A new writer's retreat, being offered this month, aims to help budding writer's finally finish that best-selling novel without the usual distractions of crying children, bills and household chores.Writing coach, Jan Fraser, will be offering the weekend writer's retreat at Cambridge Beaches Hotel and Spa. The retreat will include personal attention, group work, advice, writing exercises and most importantly peace and quiet.“I have written three books,” said Ms Fraser. “The first one took me five years, the second one five months, and the third one only five days. Now I want to share how I did it with other budding writers.”Her books include ‘Ordinary Women Extraordinary Success', ‘You're Never Too Old to Dream, Dare, Dance' and ‘Keeping Customers for Life'. She also organised the ‘Dream, Dare, Dance' organisation in Bermuda to help women realise their dreams.“My first book was published through Career Press,” she said. “I was able to publish it because I said to the publisher ‘I heard that you were the 36th publisher to turn down ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul'. (This was an inspirational series of books by Jack Canfield that went on to be one of the most successful in history.) You probably don't want to give this book up. This will be women supporting women. He said, ‘okay, I will take it'. I believe in doing research and checking things out.”Her other books, however, were self-published, a route she now prefers.“I will probably self-publish every future book of mine first, and when it becomes a best-seller than I can traditionally publish,” she said. “You have more leverage with the publisher that way. My last three I have self-published. You really need to have a marketing campaign if you want to be financially successful with a book. I use one of my books during training, so I don't necessarily care that it's not on Amazon. Something else authors really need is a voice. When they have a voice, then they can promote their book. It is hard when you can't speak about your book.”Last month she conducted a five day writer's retreat in Las Vegas, Nevada, where 75 percent of the participants completed their book and the others were well on their way to finishing. Now, she is excited about holding a similar event in Bermuda. Five people, including a lady from overseas, are already signed up for the retreat.“I'm really excited about holding a retreat right here in Bermuda for those who have dreamed of writing their book but find it difficult to pull it out of their head and put it down on paper,” she said. “I provide the motivation, techniques and methods that help authors bring their dream into a reality.”She can't promise that the writer on the retreat will finish their book over a weekend, but she does promise to provide the tools necessary to complete it more easily and swiftly.“I am working on a book myself right now so as the people on the retreat are writing, I am writing,” said Ms Fraser. “It is about relationships. My book will be called ‘Who is in Your Life, Soul Mate, Roommate, Cell Mate, No Mate'. During the retreat, we talk about different methods of writing. They (the writers) have assignments. They have private consultations with me. This is two-and-a-half days but we will have before and after meetings.“This is about really sequestering yourself. That is why I chose Cambridge Beaches. It's very important to come to an isolated but beautiful and luxurious location such as Cambridge Beaches.“Writers will leave everyday worries and distractions behind and focus completely on the goal of writing a book. Participants will find it uplifting to be there. The weekend will be a mix of sessions with me and quiet times when writers will go to their room, the beach or any of the other wonderful, private nooks and crannies around Cambridge Beaches to put pen to paper. Of course, in these times it's more likely that they'll be working the keyboard.”Before the weekend Ms Fraser provides a one-on-one personal call to each participant to help them prepare their materials as well as their mind for the weekend. There is also an optional Saturday morning follow-up session in March to assess progress, and discuss publishing and marketing techniques.The fee to join the writer's retreat, which includes the follow up session, is $785. Other special benefits offered to participants are complimentary Internet access, 15 percent discount on Ocean Spa Treatments and an upgrade to a deluxe room. All rooms will have water views.“When I start something I really put my whole self into it,” she said. “Your book is like my book and I want you to be successful. I am going to be doing other writer's retreats in the United States at various places.”For more information or to book your place at the writer's retreat e-mail jan[AT]janfraser.com, telephone 517-7924. The event will be held at Cambridge Beaches Hotel & Spa beginning the evening of February 17 and will end 4pm on February 19.