The Season for Writing Retreats

With the smell of autumn in the air, I am tempted to hole up in a cabin somewhere and spend my days sipping hot liquids and burying myself in my manuscript.

A friend of mine has come up with a great way to make this dream of reality. Every winter she and several of her other writing friends meet at a cabin in Maine where they spend a long weekend tucked away. She then returns refreshed with renewed passion for writing and thousands of words added to whatever project she is working on at the time. (The group met through blogging originally, which is further proof that this format is a great way for writers to make connections with one another.)

Though I am always less productive when around other people, I appreciate the way that fellowship can add to a writer’s craft. After all, many of us have a tendency to get trapped in our own heads, and sometimes it can take being around other people to drag us out of them again. Writing retreats, even casual ones among friends, are a great way to make sure that we remain connected to other writers and the rest of the world.

For now though, the closest I’ll get to that hidden cabin is curling up on my couch with my laptop and hot cider. Maybe next year I’ll plan better to ensure I have a mountainous excursion.

Have other people discovered good ways to have a writing retreat somewhere? I’m curious to know where people go and whether or not they think these havens are worth it. (And if you have any beautiful locales you think are particularly inspirational, I’d love to hear about those as well!)

 

Image Attribution: Photography by Jason Koxvold, Studio Padron, Accessed 18 October 2016, http://www.dezeen.com/2016/09/04/studio-padron-hemmelig-rom-secluded-library-woods-new-york-state/