Lesson learned: If you get invited to a writers’ retreat, DO IT. For several years, I’d turned down the invitation. I was always too busy, too over-scheduled. I had a crazy hectic job and a boatload of working mom guilt. There was no way I could take a whole weekend for myself. And then, this year, I did. And immediately kicked myself for waiting so long.

My circumstances hadn’t changed much, but my mindset had. Instead of the million reasons why I couldn’t/shouldn’t/didn’t deserve to go, I said why not. And it turned out that spending a weekend communing with other children’s writers, sharing our works-in-progress, trouble-shooting problem areas, celebrating small and big successes, and finding the humor in our publishing woes was a joyous, rejuvenating gift.

I drove home thinking about all of our stories; the narrative options twisting and turning in my head like the curvy country highways I traveled. I was reminded that writing doesn’t have to be lonely — there’s a whole community of writers ready to nerd out with you. Most of all, I wanted to figure out how to hold onto that powerful writers’ retreat magic once I was back in the real world.

Here are some ideas for making that happen:

• Change up your writing space. Go someplace else. Sit on the floor. Stand at the counter. Write on a blanket in the grass. There’s something beautiful about having a sacred writing spot, but you can’t take your special chair with you on a writers’ retreat. Plus, getting out of your physical comfort zone can bring fresh thinking to your writing too.
• Be fully present during your writing time. By definition, writers’ retreats are for writing — that’s what you’re there to do. Few of us have the luxury to shove everything aside and devote every waking moment to writing (nor might we want to), but you can still be just as purposeful about how you spend the time you have, even if it’s only 30 minutes. No social media, no texting. Just writing.
• Stay connected with your writer friends. Meet up. Make a phone call. Start an email or snail mail correspondence. Keep the conversation going. Pick up where you left off. Those personal connections are one of the best parts of a writers’ retreat.
• Walk, write, walk. Repeat. Writers’ retreats are often hosted in lush, gorgeous locations with walking trails and places to roam. But even if you don’t live on a picturesque farmstead or in a forest beside a stream, spending time outside can still do wonders for your writing. The sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors can inspire you and clear your mind. And the solitary act of walking can help you get in the right head-space to write and/or ruminate on ideas that are still coming together.

© 2018 Rachel Martin. All Rights Reserved.