The mission of Ego Break Writers Retreats is to facilitate unique, all-inclusive, transformational retreats that show rather than tell writers how to thrive. It is our vision to creatively expand the consciousness of writers.
Everything Is OK on an Ego Break!
October 21-25, 2025: Ego Break Writers Retreat on North Carolina’s Hatteras Island in the town of Buxton. This house has amazing views and sets directly on the Sound. Please keep in mind, the house has four levels and does not have an elevator. Guests will need to be able to climb numerous flights of stairs throughout each day of the retreat. Check in between 5:00pm and 9:00pm on October 21, 2025. Check out by 11:00am on October 25, 2025.
While the location of each Ego Break Retreat changes, the essence and promise remain the same. Ego Break is an experiential, all inclusive, writers retreat for journal writers, novice writers, professional writers, and everyone in-between, including those who don’t write yet but want to write. Rather than offering workshops that lecture on the mechanics of craft, Ego Break Retreats focus on story and character development. No matter your genre or where you are in your writing journey, the expanded and unique perspectives you’ll gain on this retreat will rejuvenate your writing and your life. Ego Break promises to be an experience you’ll write about! –Please scroll to the bottom of this page for room options.–
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Ego Break Writers Retreat
What Guests Say:
“I arrived 5 days ago with the hope of finding motivation to write, but after these simple yet so powerfully impactful days, I have been gifted the motivation to LIVE. TO LEAP. To TRUST IN MY INSPIRATION. I came here with a writing PROJECT but after these serene yet personally challenging days, I am leaving here with a writing PASSION. A PURPOSE. A DEEP KNOWING for my writing path to come. I began here with 7 strangers, but after these self-reflective yet intimately bonding days, I am ending with FRIENDS, FELLOWS, a writing TRIBE who I will feel beside me when those whispers of self-doubt interrupt me. I started the week as some girl writing a memoir, but after these information-packed yet deeply inspiring days, I am finishing as the HERO of my own story! Thank you Karrie & Jake (and guests).” –Molly N
Ego Break Experiences
Critique Sessions
Read up to 2000 words of a project you would like to receive on the spot critiques from the whole group. Be prepared to humbly receive and give constructive criticism. The critiques will be spread out over a few days to give everyone an hour for feedback.
Ego Break
In this two-part transformational workshop, we’ll explore the ego, ego constructs, ego programing and break down the Hero’s Journey story pattern on a personal level. Once you experience an ego break, your understanding of character development and the Hero’s Journey will deepen. This informational and experiential workshop includes a guided, group meditation.
The Hero’s Beat: A Novel Formula
In this engaging workshop, we’ll explore how to blend the Hero’s Journey and Blake Snyder’s Beat Sheet to create a powerful, page-by-page outline for your novel. You’ll learn how to structure your story to maintain pacing, develop compelling characters, and craft a narrative that resonates. By the end, you’ll have a clear framework to guide your novel from start to finish.
Murder Mystery Dinner Party
What better way to experience characterization than stepping into character? If you would like to participate in Ego Break’s Murder Mystery Dinner activity, you’ll receive your character’s information in advance of the retreat. On the night of the mystery dinner, each participating guest will play out their character’s role until the mystery has been solved. Prizes will be awarded for: best costume, best detective, and best acting.
Sound Bath Meditation
We will release tension and completely relax into the sound waves of crystal singing bowls, gongs, and other sound bath instruments.
1 Hour Private Reiki & BioMat Session (**Optional for an additional $100 fee.**)
Reiki works to clear disturbances in the body’s energy fields. The disturbances are experienced as different symptoms, such as conscious and unconscious beliefs that do not serve us. Your optional private Reiki session could help with imposter syndrome, fear of success, creativity, procrastination, or your session could be used to help with completing a goal. More about Reiki here. More about the BioMat here.
My Intent Craft
You’ll choose a word of inspiration and create a keychain, necklace, or bracelet for a focus reminder.
Writing Time / Free Time
There will be plenty of time to write! Get some words on the page. Maybe work out your plot line or begin a new project as you sit on the deck and enjoy the view. Or, if you seek more inspiration, explore the island.
What’s Included and What’s Not Included with the Registration Fee.
Your Investment in This Experience Includes: Room and board for 4 nights, all of the included meals will be prepared by our cook and served at the retreat house: four dinners, four breakfasts, three lunches, snacks, various wines, coffee, teas, water, soda, workshops, critique sessions, sound bath meditation, murder mystery dinner, linens, towels, washer/dryer, wifi, fellowship, motivation, and inspiration… We will do our best to accommodate food preferences, ie…vegan/vegetarian, however, depending on the circumstances (cross-contamination sensitivity), we might not be able to accommodate gluten free diets. If you are gluten free and are interested in attending Ego Break, please contact to discuss options. We will send a pre-retreat survey to learn your food preferences and other information to help make your retreat the best experience possible. ***There will be a Zoom session with Ego Break’s host and all retreat guests before the date of the retreat to introduce ourselves and ask/answer any last minute questions.
Ongoing Support: The fellowship and support continue after the retreat in our exclusive, active, Ego Break Facebook group. You’ll also stay motivated and accountable to continue writing by participating in our monthly Zoom critique sessions.
Not Included: Transportation to and from retreat house, Travel expenses, Travel Insurance, Personal Toiletries
How to get there: If you need to fly in, the nearest airports to Hatteras Island, North Carolina are Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN), New Bern, which is 86 miles away, and Norfolk International Airport (ORF), which is 122.1 miles away. Then you’ll need to rent a car and drive to the Island on N.C. Highway 12. The retreat house is located in Buxton, North Carolina, which is on Hatteras Island. After your reservation is paid for in full, you will receive the exact address.
What Guests Say:
“Overall, I can honestly say this retreat was one of the most personally fruitful ones I have ever attended. I truly enjoyed myself and realllllly wish it was days longer.” –Karen S
“Ego Break was the perfect retreat to reset my creative spirit and thus my writing.” –Becky K
“The Ego Break retreat takes a deep dive into finding your inner artist (authentic self) and applying that “freedom from Ego” to writing practices. I experienced a personal breakthrough following the retreat that will impact my writing and my life for years to come.” –Pennie N
Ego Break’s Host & Presenter
Rooming Options:
Cancellation Policy: 100% of all monies paid less a $75 processing fee are refunded for cancellations made within 60+ days before the retreat start date. 50% of all monies paid less a $75 processing fee are refunded for cancellations made 30-59 days before retreat start date. 0% will be refund for cancellations made within 0-29 days of retreat start date. However, 100% of all monies paid minus a $150 processing will be refunded in the event that Everything Is OK is able to rebook your canceled room before the retreat start date. For guests who’d like to share their private room with a friend, there will be an additional fee of $750 for the 2nd guest.
Suite 1
Private bedroom with a King size bed, private bathroom, and sliding door to deck. $1499 for 1st guest / +$750 for (optional) 2nd guest. Pay in full or 15% + $100 fee now and the balance by September 15, 2025.
Suite 2
Private bedroom with a King size bed, private bathroom, and sliding door to deck. $1499 for 1st guest / +$750 for (optional) 2nd guest. Pay in full or 15% + $100 fee now and the balance by September 15, 2025.
Suite 3
Private bedroom with a King size bed, private bathroom, and sliding door to deck. $1499 for 1st guest / +$750 for (optional) 2nd guest. Pay in full or 15% + $100 fee now and the balance by September 15, 2025.
Suite 4
Private bedroom with a King size bed, private bathroom, and sliding door to deck. $1499 for 1st guest / +$750 for (optional) 2nd guest. Pay in full or 15% + $100 fee now and the balance by September 15, 2025.
Suite 5
Private bedroom with a King size bed, private bathroom, and sliding door to deck. $1499 for 1st guest / +$750 for (optional) 2nd guest. Pay in full or 15% + $100 fee now and the balance by September 15, 2025.
What Guests Say:
“Karrie put on a first-class event and did everything possible to make things run smoothly. She surveyed the group ahead of time about our preferences, held a Zoom meeting for us to get acquainted, and now has a private social media site so we can share photos and communicate with one another. During the retreat, Karrie created a congenial environment. I felt an immediate connection to the other attendees who came from different walks in life and all over the country. There was a great balance among educational workshops and relaxing, fun activities. I highly recommend this retreat for writers. Karrie, Anna, and Chef Jake exceeded my expectations in how well cared for I felt and how much I learned. Wanted another week and hated to leave.” –Marilyn B
Everything Is OK on an Ego Break!