Every writer might think – why should I plunk money down for a retreat? A conference? A workshop? Even a few days or a weekend away with another writer friend? We write at home, in jammies, at Panera or some coffee house, surrounded by noise or listening to music, at night when the kids are asleep, or in the morning, at lunch, whenever we can squeeze in a paragraph or a page or a chapter. What’s the big deal?
FEED. THE. MUSE.
Any writer can only go so long, slogging through blank pages or outlining a plot, doing revisions or line edits or completely rewriting something. Too much work and no play makes for a very dull writer. Trust me on this.
Every writer needs to kick back. Read. Relax. Talk writing, reading, books, ideas, brainstorm a new plot, get into a hot debate about e-books versus print, research, rejections, genre vs. literary fiction, characters and setting, whatever floats their boat at the time. Why?
Because. Isn’t that enough reason why?
Okay, maybe not. But writers are artists. What? You didn’t know that? They use laptops, not brushes and paint, or clay, or even old books and cutting instruments.
They weigh and measure words like gourmet artisans in the best kitchens. Throw them like potters working a wheel, only on a white computer screen. Substitute and rearrange them, listen to their cadence and rhythm like poets. Tell me that’s not art.
Go ahead. I dare you.
So writers need time to build up their creative juices, to find the misplaced muse, to feed on the heavenly nectar of celebrating any success, big or small. Yes. They do.
It’s worth the time. The money. The energy spent listening, discussing, sitting in silence. Even visiting another writer friend for a lunch, or a few days, if a writer happens to be short of cash. Writers don’t have to spend a thousand bucks or five hundred, or twenty. Whatever works.
Feed your muse. Tell me what works for you. Where you love to spend your time in retreat.
Go ahead. Take the plunge.
I love retreats. Just having uninterrupted time is wonderful. Sometimes you really need to focus on a story to move it forward and I find a convenient excuse is that I only have a few minutes and the kids are watching Diego or Dora so I won’t be able to concentrate. And nothing gets done. No excuses at a retreat.
Sooo true, Joselyn! Even if you’re busy with workshops, or talking about writing, the wheels start turning again for your story. I find I can write better once I get home from a retreat or workshop!
Great post! I always talk about conferences, but never actually follow through. Writer’s retreats too. Maybe this year will be the year….
Sure hope to see you at SHU’s In Your Write Mind!
I absolutely agree, Meg! Conferences are where I get my inspiration, whether or not I learn anything new. Retreats are a chance to re-energize and write a lot. I’ve gone to retreats where a bunch of us rent a bed-and-breakfast for the entire weekend and sit around writing in our jammies, as well as week long retreats at the university where we sit in a quiet classroom with nothing but our laptops. Both are great for getting the voices in our heads to tell us their stories in a way we can capture them for others.
You’re so right, Patty. I spent several days visiting a writer friend, and it was just like a “retreat” — we talked writing, plotted and brainstormed, and just had a great time. It’s so important to “shake up” the routine once in a while.