Time to Retreat? by Wendy H. Jones
As I write this, I am in the USA in the middle of a book and speaking tour. It's full on busy and I am enjoying every exhilarating minute of it. However, despite the fact I think I am like the energiser bunny and can run forever without recharging my batteries, this is not the case. Recognising this, yesterday morning I took myself down to a lake, sat on a boat, took in the ambience and did some writing. There is something extremely soothing about looking out at the water and letting your mind wander.
This got me thinking about retreats - writing retreats in particular. There are numerous organised writing retreats that any writer can sign up for. Some of these are secular and some Christian. One popular one in Scotland is Moniack Mhor where you can learn from some extremely famous writers. A Christian retreat many of us are familiar with is, of course, Scargill House in Yorkshire, who run an ACW Weekend each year. These are excellent and a great way to spend time with like minded writers and to learn from and support each other.
The other type of writing retreat is where you take yourself away for a few days, or even weeks, and spend time alone whilst concentrating on writing. As I found on my couple of hours by the lake, the solitude can clear the mind, recharge the batteries and fill the creative well. When there is only you and your thoughts it frees the mind up to concentrate on writing. Whilst it certainly helped me that the sun was shining and the birds were singing, this is certainly not a required part of the process. It can work equally well in any weather. The important thing is to get away from it all and recharge the creative batteries.
As Christian writers this can also be a way to spend time alone with God. During my mini two hour retreat by the lake, I started my time with prayer. It is a reminder that in the midst of all the chaos, Jesus took himself off to a quiet place to pray and spend time with God. Whilst Lake Greenwood isn't exactly the Sea of Galilee, it certainly served as a reminder.
Perhaps it's tine to plan a retreat and give your creative energy that much needed boost.
I'm interested, have you ever done a writing retreat, either organised or solitary? Where did you do this and how did it help you? Please share in the comments and help others who may be considering going down the retreat path.
About the Author
Wendy H Jones is the Amazon Number 1 best-selling author of the award winning DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries. Her Young Adult Mystery, The Dagger’s Curse was a finalist in the Woman Alive Readers Choice Award. She is also The President of the Scottish Association of Writers, the Webmaster for the Association of Christian Writers, an international public speaker, and runs conferences and workshops on writing, motivation and marketing. Wendy is the founder of Crime at the Castle, Scotland’s newest Crime Festival. She is the editor of a Lent Book, published by the Association of Christian Writers and also the editor of the forthcoming Christmas Anthology form the same publisher. Her first children's book, Bertie the Buffalo, was released in December 2018. Motivation Matters: Revolutionise Your Writing One Creative Step at a Time, was released in May 2019.
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I've been on several Arvon writing retreats in the past. They are prohibitively expensive (I only managed to go because I was on benefits then and Arvon give discounts). But there are reasons for that - they hire two well-known writers and they are live-in, so you're spending a few days with them and gaining from their wisdom and experience. I'll go on another one when I win the Lottery ;)
ReplyDeleteArvon is certainly expensive. Moniack Mhor used to be Arvon but they sold it.
DeleteGlad you have found time to relax. I confess though, that a writing retreat wouldn't be very relaxing to me - more than more hard work. But would be useful to improve my writing. So probably a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you might find it less than relaxing. I tend to write in the morning, do something pleasurable in the afternoon, do some more writing and then relax after dinner. That might be a model which you find more appealing.
DeleteI love the idea of retreating, alone, to write. Perhaps one day!! Love the new look and hoping it will let me comment!
ReplyDeleteAnd, your comment is good to go. If you fancy a wee writing retreat in Scotland you are always welcome
DeleteThis week has turned into an unexpected writing retreat. Months ago I promised to house-sit and look after the cat for the friend of a friend, for two weeks. After the bank holiday weekend the weather turned appalling and I was so glad I had packed the laptop! Beyond internet and TV - & the cat - there are no distractions.
ReplyDeleteSounds idyllic. Although in my experience Cat's like to help you edit. Good luck with the writing
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ReplyDeleteWhen I activated 'Block third party cookies' my comment disappeared. Now I have deblocked them again.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it’s working beautifully. I appreciate your input
DeleteI loved my retreat near Huddersfield in May. As well as learning a lot, I now belong to this writing community, have received work from it and inspiration, which is the key component. It was my first but certainly won't be my last!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was worthwhile for you. Glad you managed to keep up with everyone
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