Hosting my first writing retreat was phenomenal! But I came away with lessons that any writer can learn, whether or not they attended.
At Audience Granted Ghostwriters, I help writers and professionals make space for their stories — whether through retreats, one-on-one coaching, or ghostwriting partnerships.
It was a perfect September afternoon. A little hot, but not bad for Texas. The sky was brilliant cerulean, the soft breeze was cool, and butterflies danced through copses of mesquite and over the grassy field.
The promise of that first afternoon of the writers’ retreat delivered. In spades.
For the fourteen writers who gathered, it was a deep breath of fresh air from the gasps and panting of everyday life—space just to think and write. And those who attended the optional speaker sessions came away with valuable insights.
Takeaways for You
“How nice for you,” you’re telling yourself. You’d love a weekend off to focus on writing, but when will you get the chance?
I get it. That’s why I’m sharing some tips you can implement regardless of whether you can get away for a writers’ retreat.
The Power of Space and Time
In my follow-up survey after the retreat, one thing people were unanimous on: they loved the dedicated writing time with no family obligations, meal preparation, laundry, chores, soccer games, or other commitments.
Writing itself is rarely my problem—if I have fifteen minutes, I can easily kick something out as long as I know where I’m going with it. But plotting out a narrative arc, developing characters, or organizing topics? That requires a significant block of time.
That’s why, if you want to see genuine progress on your writing, I suggest blocking out an hour or two on your calendar regularly, whether it’s once a week or once a month.
As a ghostwriter, I write for clients and my business all the time. But for my personal writing, I block out Wednesday afternoons from 2:30 to 4:30. And I head to the nearby Barnes & Noble, where the shelves of books and scents of coffee and baked goods put me in the mood for focused writing time.
Another time that works well for me is the hour after my husband starts getting ready for bed. He’s not focused on me or the house, he’s already put the dog in his crate for the night, and I don’t go to bed as early as either of them. The stillness is an ideal time to curl up in my armchair and write.
How Can You Adapt This Idea for You?
Your schedule and household doubtless look different from mine. Still, almost everyone can find some dedicated time if they look hard enough for it:
- Use the hour before the kids get up on one of the weekend days.
- Instead of working through lunch every day, block off the hour-long lunch you’re entitled to once a week for writing.
- Find a table near a playground where your kids can play while you write—or if you don’t have children, in a quiet area of a park.
- Use your public library. There are often plenty of tables or desks for quiet work, and if you have children, you can write while they watch a film or enjoy a story hour.
What other ways can you find? Get creative! Small packets of time add up; what matters is protecting them.
Remember: Time and Space
For many, where you write matters as much as when. That’s why you’ll notice I also mentioned possible places on the list above. So find a place that speaks to you—your apartment’s balcony, a lounge chair by the pool, a comfy corner of the sofa, a bench on a nearby walking trail, the local library.
Energy of Other Writers
Another big takeaway people mentioned: the opportunity to chat with other writers – some ahead of them in the writing journey, some behind. That’s one reason I created the retreat. The energy and productivity I’ve had to write for weeks following other retreats I’ve attended were amazing!
Because writing can be such an isolating activity. You probably don’t know many people in your workplace, family, place of worship, or community who are writing, and even if you do, you probably don’t talk to them often about it. Do you feel like anyone around you understands the struggle or the high?
Still, it’s not only inspiration you get from being around other writers; you also learn from them. You’ll meet some published authors whose success and mistakes you can learn from. Others have delved deep into topics you may know little about, from the best cover for a business book to character development in fiction.
How Can You Do This in Your Life?
There are several ways.
- Writers Groups. Many people find this helpful, and you can find in-person, online, and mixed groups. They vary; some groups focus on writing time, others focus on topical discussions. Some groups accept all levels and genres; others are specific to writing level or genre.
- Book Signings. Often, local libraries, bookshops, and other venues host events highlighting local authors. Attend a few, and you’ll find that meeting people who’ve made it through the publishing process inspires you. Plus, you might learn something!
- Classes/Webinars. Bookstores, libraries, and other local groups may host these. Online, organizations or programs for writers, such as ProWritingAid, may offer courses. Typically, you’re not just learning; you’re meeting other writers as well.
- Writing Parties. Check with your community and family to find others interested in writing. Then, host a writing party! Everyone brings their favorite snack, writing tools, and maybe a blanket. If you want, schedule a 30-minute welcome period for people to arrive and set goals before you spread out to write for an hour or ninety minutes. Next, regroup to discuss how it went.
However you do it, studies show that doing something with other people keeps you engaged longer. So, find a community of other writers.
Speaker Sessions
Both retreat speakers garnered lots of interest. While each session included time for questions, both speakers went over their time limits to accommodate them—and they still didn’t get to all the questions! What were these juicy topics?
“Writing the Darkness”
Novelist Angela Hughes spoke to a fear that many writers have: if I write about something I believe is evil, does that make me bad?
Short answer: no, depending on how/why you write it.
While some people want nothing more than a cozy story from their book reading experience, most readers want to read about something relatable, whether they’re reading a sci-fi adventure or a historical romance. Life is full of struggles. People all over the world deal with brokenness, pain, and fear. If you avoid including darkness, it forces you into a Hallmark-type genre.
Which is fine if you’re going for that. But if you want to inspire hope in the midst of pain, empowerment in fear, or relief from oppression, you need to know how to make bad look bad and good look good. Flawed heroes? Antiheroes? Black magic, gore, psychopathic killers? Go for it.
Write raw. Uncensored. Then revise for balance.
As long as you’re not trying to make evil appealing (as opposed to understandable) or immoral behavior excusable (as opposed to relatable), you’re writing from your moral center.
Self-Publishing Essentials
Owner of Stellar Writing Communications Houston, Ella Ritchie’s talk was packed with insights for authors who want to self-publish. Helpful tips included insights on things like:
- Delete everything after and including the letters “ref” in links to your book’s Amazon or website page
- Which stages to proofread your book in
- The importance of a quality cover design
We all scribbled lots of notes. Still, the biggest takeaway? Just because you’re self-publishing doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. You can find many skilled professionals to collaborate with; plus, there are lots of resources for cost-effective choices.
Make Your Own “Stay”-treat
So you couldn’t go on the retreat. That doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from the wonderful experience of those of us who have attended one. And it doesn’t mean you can’t create your own little writing oasis. A “stay”-treat instead of a staycation.
Rather than an entire weekend, locate a place that inspires you, block out hours, and focus on your writing. Get involved in a writing community. Research educational opportunities online. Don’t shy away from writing the hard stuff, the dark stuff, and remember that you don’t have to feel isolated on your writing path.
Even the most introverted of us shouldn’t do it all or do it alone. Even the best multitasker among us must be deliberate about making time for creativity. Find space. Find time. Find your writing tribe. Make your writing your retreat.
Oh, by the way—if you want all these insights plus a lot more, sign up for our book newsletter—Ella and I are almost finished with our draft manuscript!
OR if you’ve been dreaming of writing your book but need a hand, let’s talk! You can schedule a free call with me here.