My First Writer’s Retreat

Boy was I jealous when Kitty and Stephanie went on a writer’s retreat to Las Vegas a few years ago! Sure they tried to include me with a daily phone call, but it wasn’t the same. I was still stuck at home amidst my daily chores, eking out writing time once the kids were in bed. Same old, same old.

I was invited to go along, but with two young kids at home and no family close by to pawn them off on, there was no way.

[An aside here: Lately I’ve gotten to watch my friend’s two-year old for the day. Now I remember why a few years ago I couldn’t seem to get a whole lot written! Young moms go easy on yourselvesJ You’ll have more writing time soon.]

Then, in January, suddenly, spontaneously, Kitty suggested we try for another retreat.  My heart pounded—could I do it? Cast all responsibilities to the writing muse? Claim a little of that “before-kids life?”

Logistics worked out well: Driving distance from my house. Grandma and Grandpa were in town. There was really no excuse not to go.

We had just days to take the plunge—not enough time to think too much about it, nor enough time to back out.

Being close to home I was able to swing back into town for teaching Sunday School and then back again midweek to teach my son’s science co-op class. I suppose I could have completely cleared my schedule, but this was a nice compromise for a first retreat.

I came prepared with books on craft; novels in my genre; and inspirational books. I had my laptop, coffee cup from home, favorite notebooks and pens, and thank-you cards to mail back to my family to let them know how much I appreciated them surviving without me.

Unfortunately, my husband would often call “the single-parent hotline” just as I was headed to the exercise room or the pool for a little afternoon wake up, but I really was working!

I was thrilled to have seemingly limitless uninterrupted writing minutes and wonderful writing conversations.

My writing retreat experience was so helpful to me in terms of getting work done, renewing my mind, and renewing my commitment to writing, that I’m already working on how to add a yearly retreat to my routines. (Even if it is just an overnight somewhere!) My retreat not only confirmed my writing commitment to myself, but also to my family. They know that mommy is serious about getting her book done.

P.S. Many thanks to Kitty for being that wonderfully spontaneous friend. Everyone needs a writing friend like her to encourage one to try something new. I only wish that Stephanie could have joined us live instead of on the phone. Maybe one year we’ll all manage a retreat at the same time.