The Benefits of a Writing Retreat

I’ve heard of writers’ retreats where people go to classes then meet up with publishers and agents at a shot of having their manuscript read and hopefully land a contract. I’ve never attended one because they never seemed to occur on a weekend where I had the time to spend at such an event.

However, in August 2023, I attended my first writing retreat. That appealed to me because I’d been in a writing slump for months and wanted the chance to break out of that to get back into a regular writing rhythm. And it worked. In one weekend, I went from writing zero words to over three thousand. I spent time in nature and wrote whatever came to mind. I wrote about a rainbow appearing in a water fountain and the cadence of songs of the various insects in the small sanctuary. The blue sky and cool breeze also enhanced my creative juices.

I left that weekend renewed and energized. But it wasn’t just about the writing. I taught the opening class and had the opportunity to spend quality time over meals with the other women joining me that weekend. We connected in a kind of sisterhood that is sure to last for many years to come.

We shared what we wrote with each other and offered critiques and encouragement where needed. When I read what I thought was a heart wrenching poem, they viewed it as a modern-day psalm. I’m glad I had the courage to share that one with them.

I look forward to being a part of this type of retreat in the future. I’m so glad the organizer is doing it again.