Testimonials

D.S. Rhodes

"My hour-long session with Valerie was incredibly valuable, not only in regards to the novella that I was working on, but as a crash-course in writing in general: pacing, characterization, pitfalls, dialogue, plot development, etc. She read my story with great care and critiqued it in a way to bring all these aspects into focus for me. She helped me take a work that was pretty good and make it great."

Jenny Root, Poet

“I have attended writers retreats at Tipi Village for five years now, and each year I fall more in love with the setting and the experience. Sometimes I write beside Mill Creek, sometimes on a picnic table off in the native forest. I always bring too much to work on and too much to read, but I love recreating my writing life out there, and I always get work done. Of course, I enjoy the visits with other writers too, over meals and around the fire at night. I don’t get nearly enough quiet time and space for writing IRL, and this is as lovely a writing retreat as I could possibly create for myself if I waved a magic wand. And I don’t have to cook! The food is delicious, healthy and plentiful. The accommodations are the perfect mix of rustic-cozy and tastefully appointed, and I’ve stayed in nearly every space they offer. We had no problem being safely socially distanced in 2020 while still enjoying our communal time with each other. I cherish returning every year.”

Erick Mertz

“Valerie has a nurturing way of working together with her clients to find answers, instead of dictating them. She’s especially good at what she does because she’s a good listener and puts energy into what her clients are saying, instead of putting people in boxes.”