Artists have pondered on the source of creativity for generations. Ben Franklin used to sit in front of his window fully nude at dawn for that purpose. He found this cold air bath “agreeable to his constitution.” Basically, it helped him feel align in mind and body while trying to create. These personal practices could still work, but now painters, cinematographers, and writers have other options for beckoning the muse.
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Those seeking inspiration can apply for an artist residency or attend a retreat like the one being held by author and freelance journalist Josiah Hesse in February. The retreat beckons fellow writers to share their ideas, cultivate stories, and enjoy some Colorado-grown ganja in a delightfully spooky setting.
Hesse recently shared more about the cannabis-infused Haunted Writing Retreat held February 20th to 23rd with GreenState. The event promises ghost tours, a weed lounge, and a community-driven pool of creativity,
“The Haunted Writing Retreats have always been about creating an atmosphere and experience for the attendees to get in the right headspace for creative writing, and cannabis is a big part of that,” Hesse said.
Perfect scary stories alongside like minds
The retreat brings 420-friendly horror writers to the gothic, historic, and potentially haunted Patterson Inn in Denver, Colo. The Patterson is not only a National Landmark—it’s also home to the first cannabis lounge license in the state. Though the space traded the opening date for state-mandated remodeling, Hesse has been assured the signature smoking space will be open by the retreat.
Cannabis will be baked into the weekend, right down to consuming together during scheduled activities. Guests are encouraged to follow their bliss, whether that be taking CBD and writing in their room, sharing a joint and ideas in the lounge, or vaping on a long walk, envisioning a righteous plot. Those unfamiliar with the plant will have access to guidance on navigating dispensary products, dosing, and using cannabis creatively.
“I’ve been a writer for more than twenty years and have always found cannabis to be a wonderful stimulant for creativity,” Hesse shared. “The high of a good sativa can create a sense of playfulness that lends itself to conjuring wild ideas and the enthusiasm to see them to fruition.”
The author finds that this goes double when ideating around the dread-filled genre.
“When it comes to writing horror, cannabis has always had the power to lull me into the darkest realms of my mind, giving me access to the themes, imagery, and scenarios that would frighten me the most, and the empathy to know how to bring the reader along with me on that journey,” Hesse said.
He is not alone in this. After years of hosting the cannabis writing event Lit on Lit with friends, he found that many people who liked to write high also enjoyed scary stories. This realization led to these haunted retreats, where people can gather together with weed in a potentially ghastly setting.
What to expect at this Haunted Writers Retreat
The event features Stephen King lectures, horror film screenings, writing classes, and ghost tours of the inn and surrounding area. Events held in the lounge can be enjoyed alongside preferred pot products, which often inspire social connections. Many guests bring ghost-hunting tools like an electromagnetic field reader (EMF) to search for otherworldly entities, which adds to the conviviality of the retreat.
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“Everything we offer is in service of illuminating that scary movie inside their heads and then getting out of the way and letting them chase that muse far enough to generate a story,” Hesse said. “We aim to frighten our guests just enough to get those dark, creative juices flowing.”
Making new friends, trying new weed products, and visiting spectral destinations are fun–but this event is about writing above all else.
“Ideally, guests will leave the Haunted Writer’s Retreat with—at the very least—some writing,” he concluded.
