Jessie: My best tip for making the most of a writing retreat is to have a word count goal and then to use the energy of the group to create momentum for yourself toward that end. A retreat is by nature an extraordinary experience and it feels easier somehow to accomplish extraordinary things with your wok. So set a goal you think will be difficult but not impossible to achieve and then run at it headlong. I bet you’ll surprise yourself.
Edith: I’ve done several solo writing retreats and two group ones. My tip is to turn off the internet and just go. When I do that I can push out word count at night and in the afternoon, when I am usually not creative, as well as in the morning when I normally write. Once I wrote 10000 words in three days! Butt in the chair, fingers on the keyboard, and write. It totally works.
Barb: What I love about our group writing retreats is being among people who just “get it.” They understand my daily life and my goals. There’s not a lot of filling in or backing up or reframing to do. So that’s what I would say. Gather up like-minded souls whom you respect as writers and as people and the words will flow!
Sherry: Setting some ground rules is important to a successful retreat. One of our rules was when entering a room where someone is working if they didn’t look up don’t start talking to them. Being a social person and very happy to be around writing friends this rule worked very well for me. Sitting in a room where I could write and see someone sigh, pause and then start writing again and another fist pumping and then start typing again was pure bliss.
What are your tips for a great writing retreat? Have you joined a group at a getaway? Rented a hotel room for a weekend to crank some word count?