These days I tend to think I don't need them.
I've had a daily writing habit now for many years and I mainly manage to stick
to it. I've retired from the day job now and although I've somehow managed to
fill my time, I've doubled my writing output and have an even stricter regime
now that I still manage mainly to keep to.
So, why would I need to go on a writers'
retreat?
I used to bookmark any I came across and
dream of going to them. The contact with other writers they offered was very
tempting. What about that one in France where you all meet on the patio in the
evening for an aperitif before dining out in a local restaurant? Or that one
where a resident writer gives you daily feedback on your work? Or the one way
up in the Spanish mountains? Surely the views would inspire?
When I first started writing seriously I was
a Head of Modern Languages in a demanding secondary school and I was also
studying for a Masters in Writing for Children. My writing mainly happened
after 10.00 p.m. when I managed to get a second wind, at weekends, in the
school holidays and when I was actually away on holiday. A retreat then would
have been very handy.
I've actually enjoyed four retreats and they
have all been quite surprising.
In the Austrian Alps
This was a home-made retreat. I took a
week-long bargain holiday in a very well-appointed hotel and chose the half-board
package. I didn't need to worry then about where I would eat. Cafés were easy enough to find for lunch.
I used this mainly to edit a young adult
book. The book had been placed second in
a writing competition and the publisher who judged it thought it was worth
working on more. It did become published and is in fact out now in second
edition.
I certainly got more work done that I would
have at home. I also managed to do quite a lot of other things: swim and go for
walks every day, meet up with some German friends, visit a German publisher and
break a bone in my hand, thoroughly testing out the Austrian healthcare system
with which I was most impressed.
SCBWI - near Taunton
This was off the beaten track, difficult to
find, in the middle of nowhere, yet once we arrived, we were surprised by how
many other buildings were nearby. We had
lovely weather and it did have and open air pool which we were able to enjoy.
It also had a glorious, lush sloping lawn that we all longed to roll down but
didn't quite dare to.
Yes, we did a lot of writing. It was good
also to be connected with other writers. The bar opened before dinner and after
dinner we shared work. We also had talks by a published picture book writer and
an editor from a children's imprint. On the whole it was a very productive few
days.
Retreats for You
I attended this with two colleagues, the mum
of one of them and with my friend and business partner, Debz Hobbs-Wyatt. There was only one other guest and she fitted
in with us very well. The superb home cooking made this one a delight. Six
o'clock is wine o' clock and the hostess delivers a glass of wine to your desk.
There is plenty of time to chat over meals
and around the log fire in the evening. Debz and I even went to the pub one
evening – it is conveniently right opposite the retreat.
Again we went for walks and runs as well as
spending a lot of time writing.
I was pleased to note as well that some other
writers I knew had been there the week before.
Interestingly one project I worked on whilst
there gained a gold award form my publisher. This means I get 15% royalties.
Maybe being on retreat helps me to write
better, if not more, so might be worth it even for hardened writers like me.
Gladstone'sLibrary with SCBWI North West
I attended this retreat immediately after I retired from the
University of Salford. So yes, I provided the cava.
You can book into Gladstone's as an individual. This
includes meals and snacks and there are tea and coffee making facilities in the
rooms. There are no televisions in the rooms but digital radios. Some people
like to have music on in the background when they're writing.
There are many delightful places to write – in your room, in
the library, or, if the weather is fine, in the grounds.
Our writing sessions were punctuated by activities together,
meals and walks, of which there are many nearby. In the evenings we gathered in
the cosy lounge which has an honesty-box bar and a log fire.
It did kick start me into my new regime. Despite the breaks
I completed a lot of writing and found a sharper pace.
An old dream
I used to dream of owning a big house and offering writing
retreats. Now, I'm not so sure I have
the energy. However, I have been invited to act as a tutor on a fully-catered
retreat and I'm looking forward to that.
On balance, I would say that even for established writers
there is much merit in occasionally going on retreat.
