Sabino Springs Writers’ Retreat, Tucson, Arizona—Jan. 2011

“I came to Tucson looking for my heart, and have found that it has been inside me all along. This has been a transformative week for me and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my guide. Your grace and humour made writing easier than I thought it would be. I will treasure the memories of this amazing experience, enriched by new friendships. I couldn’t imagine a better backdrop—Tucson is beautiful. I marvel at the way, on so many levels, that we all connected with one another. I have met some kindred spirits.” — Julie

“I wanted you to know that [since returning] I’m in the zone and am writing my mom and dad’s story. You made me feel it was possible. The workshop really motivated me, so thank you for suggesting it for me in the first place. It was the right time for me, and was perfect. The women were wonderful, and the mix you worked up was just right. It provided lots of chances to bond and socialize, and to write (of course!), but also to sightsee a little. I had such a wonderful time.” — Sylvia

“I want you to know how much I appreciated the workshop. You and Gail [Rudyk] did such a wonderful, incredible job in organizing it all. Everything was absolutely perfect. You brought so many new ideas that I could write for a year on the notes you shared. I am especially glad that you reminded me to ‘ask lots of questions’ when I had time with my siblings. It was so interesting to hear their responses and compare the perspectives. It was really a wonderfully insightful eye-opener. Thank you for such a wonderful week (plus the continued inspiration). — Ann

“Thank you so much for giving me the chance to be part of the Sabino Springs retreat. It was a wonderful blend and balance of learning, writing, self-exploring and having fun. All your organizing effort paid off. I feel energized now to resume my project and take it across the “finish line,” whatever that finish line looks like. I miss everyone—you put together a super group of women.” — Barbara

“As a participant in Sabino Springs Writers’ Retreat I benefitted from Allyson’s sensitive approach to bringing my memories to the written page. From simple, fun exercises and timed freewriting sessions to the challenging task of exploring memories that are often difficult to write, Allyson nudged me out of the shadows and into the light. Allyson’s style is encouraging and uncritical. She keeps up a pace that is manageable and gratifying. By the end of the week, I’d accumulated over 25 stories to add to my memoir. She shared her sense of humour, her thoughtful lessons and generous praise to the entire group, contributing to our bond and a love of writing memoir.”– Mary

“I loved every minute of my stay in Arizona; the whole adventure was so interesting, warm, enriching, friendly. You have no idea what this meant to me at this time in my life. This was such an exceptional group of women, every one of them so deep, sensitive and respectful. You did a great job in putting together and leading this group. It was wonderful. About the writing I wasn’t able to realize while I was in Arizona the impact of the work that we were doing. I have been writing regularly since I came back. I get discouraged at times but I continue…. It was a true privilege for me to be part of this adventure.” — Monique

Los Parronales Writers’ Retreat, Santiago, Chile—Feb. 2010

“The two-week workshop was everything I had hoped for. The instruction was invaluable and the critique was consistent. Although it became apparent to me that I would have to rewrite my entire obre, at least I now had a sense of how to do so. Thank you for making my experience in Chile so meaningful and worthwhile.” — Katrine

“It was just absolutely wonderful and I thank you for all the magic and direction you provided. It was a definite highlight in my life, and I say this seriously. — Ann

“You brought so much of yourself to this beautiful workshop. Thank you for opening up to us and for encouraging us to open up and look at ourselves ‘sideways.’ I leave feeling so inspired. I loved it.” — Jennifer

“I’m excited to get on with [my memoir], guided by your suggestions! I so much enjoyed the workshop and all the company and conversations. You really knew how to draw out our creative selves. Thank you!” — Suzanne

Workshops and Classes

“I have truly enjoyed every minute of your classes. You have given me so much to think about and explore. I don’t feel as scattered now and have a much better understanding of what memoir really is. Once I start writing, the time just flies by and I get lost in it. I was looking for a way to relax and I think I’ve found it. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise and your love of writing.”

“Allyson fed us—body, mind and soul.”

“I have long thought about writing my memoirs, and in this class Allyson plucked a string that set memory vibrations in motion. She generated a warm and welcoming atmosphere, inviting ‘soul,’ making each feel at home, safe to explore new, inner depths safely, securely.”

“I would like to thank you for the amazing job you have done. You have inspired me (and many others) to visit places in our memories which have lain dormant for years, and given us the tools to explore and share these experiences and feelings…. I think of our diverse, wonderful, supportive group and feel I have learned a lot from each person.”

“I had no idea how much I would miss [the group] until the memoir course was finished. It was a wonderful, memorable experience for me.”

“I thank you again and again for letting me into the precious Canadian senior writers. I was fortunate to get to know all of them and I believe that they are the best writers anyone could meet online. I have, indeed, learned a lot from your and their comments.”

“We have grown, by sharing honest writing and thoughts, into an intimate online community. Your comments are gentle, but helpful.”

“Thanks again, Allyson, for being the inspiration for our club (WALRUS: Writers of Allyson Latta R Us), which seems to be serving as a good motivational tool to get everyone writing!”

“Allyson is like a shiny new penny.”

“I’ve learned, because of you, that I really do have a lot of things to write about.”

“Allyson’s workshop on memoir writing gives you not only what you need to begin, but what you need to carry on with such a tremendous undertaking as a memoir.
She is warm and informative and her class exercises are fun and stimulating. Allyson’s workshop is entertaining and unintimidating and completely necessary in your writing journey.” — Stephanie Dickison, journalist and author of The 30-Second Commute: A Non-Fiction Comedy About Writing & Working From Home.