Retreats and Mentoring in Writing Part 2 of 15
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I was thinking about writing retreats and classes. I’ll share some of my own experiences with you. I love writing, and have a lot of fun with it. I think the greatest thing for me is to write for a part of the day. Of course I have other commitments so often I don’t get the time I’d like to write. That is life though.
That is why, in my experience, that a writing retreat is so important. Someone asked well doesn’t that mean a vacation? No not really it means I immerse my self in my writing, totally, honestly and for extended periods. I’m able to communicate to people who want to write with as much passion as I do and with so much joy as I have.
I love the thrill of writing. I’ve been to classes and other form of writing groups but the one thing I’ve not had the experience to do (yet) is a writing retreat. Somewhere in the mountains in clear fresh air, where I can write, and then speak to people whose perspective on writing is different than mine, as in they have more publishing credits than I do.
I suspect that being away from it all will help my focus and possibly help me create the fiction I’ve wanted to. No breaks or interruptions. Hm, sounds great… I wonder where I could do that?
I’ve come up with an answer to that, There are really only three place where you can retreat: Your own private place at home, a hotel in the city and a actual writing retreat or conference. The first two are a bit harder to get the best value, as everyone knows how to contact you. The second is less so but you’re still in the same place you were. The last is probably the most beneficially if you want to jump start your writing.
My question for today is this: if you had to pick one of the above three places where would it be?
6 Comments
B.J. Anderson
I kind of like the idea of going to a hotel! I could sit in a nice, fluffy bed with my alpha smart and all my papers around me and write away. I don't get much writing done during conferences, but I do get a lot of inspiration.
Rob
Home used to be a place where I could get a lot of writing done but now not so much. There are just too many distractions.
I'd have to pick the second one. I've always wanted to go to a hotel for one, maybe two, weeks and see if I can crank out a novella on my laptop. Or possibly a novel. Just something, so long as I know I had written it in a hotel room.
Cindy
I think a hotel would be great! I might get distracted with the pool 🙂 but at least I could sit near and do some writing. At home, I can be productive if the kids aren't around but sometimes it's nice to have a change of scenery–a different kind of inspiration.
Kerrie
Last November I organized a writing retreat in the mountains for my writers organization, Northern Colorado Writers. There were 13 of us that went and we all stayed in one building.
Everyone had their own room and there was a kitchen with coffee and hot water always on, along with a big gathering room.
We had times where we would gather, but the rest of the time was writing. Everyone left each other alone and the results were amazing. People were able to get a ton of writing done and the energy in the place was incredible: we were in a beautiful spot in the mountains by a river and we were surrounded by creative vibes.
I highly recommend trying a writing retreat some time.
BeckyJoie at Leaders in Learning
I'd choose a hotel if I could afford it, but it would need to be one near a beach. I have a quirk about writing while looking at the water. LOL. All kidding aside, I have to make my own retreat at home when I can't go where I desire to be sequestered. If you love writing then location won't stop you. :>) Just mho.
AmberInGlass
Personally, I think I'd prefer a retreat. What Kerrie described sounds absolutely amazing, and I have to give her alot of Kudos for organizing such an event.
At home, there's always a distraction. Dishes in the sink, I haven't done, vacuuming, even some unpacking and reorganizing I have yet to get to from my move to this place two months ago. At home is where I do all my writing, but the distractions always plague the back of my mind and I have to wonder if my writing suffers because of them. Certainly the actual time I spend writing suffers.
BeckyJoe brings up a very good point. We should be able to write anywhere, but sometimes for me, it's just not that easy.