Once upon a time, a group of women with big dreams dared to step away from the noise of everyday life to reclaim their voices, their stories, and their creative power. They gathered in inspiring places, shared their dreams, and found strength in one another. They discovered that creativity flourishes in community, and that when women lift each other up, magic happens.
At Once Upon a Script, we create creative experiences for women storytellers who are ready to step away from the everyday and into a space of deep inspiration, connection, and growth. Our mission is to empower women storytellers through mentorship, community, and travel around the world.
Each retreat is thoughtfully designed to ignite bold ideas, awaken your creative voice, and move your stories forward. With expert guidance, practical tools, and a powerful sisterhood by your side, you’ll return to the page with renewed clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Creativity thrives in stillness, yet daily life is filled with distractions that pull you away from your craft. Stepping into a dedicated space, away from routine and demands, allows your ideas to flow freely, your vision to sharpen, and your voice to grow stronger.
Picture yourself in a beautiful, inspiring place where every moment sparks new ideas and deepens your connection to your story. Traveling opens your mind, shifts your perspective, and fuels your creativity in ways you never expected. In a retreat designed for storytellers, you’re giving yourself permission to dream, explore, and create without limits.
Our Retreats
Whether you’re seeking reconnection with your creative purpose, deep craft development, or an immersive writing experience with focused time to create, each retreat is designed to inspire, support, and cultivate mentorship and sisterhood.
🎯 Mentor-Led Retreat
These retreats are led by guest industry women who are actively working as writers, producers, directors, and creatives. They bring real-world insight, lived experience, and generous guidance, creating a supportive space for women storytellers across disciplines.
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✨ Creative Reset — restore clarity, confidence, and creative trust
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✍️ Focused Writing — structured writing time with accountability
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🎬 Theme-Based — deep dives into specific formats, genres, or industry goals
🌍 Write-Cations
When place becomes the muse, and you step into the story.
Write-Cations are immersive creative escapes where inspiration comes from fully living the experience. You’ll write in beautiful settings, wander without rushing, share long meals, and connect deeply with other women storytellers.
Whether you’re developing a script, exploring a new idea, or simply listening for what wants to emerge next, the rhythm is spacious and intuitive. The experience itself becomes part of the work. This write-cation is a peer-led experience centered on sisterhood, accountability, and uninterrupted creative time. Women writing together.
Industry Mentors
Empowered Women Empower Women
Isabel Drean
Screenwriter. Author. Director. Vertical Expert. Founder of THE HUB.
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Sara Elizabeth Timmins
Producer. Educator at No Film School. No Trust Fun. No Problem
Dawn Dekeyser
Screenwriter. Producer. Script Consultant. Pitch Coach.
Kay Ross
Screenwriter. Director. Host of Biscuits with Bosses Podcast
Amy Ferris
Author. Screenwriter. Editor. Playwright.
Sabrina Parra
Script Consultant. Former VP of Development at Di Novi Pictures
Founder
Mariannjely Marval
I’m a produced Latina screenwriter fueled by story, soul, and an insatiable love for the world. Travel sparks my creativity, turning each new place into inspiration for deeper, more resonant narratives. I write to honor the immigrant experience, amplify women’s voices, and explore the quiet strength of resilience. For me, storytelling is both refuge and resistance, a way to connect, heal, and leave a meaningful mark. I’m here to build community and create bold, beautiful work together. ✨
