By Bonnie Tawse, Writer in Residence, June 2026: I came to my residency at Sourwood Forest with the goal of working on a book proposal, something that was new to me. I was drawn to the location because I had never been to Virginia before, so it scratched that itch for geographic curiosity and it was in a relatively “remote” spot in the mountains. A few years ago I did a writing retreat in Mendocino, CA and while it was absolutely gorgeous, it was also just too easy for me to hop in my car and go off on various adventures and I got almost no writing done. At Sourwood, I really felt compelled to stay on site as it’s 45+ minutes anywhere. I managed to sneak in a hike on the AT, a spontaneous visit to a friend, and a trip to the Lynchburg Farmers Market. But I mostly stayed put and that led to a productive residency. There were so many aspects of Sourwood Forest that I appreciated during my stay. I was grateful for the Sourwood Forest loop trail, a path that starts at the edge of the back pasture. It allowed me to get up every morning and walk in the woods, move my body and wake up my brain before I came back inside to sit down and write. That morning forest time meant I was able to enjoy the smell of the pines, the bird calls, the elegant bend of the Sourwood trees and the calming trickle of the water in the creek. It was such an accessible and inspiring space to get me ready for the day. I also enjoyed having evening walks on the gravel road. That was a time to just decompress and enjoy the light coming through the trees. Once inside Judy’s home, I had access to a kitchen and fridge teeming with healthy ingredients, and as such, enjoying a cup of tea and a simple breakfast of eggs or toast and breaking for a salad for lunch were easy to make happen. And there was ice cream. Always yes to a bowl of ice cream on a hot summer’s eve. The house has so many spots to “set up shop” and work, and this was great for switching up the view, the light and positioning. I mostly utilized the big round table in the back porch room overlooking the… Continue reading
