Any aspiring writers out there who could use a block of time and a comfy, cosy space to concentrate?

You might consider throwing your hat into the ring, or feel free to insert another metaphor here (writers, help me out - toss your pen in a bookbag?). However you choose to phrase it, essayists, poets, novelists, memoirists and playwrights will soon have a chance to apply for a new writers’ residency in Oturehua.

This is the realisation of a dream for a Dunedin lawyer who attended the week-long Under Rough Ridge Writers’ Retreat in 2020. Just a couple of weeks ago I wrote about this year’s gathering, where lawyer/memoirist Jenny Beck and retreat organisers announced the residency at her house-warming/house-blessing.

Beck explained how inspired she was by the environment in and around Oturehua.

“Something about looking out over the valley at the mountains beyond and waking up to this vast expanse...somehow or other being there opened the word gates for me and words came flowing.”

I know the feeling. That’s why I keep going back. Soon after the retreat ended, Beck decided to act, and invested in a local property. Then, after her daughter-in-law did a little decorating, she approached neighbours Mike and Rosemary Riddell with her idea to share her special space.

She admitted she was a little nervous. She wasn’t sure if her idea was going to sound far-fetched.

But Mike and Rosemary had been thinking along the same lines since they’d arrived in the village.

“The interesting thing is that before I came down to Oterehua, about four years ago, when I was negotiating with Jillian [Sullivan] about staying at her place over summer, I said to her ‘it would be a great place for a residency’. So Jillian and I have talked about that on and off...and when Jenny approached us, we couldn’t believe how fortuitous it was.“

Mike added that when he and the other retreat tutors set up the Under Rough Ridge legal trust, one of the aims was eventually to set up a residency. When Jenny joined the community, she was added to the trust. Then, as if by magic, came her offer to open her home to other writers. 

The residency may take place in three months leading up to the annual writers’ retreat. Those retreats have been held at the end of September for the past three years. The parameters still need to be worked out. For example, would two six-week residencies work? Or one three-month stay? And what would be the ideal project? But the way forward is crystal clear, as it was when the idea first came to Beck.

Beck revealed her “aha moment” struck at a presentation we both attended at the 2020 retreat, when author Kate De Goldi spoke about writing and her experience as artist-in-residence at the Henderson House in Alexandra. Beck said, “I was so inspired by her presentation and her appreciation of the Henderson House Residency...that’s what made me think ‘ah wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were a residency in the Ida Valley?’”.

Henderson House Trust Chair, Grahame Sydney, who also spoke to the gathering of writers at the 2020 retreat, said he was surprised and delighted when he learned what those talks had sparked.

"I am a believer in the great value of Residencies for creative souls, whether they be writers, artists, musicians, whatever. The gift of time, opportunity and a stable, stimulating place to work is invariably energising and productive for such workers, and the more such generous situations are offered throughout Central Otago the richer the community will be.”

And that’s the idea: enrichment.

As Beck put it, “Wouldn’t it be great if people could be brought here for a limited period and are able to share their talents, working with the people in the valley and at the same time be enriched themselves?”.

Beck has now become conditioned to write as soon as she drives into her home-away-from-home. It’s something about seeing the open paddocks, blue skies and often snow-capped Hawkduns. She’s been able to complete more of her memoir than was ever possible with her busy life in Dunedin. 

She also mentioned how very special the community in Oturehua is, and how they immediately made her feel welcome. Paying it forward, the idea is to welcome, nourish and inspire aspiring writers who, she added, “hopefully will produce something that is related to the Ida Valley in some way. Either inspired by the landscape or speaking to the landscape.”

So get your pen ready, or typing fingers primed. 

Here’s the link to the writers’ retreat...watch their website and this space for details about when to apply.