Writers Retreat Is Coming
- Jennifer Rae
- Mar 11, 2016
- 3 min read
It is less than a week before I go to my writers retreat. It will be from Friday until Sunday. What is a writer retreat? If you google it, you might find a heap of places where authors get together and work. They sometimes have classes, guests of some importance, and other writing activities. This is not what my writers retreats are. Mine are far more straightforward.
My writers retreats are when I lock myself in a hotel room for about 24 hours and just write. My partner first suggested them to me when I started publishing books in 2015. We have two children, and it is hard sometimes to concentrate on just writing when I write at the dining room table. It is also really hard to create a writing friendly environment when my kids want to watch cartoons. I prefer writing with a radio on. (or Spotify)
I have learnt a few things since I started these retreats about myself. Each time I go, I add something new to my must have list. As of now, the must have list is - * Must be able to open a window * air con that I can actually control * close to food - find food before leaving * must be from Friday - Sunday * microwave
Sydney Retreat: gorgeous location. I loved staring out of the window a the city. Darling Harbour was just a ten-minute walk away. I get inspired by man-made things. I am a city over country girl, and since I was working on my Skye Mongomery series which was set in Seattle, I thought the city was a better inspiration location. The problems didn't appear until the second night. I was sick, couldn't keep food down and just wanted to die. I blame it on the fact I was breathing recycled air from the air con for two days. So this was when I decided I needed to be able to open a window and an air con that actually worked. The aircon controls in this room were purely for show. Wollongong Retreat: This retreat was okay. Close to a beach and nature, which I don't prefer but the room was comfortable. My problem came from food this time. I did find an excellent and local chicken shop for dinner on the first night but didn't want to eat there again for lunch the next day. Being close to the beach, I thought I would find a local fish and chip shop. I went hunting for three hours looking fo food. I eventually googled it and found a fish and chip shop about twenty minutes from the hotel. Food is imperative when you are on a retreat. Katoomba Retreat: I was working on Extol of Agnatic Dreams at the time and we wanted to find a retreat with that castle kind of feel. We found it, but it was expensive and the retreat was booked near Christmas time so we were feeling poorer than normal. This retreat was not good from the beginning. Delays getting into the room, and then absolutely no view from the window. It's saving grace was the bay window which was a treat to sit in. This retreat taught me I needed them from Friday to Sunday. One night just wasn't enough for the price we spend on the hotel. Also, I need at least a microwave to reheat food, but a small kitchenette is preferred.
My upcoming retreat is back at Wollongong. Since I have been there before, I know where the food is so that is a plus. My partner is taking the Friday off so I can get there earlier than normal which will help my productivity. I am also taking the Mac laptop with me instead of my usual Alienware so I won't be so distracted with all of my extras on this laptop. Wish me luck internet land. My personal best was 20,000 words during a retreat (which was actually unofficial and located at my friends house)
Don't forget I am still on Kindle Scout, attempting to have my first full-length novel Extol of Agnatic Dreams. For the people of Amazon to read Extol and pass judgement on the book, I need to be in the hot and trending category. If you like the book, please nominate me.
If you nominate, and the campaign is successful, you will receive a free ebook copy of Extol of Agnatic Dreams https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/33JA1VEUEG9JT
This is an additional teaser http://puu.sh/nA9CE/1a84654c1c.pdf
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