s just say it made my author heart happy.)

On the fourth and final day, Brett Harris, the co-founder of the YWW, held a session about the gift and passion of writing. It was phenomenal to say the least. Then I participated in Jaquelle Ferris’ (other co-founder of the YWW) Q&A and I learned a ton about the outlining and publishing process for nonfiction in addition to the things I learned in my one-on-one mentorship session with her.

Later that night, the retreat had their annual cosplay competition. I’m not one for cosplay, but the costumes—oh my word, a lot of them were handmade and I don’t know how people are that creative?! So props to them.

The next day, we said goodbye—and I said hellooooo me time! I loved getting to meet everyone, but as an extroverted introvert…surrounded by 500 introverts, my social battery was dead by the end of the night.

Highlights from the week:

I loved getting to meet so many people who I’ve interacted with in the YWW program, so it was really awesome to finally see their faces and hear their voices.

It was so cool getting to learn from the instructors, especially Jaquelle Ferris and Brett Harris (wow a rhyme)—I am so grateful for the time they took out of their day to talk with me and answer my (many) questions.

Eating lunch with people like Johanna, my YWHA instructor Sarina, and Shiloh was a blast!

Walking home with five new books is perfect—now I have a whole stack beside my bed! Time to get reading…

It was amazing to finally meet and celebrate our graduation with my fellow YWHA students! We had a silly time afterwards, signing cards for our instructors who have helped improve our writing so much.

And most of all, getting to experience the blessings that the Lord has given me through the Young Writers Workshop: so many things to learn, people to connect and laugh with, and the chance to write for His glory.

Thanks for reading, and if you were at the retreat—what was your favorite part?!
~Willow