Why You Need To Attend A Writing Retreat
Writing and writing retreats go together like… *add all the cliches you can list*.
Well, cliches aside, writing retreats seem to work. Time and space when dedicated to writing, provides results. This is because when we make a commitment, when we focus and when we surround ourselves with like-minded people, good things can happen.
Here at Derbyshire Writing School, we’re launching our first set of writing retreats and we thought it would be a good idea to talk about why a writing retreat is a tool you could (and should) add to your writing toolbox.
What is a writing retreat?
A writing retreat is essentially a dedicated time and place for you to write. It’s a space that should feel relaxing, calming, and enjoyable and hopefully a space that’s conducive to lots of writing. The key aim of a writing retreat is that it should take you away from your usual responsibilities, and commitments and it should allow you to focus on your work. This can be an organised retreat, or it can be something you plan on your own. We can think of writing retreats as huge fancy, expensive experiences, but a short trip to your favourite café can produce amazing results.
What are the benefits of attending a writing retreat?
If having time and space to write isn’t enough of a benefit of attending a writing retreat then don’t worry, there is more.
You’ll meet other writers like you. This can be one of the most useful parts of a retreat. Discussing your work or talking about writing with people who ‘get it’, can feel so rewarding. You’ll never know who you’ll meet, and you’ll help each other on your writing journies.
You’ll be able to reflect. When we’re in the trenches with a book or stressed about not having time to write, we focus on the problems and what we must do, but we don’t stop and reflect on how far we’ve come. Or what we’ve achieved. Taking five to review characters we’ve created, and the storyline we’ve made from scratch – can be a powerful motivator.
You’ll start to develop (or strengthen) your self-discipline. This means you’ll start to see how valuable it is to create time to write, and this will strengthen your writing muscle (and commitment) to writing when you’re not at the retreat. It’s a win-win.
You’ll have fun! Writing should be joyful and fun, so why not make a writing retreat you’d hobby? Make time for yourself and your writing.
What happens at a writing retreat?
Some writing retreats may be formally structured. Some may be more relaxed. A structured retreat may have prompts or may use writing sprints to help guide the group of writers. It may also have specified breaks or ‘no talking zones’. Whereas other retreats may be less formal and might ask you to share what you’re working on or, let you ‘get on with it’. Derbyshire Writing School retreats are a little bit of both! It’s a good idea to decide what works for you and check in to see if the retreat will meet your needs.
How to prepare for a writing retreat?
You can prepare for a writing retreat in a few different ways but know that you don’t have to prepare. You could just rock up with a laptop, or notepad and write. That’s what’s so great about writing retreats, it’s the time and space you need to decide how to move forward. You could find you spend half the time planning your writing, so after the retreat, it’s easier to get into a routine. Or you could suddenly feel inspired as you sit down, and your imagination (and brain) breathe a sigh of relief as the ideas come flooding out!
However, if you’d like to prepare for your retreat, you could:
Set some writing goals – decide what you’d like to achieve in the time. It could be word counts, lists, or set times you’d like to write for.
Plan what you’ll write – this means outlining a chapter, a blog post, or even creating an overview of your novel, so you can pick a place to start.
Take some inspiration with you – if you’ve got an ideas journal, or if you’ve got a notebook filled with scribbled ideas, or clippings from the things you love bring it with you! It’s a great resource to inspire you as you write.
Bring a book – you may arrive at the retreat filled with hope and plans to write, but we’ve had those days where the words won’t flow. Bring a book and enjoy some quiet reading time. It’s amazing how quickly a book can help ideas to churn. A chapter or two and you’ll soon be writing!
How can Derbyshire Writing School help?
So often we think we have the time to write. We think when the washing is done. When the list to do is complete when the kitchen table is tidy. We think we’ll then make time and space to write. But, more often than not, something ‘important’ crops up and steals our writing time away.
What if you made a commitment to your writing? What if you showed up and wrote that chapter you’ve been thinking about? What if you carved out some time in your busy week to draft the blog post that’s been burning in the back of your mind?
You can start working on your novel. You can complete your memoir. You can draft that poem. You can sit and journal. And we can help.
Join us for a writing retreat in Buxton, Derbyshire.
We’ll start with very short introductions; set some writing goals and then you’ll be off. In your own privately hired café. With no distractions, a sprinkle of background music, and a boost of coffee and cake to fuel your creativity.
Imagine starting the week with some words under your belt.
Imagine starting your week by making space for yourself.
Imagine starting the week in a mindful way.
That’s what our writing retreats are all about. Check our shop for the latest dates.
How will it work?
You’ll need to bring a writing project, a laptop or a pen and paper/ your favourite journal.
We’ll have some writing prompts if you need them, but bring the project that you’ve been desperate to work on. We’ll be writing in sprints, which allows you to get into a mindful space. There will also be a quick burst at the end of the session to share some reflections.
If you’re interested in adding the tool of a writing retreat to your writing toolbox, we’d love to see you at one of our writing retreats.
