Do you have tips for a writing retreat?
July 15, 2024 6:57 AM Subscribe
Next week I'm going away for a DIY writing retreat to (hopefully) make progress on the novel I'm writing. Do you have any tips, either based on your own DIY experience or things you've learned from formal residencies? I want to make this as conducive as possible and use the time well.
Last time I did this - and it was great - I brought takeout with me (I had a kitchen) to last the weekend. This turned out great because when I was on a roll, I didn’t have to figure out meals in any way. It kept my head in my novel.
I also packed a yoga mat and weights. Stretching out was really important. (It wasn’t nice weather or I’d’ve planned walks.)
On the writing end, I broke my goals out into approx 2 hour chunks (scene, scene, edit, figure x out) and that helped me stay on track.
Enjoy!
posted by warriorqueen at 7:34 AM on July 15 [3 favorites]
I also packed a yoga mat and weights. Stretching out was really important. (It wasn’t nice weather or I’d’ve planned walks.)
On the writing end, I broke my goals out into approx 2 hour chunks (scene, scene, edit, figure x out) and that helped me stay on track.
Enjoy!
posted by warriorqueen at 7:34 AM on July 15 [3 favorites]
If you've never tried the Pomodoro technique for focus and appropriate breaks, no time like a retreat to give it a go.
Here's a simple online Pomodoro tool I use all the time, and there's a brief explanation of the technique if you scroll down. (If the timer itself doesn't come up, just refresh the page a couple times.)
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 7:41 AM on July 15 [1 favorite]
Here's a simple online Pomodoro tool I use all the time, and there's a brief explanation of the technique if you scroll down. (If the timer itself doesn't come up, just refresh the page a couple times.)
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 7:41 AM on July 15 [1 favorite]
I think my biggest one is that this is a great chance to experiment with your process. Having concrete goals and making space for focused work toward them is great, but make time for unexpected diversions and new ideas where you can!
A couple years ago I went into a cross-disciplinary group creative retreat with a vague goal of finishing a short comic I'd been stuck on for ages, but once I was there wound up completely ditching it in favor of making some new work in media i hadn't spent much time with before (woodcarving and painting). Looking back, that was ultimately way more valuable to my practice in the long term than if I'd just forced myself to stare at the same project the whole time.
Make time for rest. Taking a nap counts as writing. Listening to the birds counts as writing. A conversation with a stranger is definitely writing.
Also, disconnect as much as possible. Turn your phone off and put it away. If you have to use it keep it in airplane mode. Make space for the quiet voice.
Have fun!
posted by cwill at 11:28 AM on July 15 [1 favorite]
A couple years ago I went into a cross-disciplinary group creative retreat with a vague goal of finishing a short comic I'd been stuck on for ages, but once I was there wound up completely ditching it in favor of making some new work in media i hadn't spent much time with before (woodcarving and painting). Looking back, that was ultimately way more valuable to my practice in the long term than if I'd just forced myself to stare at the same project the whole time.
Make time for rest. Taking a nap counts as writing. Listening to the birds counts as writing. A conversation with a stranger is definitely writing.
Also, disconnect as much as possible. Turn your phone off and put it away. If you have to use it keep it in airplane mode. Make space for the quiet voice.
Have fun!
posted by cwill at 11:28 AM on July 15 [1 favorite]
I've done this a few times and it definitely helped to lightly schedule the day with some sprints but also fun breaks in-between. If there are any cool local sights to see, plan a short trip to visit at least one. Also, try to stop before you're flat-out exhausted, otherwise it will be harder to get back into the groove.
posted by rpfields at 3:25 PM on July 15
posted by rpfields at 3:25 PM on July 15
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One way of doing this is by recalibrating your goals.
So, every day set an intention or goal, but recalibrate that intention or goal halfway through the day, when what is possible becomes clearer.
That way you stay focused, but you're not beating yourself up over not doing this or not doing that.
posted by einekleine at 7:07 AM on July 15 [2 favorites]