Retreats — Blog

I'm not afraid to admit that my writing has been a bit unfocused of late. I traveled like mad this summer, which is why my blog went on a bit of an extended hiatus. I also submitted my latest book to publishers this spring, and I'm always a bit of a basketcase during the submission process (perhaps a post for another time). But now that I'm settled and eager to get back into my writing, I needed to jumpstart my process and find my focus again. Ironically, I found that the best way to focus was to run away again.

It's so easy for 'real life' to get in the way. Since I work from home, it's also easy to find supposedly-legitimate reasons to procrastinate - laundry, cleaning, cooking, watching "Bones" marathons. I also have trouble saying no to friends who want to get together, since they know I don't have anything else going on (as though the writing doesn't count, or can easily be put aside).

All of that is my problem, not anyone else's. But if you're struggling with similar issues, going away to write for a few days may do wonders, if it's within your budget. I found an extremely cheap vacation rental in Squaw Valley, Tahoe, which was perfect for my needs. Vacation rentals (found on sites such as vrbo.com and airbnb.com) can be perfect for a writer's retreat - you can look for places with kitchens or kitchenettes, desks or dining room tables, and other amenities that make your retreat feel more like a productive haven than a prison. My unit had a kitchen and dining room table so that I had plenty of space to work (and could cook my own meals), while the living/dining combo meant I didn't have to spend all my time in the same room where I was sleeping.

All in all, it was wonderful - I wrote ~40 pages, did a lot of revisions, and took care of other writing-related tasks. But if you can't afford to get away or have too many responsibilities at home, think about how you can create your own retreat where you are. Can you lock your bedroom or office door for a day and let your family fend for themselves? If you're single and have another writer friend in the area, can you swap places for a few days so that it feels like you're going on vacation to someplace new? Changing your scene just a bit can have long-term impact in terms of how motivated and energized you are about your project.

Have you gone on a writing retreat? Does it work for you? Or have you found other ways to keep yourself energized in your daily life? Please share in the comments - I'd love to hear what works and doesn't work for you!