(c) 2014, Antoinette Assaf
It’s back to reality for me as I had spent the previous 5 days at the When Words Count retreat for writers in Rochester, Vermont. If you remember back in April 2014 I wrote a post about my first stay. This most recent trip, though shorter, was some of the most prolific days of my life. In three days, I managed to write almost 40,000 words of a rough draft for my first novel. There is magic in those mountains. Productivity just breathes life in you the moment your foot touches the land
To prepare for my very first retreat experience, I researched several different writing retreats across the world. I wanted a place that was built for writers and revolved around the craft. The reason I selected When Words Count in Vermont is because you get 3 full meals each day and there is a hash session every night with writing coaches. I hate cooking and love talking about writing, so this place is perfect for me. I don’t want to segregate against other retreats out there since I haven’t yet had a personal experience at other locations. However, the reviews of most retreats pretty much say the same thing: Creative juices flow within the walls.
So seriously, why are you still sitting there reading this? Go find yourself a retreat!
But before you go, here are some things to consider:
1. Pick a place that will suit your needs. There are a variety of writing retreats out there. Some are communal and others you are completely on your own. Do your research before you book a stay. If you are wanting 100% alone time, make sure the retreat offers that exclusivity. If you want your alone time, but would like interaction with others during meals, find a retreat that is more communal. Don’t be afraid to contact the retreat host to ask if their location suits your needs. Retreat hosts want you to be productive. If they know that their retreat will not meet your productivity needs, they should let you know.
2. Know that there is a huge difference between Writing Workshops and Writing Retreats. Writing Workshops are 100% communal and will require part (or most) of your day to be spent in some kind of class or presentation. Little time is usually left to focus on your writing. Writing Retreats offer 100% focus on your writing, despite if the retreat is communal or solitary. If you want to be completely dedicated to your work, then go to a writing retreat. If you are looking to take a class and have time to do a little writing, then a writing workshop is for you.
3. If you go communal, mingle! You are at a writers retreat – meet other writers. Connect with those that adore the same craft as you. On this past retreat, I connected with an amazing woman who has such a beautiful soul. She brought a lot of inspiration to the series I am working on. My plan for the series feels a little more grounded with her suggestions and thoughts. Allow yourself to connect to others. Many of you reading this are introverted (as am I), but if we stay in our shells we miss out on so much. We cannot do this craft alone. Make writer friends!!
4. Make time. Even if it is just for a day or two – escape! I have read several articles say, for some writers, just changing their environment makes them more productive. So a new room, new desk, new house could really get that word pot bubbling… but go on a retreat, it is much cheaper than buying a new house.
5. Take breaks, seriously – it is ok. Your cranium needs to refuel. While on the retreat, you are banging away at the keys and your grey matter is getting sleepy. Stop, walk away from the keyboard, and don’t feel guilty about it. Allow yourself to recharge. Take a walk, take a nap, take a swim, just take a break from writing, but make sure you get back to your writing when you are done.
6. Try to go at least once or twice a year. You need to be good to yourself and your writing. Do your best to get away to a writing retreat at least once or twice a year.
7. Take a friend. If you want to have a familiar face with you, bring along another writer. Just set a criteria like, “there is no talking until 8 pm at night.”
Keep in mind, that when looking for a retreat, it does not have to be an established location that is a “writing retreat”. You can select places off of AirBnB or any other short term leased housing. You can chose a place where you dreamed of escaping to, finding a little apartment or cabin for a temporary respite from the anti-writing time suck of life. Just remember… you are there to write, not sightsee (well, maybe a little sightseeing – you need inspiration after all).
Write in front of a picturesque scape of the Vermont country side. (c) 2014, Antoinette Assaf
The Sarcastic Muse 
I won’t likely be attending a writing retreat anytime soon, but I have come to understand the significance of your comment “We cannot do this craft alone” – even an online community helps a lot. Thanks again for sharing this insight.
A retreat can be for even 4 hours in a local coffee shop 😉
We writers are all in this together and online communities are fantastic. I use Meetup.com to sometimes find groups. That is actually how 3 of us in the Sarcastic Muse met. It was a Meetup.com writers group at a Border’s.
AMANDA!!!! 40,000 words?! I am both so impressed and so jealous. I want to go to When Words Count in 2015!
Let me just say – I am completely spent LOL. If you are really considering When Words Count in 2015, let me know. Maybe we can schedule trips around the same time.
Will do!
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Bloomingdale is a great course that is being mismanaged to death. At one point it was one of the premier public courses in the Tampa area, and it has slipped from the position big time. It is still a great layout with serious potential. The greens were in bad shape over the summer but they are coming around at this point. The fairways are in ok shape. The problem comes in with 5 and 6 hour rounds on the weekends. If you play on a Saturday or Sunday, just plan on there being 3 groups on every hole. A five and half hour round is pretty much what is to be expected. They simply over book the course. On a recent friday we went in early in the afternoon and asked if we could get on. He told us yeah there was room if we went on out to the teebox. We loaded up our bags and went straight to the tee, where we waited for a half hour to tee off. We ended up dropping out after 4 and a half hours and 14 hours. The guys behind us were complaining about why they bothered with a tee time if they were just going to let people walk on in front of them, and they were absolutely right. It”s hard to turn away business, but we should have been told to come back later. It”s sad because it could be a great course, but its hard to play anytime but weekday afternoons.