The Writing Retreat
Time is money: spending it wisely at a writing retreat
More often than not, people nowadays have less and less time to themselves. When dealing with full time jobs, families, school, and more, it’s tough to find a calm and quiet time to sit down and write. It is often 5 o’clock or later in the evening, when many people are getting off work. Often, their brain is on overload and simply wants to shut off for the night after working all day. Days like this challenge those who try to make time for creative work. This is where the writing retreat comes in.
Given the opportunity to relax for a period ranging from just a day or two to a week or perhaps even a month at certain writing retreats, the attendee is given a gift that should not be taken lightly: the hours rewarded can then be spent writing.
Take “The Genuine Writer’s Retreat” in Annapolis, Maryland. On their Facebook page, they promise: “Time to Write! Write uninterrupted in peaceful, quiet solitude at a beautiful historic Inn in Annapolis, MD.” Being in a “luxurious and elegant 20-room inn” allows guests to both the time and the space to enjoy their retreat without interruption. Practice makes perfect: improvement in the writing retreat
From a novice to a well-seasoned author, writers often find themselves wanting to improve. Whether they want to improve their style, their editing, their outline, or even just their general knowledge, a writing retreat is a perfect place to start. When thinking of how to improve your craft, many people think of the saying “practice makes perfect.” Thankfully, there is truth in that statement. What’s nice about writing retreats is the ability to practice as much as needed. In practicing, the work can only improve.
Often times, too, writing retreats have workshops, visiting speakers, and even one-on-one conferences designed to improve writing. Take The Chautauqua Writers’ Festival . It offers all three opportunities. Every June, just before the opening of the summer season, Chautauqua Institution welcomes writers: “In addition to the the Festival’s tradition of intensive workshops and one-on-one conferences with award-winning contemporary authors, attendees can also experience panel conversations, and a keynote address.” Though online this past year due to the pandemic, this retreat focuses on building a writing community and hopes to be back face-to-face as soon as is possible..
Many retreats focus on craft and are geared toward helping writers improve. To that end, activities including workshopping stories, poems, and essays are priceless. Giving a writer time and opportunities with a group of like-minded is priceless.
1. The Writing Retreat and the opportunities it brings
While writing is the reason many attend retreats, networking is an added benefit. When you join in a writing retreat, you open yourself to people from all over the country—or even the globe—who have had different experiences. Their point of view can create endless opportunities, whether that be through inspiring the writing itself, or encouraging publication or helping with a job.
Imagine this: you meet someone who is working in publishing. They love your work so much that they want to keep in touch. Or you meet someone whose company is hiring and inspires you to apply. Or a colleague in workshop has a story that inspires your own. There are countless ways that writing retreats can create opportunities that grow from interaction with the other people attending.
Unsurprisingly, some writing retreats have a strong focus on creating opportunities through educational classes. Retreats like VSW’s Mexico Winter Retreats have “5 daily classes in writing and publishing” and “two one-on-one coaching sessions in writing and publishing.” When one attends a retreat like this, the writer is given the opportunity to learn more intensely about publishing, both in a class setting and more privately. Without the retreat, a writer may not know anything about the intricate nature of publishing and may be struggling to find any information online. At a retreat that includes publishing sessions an opportunity is created.
The Writing Retreat and the friendships that flourish
Much like creating professional networking opportunities, writing retreats can also help you find like-minded people. In ordinary life, you may not always be surrounded by people who are into the same things that you are. People have different hobbies, different schedules...different everything. But in the world of a writing retreat, everyone is there to do one thing—write.
What’s especially interesting about writing retreats is that there are kinds for all different types of people. Some focus on certain age groups, gender, genre, and some are even hobby-related. Take for example, a running and writing retreat for those who love to write and who also love to run.. The “Writers Who Run Retreat” is typically held in Georgia, and it hosts two mile runs in the mornings—and culminates with a costume party. Their website says, “Through networking, you'll be inspired to keep writing and running even when you're not hanging out with each other.” In other words, by attending, you may make friends who encourage you to be your best self, whether it be through running or continuing to write. With time to write, scheduled runs each day, and “a fun social event each evening”, it’s hard to imagine leaving without a friend.
As it stands, writing is solitary work. With no one else in your head or looking over your shoulder as the pen moves, it can be hard to connect regularly with other writers. But a retreat that surrounds you with like-minded people and provides situations that allow you to open to new friendships, the process of writing suddenly becomes less lonely.
All in all, while writing may be the main reason that someone attends a writing retreat, there are other important things that can arise. No matter if a person is looking for certain opportunities or friendships, writing retreats allow the attendees to find something worthy of their time and adds to their overall experiences.