November 7, 2024 • 21 mins
Unlock the true potential of your writing at a retreat! Today Melody Ann delves into how writing retreats offer not just fun, but deep learning and connection opportunities for authors. Discover how the right retreat can help you elevate your craft, connect with other writers, and uncover your true writing focus.
Key Takeaways:
Whether you’re searching for a writing partner or looking to expand your creative horizons, this episode is packed with tips on finding fun, learning, and connection at writing retreats.
Want a step-by-step roadmap to make your book a success? Grab my FREE Guide: From Overwhelmed to Writing here: http://authornation.online/writing
Explore more valuable insights, as well as 3 actionable steps post-show at https://authornationtube.com/fun-learning-and-connection-at-writing-retreats/
Key Takeaways:
- Writing retreats bring fun, learning, and deep connection into one immersive experience.
- Discover how to find the perfect retreat and even a writing partner.
- Learn how connecting with other writers can supercharge your writing journey.
Whether you’re searching for a writing partner or looking to expand your creative horizons, this episode is packed with tips on finding fun, learning, and connection at writing retreats.
Want a step-by-step roadmap to make your book a success? Grab my FREE Guide: From Overwhelmed to Writing here: http://authornation.online/writing
Explore more valuable insights, as well as 3 actionable steps post-show at https://authornationtube.com/fun-learning-and-connection-at-writing-retreats/
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Welcome to author Nation Interviews. Today we are diving into
writing retreats. I'm so excited about this. I was looking
at the retreats I got pulled right in. We're going
to explore the benefits of retreats, how to find the
right retreat for you, and so much more. I'm your host,
Melanie Anne, and I'm here to guide you towards actionable
insights and strategies that will not only help you write
(00:33):
your book, but also connect with your readers on a
deeper level. So here at author Nation, we are committed
to your success. Of course, this is why we're here,
this is why do the podcast, And if you're looking
for resources, go check us out at authoration dot online.
Scrolling past you right now, there's a treasure trove of
resources there for you no matter where you are in
(00:54):
your writing process. So whether you're sipping your morning coffee
or winding down a long day, settle in as we
explore how writing retreats can transform your writing and your
ability to share your story with the world, because I
know sometimes that's tough. My guest, Lisa Shaughnessy, is on
a mission to help writers find writing retreats that help
(01:17):
them reach their writing and publishing goals faster through her
writing retreat directory, website, and podcast, Your Writing Retreat Connection.
While working on her own writing, Lisa saw a need
to help other writers discover writing retreats that will inspire, motivate,
and support them. She lives with her husband and dog
(01:38):
in northern Virginia and enjoys traveling, camping, genealogy, and writing
creative nonfiction short stories and her Andy Schubert Cozy mystery
series under a pen name that I'm not going to
tell you, but you can find it on Kindall Vella.
Let's welcome Lisa Shaughnessy. Hi, Lisa, how are you?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
I'm great, melody, and thanks for having.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Me absolutely, And so we've been working on this for
a long time, haven't we. And I'm so excited about this.
So I want to talk about this mission. You know,
so writing retreats, they're wonderful things. But what can you
just give us, you know a little bit of the
backstory there? What how did this come to be?
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Well, because I was looking for one.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Great I had really started getting into my writing in
twenty eighteen, and by twenty nineteen I was looking for
writing retreats to you know, really help me.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
And I came across.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
All these blog posts of twenty best writing retreats, eighty
best writing retreats, you do, all these crazy I just
couldn't do it.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
So I'm a process seek.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
So I got up my spreadsheets and I'm dutifully like
coffee pasting into my spreadsheet, you know, the name, the
about where it's at, the dates, because if we're going
to a writing retreat, there's so much information that we
need to.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Like sift through.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Right, are we going to be able to go through
these dates? Is that an area? Do we need a passport?
Speaker 2 (03:09):
You know?
Speaker 3 (03:10):
We'll is that within my budget? So I just was
trying to rank and stack these writing retreats so I
could decide which one to go to. And I found one.
I was excited, and it was in May.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Of twenty twenty or I know, right, So I don't.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Know how long we'll be able to kind of say
that it wasn't you know, something of twenty twenty, and
everybody immediately remembers, oh, right, that was when the world
shut down and we couldn't go anywhere. So I had
to bunch of time on my hands. And I've always
been an entrepreneur. I've owned my own businesses since twenty twelve,
so my mind immediately goes to a business process and
(03:52):
I'm like, Okay, well I don't see a writing retreat directory.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
I guess I'll make one.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Eat that's brilliant. I think that's brilliant. And here's here's
the here's the extra bit. So if I'm looking for
a writing retreat, one of the things I'm looking for
is it warm. Because I live in Canada, and so
I want to writing retreat in the middle of January
or beginning of February. That's warm. So so you know
where it is. You know, it's probably really important to
(04:21):
me as well. Right, So what are the benefits we're
thinking about? You know, the audiences nonfiction authors? What are
the benefits that writing retreats offer that you know, we
take courses, we do workshops, and we even do book coaching.
So why writing retreats. Why not all those other things,
not that we should have those as well. What do
(04:42):
the writing retreats have for us?
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Okay, writing retreats immerse you in that experience.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
You get twenty four to seven access, although I hope
people don't use all the twenty four hours access to
your writing or coach, you're writing mentor the other right
retreat attendees with all of their vast experience and knowledge.
You get to have deeper conversations about your book. You
(05:09):
get to hear what other people are doing, and not
in just sort of a scripted Okay, we have a
one hour coaching session. Go, it's in this we're talking
over coffee, we're talking over lunch, where the conversations are
much more relaxed.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
So a writer retreat just gets you into.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
That writing mode, into that receptive mode to hear all
of these creative ideas and just really learn from other
people without interruptions, with just this is your only focus.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Yeah, so I can see that writing retreats could really
compliment courses, work chops and book coaching. Would you just
expand on that?
Speaker 2 (05:49):
Oh? Sure.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
I call it a stair stepping model, which I think,
especially depending on where you are, like in your writing process,
in your writing journey, start with workshops on either specific
craft topics or a genre or something that interests you,
because that's bite sized pieces.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Right.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Workshops in person or online are usually shorter and very focused,
so you can really dive into a specific topic and
you can get to know the instructor, and then you
can move maybe to coaching, you know, book coaching or
courses or you know, anything that's kind of a little
bit longer and maybe it's a little bit broader in topics.
(06:30):
And then when you kind of get your legs, you
kind of get you know, you're writing together, and then
a writer retreat is a great way to kind of
bring all of that together, or even just fill in
gaps that maybe you didn't get with all that other
maybe you're looking for a little bit more, a little
bit deeper. So I agree, I think that having all
(06:51):
of those is so important to I mean, I take
advantage of all those. I have a book coach, I'm
in a small writing group. You know, all of those
are important and they all have their place, and I
think a writing retreat just helps bring all of that together.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Yeah, that makes perfect sense. So if I'm looking for
a writing retreat and I found one, you know, what
do I need to do before I get there? Do
I have to have like my core message sorted out?
What's the prep work for me?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Well, it depends on where you're at, I think. So
I've talked to a lot of writers. I've interviewed writers
for my podcast and some have gone okay. One guy
I interviewed was literally landed, got in his rental car,
and on the way to the retreat started thinking through
this idea that he then fleshed out and wrote his book.
(07:44):
His book was published less than a year later, so
he came with like really nothing and then flushed it
out on the way and then you know, was able
to do more at the retreat.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
So I say it's great for that, or if you have.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
A lot of different messages. I know with nonfiction, especially
business or self help, we can sometimes well I could
talk about this, I can talk about that, and they
all go together. But a writing retreat and talking specifically
with a running retreatment or coach can help you kind
of weed through, like what's the one that resonates with
(08:20):
you the most? What do you really want to talk about?
So I think it can give you another set of
eyes and just another brain. Because we're always so close
to our writing, you know, we we don't see we're
just like all of it, all of it. So I
think that having somebody else look at that and help
(08:41):
you discern what that core message is, I think that
could be really helpful.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Yeah. I know with some of my clients, they kind
of come to the conclusions like, Okay, so I have
five books, and the answer to the question then is, well,
which one are we going to write first?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Right?
Speaker 1 (08:57):
You know, It's like because there's some people just have
such a wealth of information and you know, just picking
a narrowing down a topic can be really hard. So
my next question, I guess is, I mean there are
people who for whatever reason, you're incredibly busy and they
just don't you know, I work with doctors and other
(09:18):
professionals who tend to work long, long hours and they
want to write a book, and a lot of them
just say, look, I just can't take a week off
and you know, go to Costa Rica and put my
feet up and write my book. I just I don't
have it. Or other authors might say, hey, I'm starting
out and I have a lot of financial constraints. What
(09:39):
are the alternatives for these authors who just don't feel
they can hop on a plane and fly to a retreat.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
Well, first, I would say there are a lot of
virtual writing retreats that can fill those gaps, So not
as many as in person, as far as I found
and I think it's starting to gain some more stams,
some more traction for people doing virtual writing retreats. But
if you can carve away that time, if you can,
(10:07):
you know, put the do not disturb sign on the door,
or even rent a local airbnb, you know, just for
a weekend, then I think a virtual writing retreat is
a great, a great way to do that. And also,
you know, you could start your own writing group, you
can get attend writing groups, you can be involved in that.
I mean, there's more ways than just a writing retreat
(10:30):
if you want to explore, you know, just connecting with
other authors and being part of that, being part of
that environment.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yeah, no, I love that. That makes perfect sense. Do
you have any memorable moments that you know from writing
retreats that you were on where you had I don't know,
aha moment or like something magical happened.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Well, okay, this is embarrassing, but I have not yet
gone on a writing retreat because one I started the
business and then I started the podcast.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
But I am going on one. I have one.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
I'm going in April, and actually it's in Ontario, so
I'm super excited. But I have interviewed almost one hundred
writing retreat leaders and also writers. Writers I don't have
as much luck getting on the show because they're a
little more shy to talk about themselves. But the writers
that have been on have just said transformative. I think
(11:27):
that's the one word I hear the most, and they
aren't expecting it. They're kind of expecting, Okay, I'll go
to this retreat that kind of helped me. I'll figure
out some writing stuff, maybe I'll figure out what my
character's doing. And then they come back and they're just like, Okay,
that was amazing. The connections they made, the writers they
(11:49):
talked to, the progress they made on their book, the breakthroughs,
just the writer's block that they've managed to just smash
has been amazing. People have started. I've interviewed two people
who have actually started kind of movements from their books,
their nonfiction books. One was the guy I was talking about,
(12:09):
Michael Niece. If I can say this, I don't know,
but he wrote a book in kind and that's the
one He drove to the airport with no idea, or
drove to the retreat with no idea and then flushed
it out. And then another woman wrote a very very
moving story about her own trauma and this writing retreat
(12:30):
she attended. The people were just amazing and helped her,
you know, get through it and write her story to
help other people. So it, yeah, it really is a
transformative experience.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
That's amazing. So I have to admit that before we
got on to record this, I was on the directory
looking at retreats and I just got so pulled in
and then I was a little bit late, So I
apologize for that. I'm social then, and you know, if
(13:05):
you're watching out there, you're listening out there. I promise
you you're going to start looking at these retreats and you're
going to get sucked right in, just like I did.
So go check it out. Find your perfect retreat at
Writing retreat directory dot com. It's in front of you
if you're watching, and it will be in the description
and the show notes if you are listening to the podcast.
(13:28):
Oh right, So I wanted to say that because I
was just like, I know, you can go on a
writing retreat, so you share them. You know, when we
were talking, you shared three valuable takeaways for aspiring authors
and and you know, and how they relate to retreats,
and it's clarifying your message, connecting with other authors, and
(13:50):
being open to new experiences. So how do you think
these three things? So, connecting with other authors and being
open to new experiences, these are very very specific to retreats, right,
These the things you can't necessarily get So can you
just elaborate a little bit more on these ideas so
(14:11):
people understand like what they're getting into.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
Sure, So, the way I like to talk about it
is we go through life. We go through our day.
It's routine, right, not much happens. Our brain's on autopilot.
We don't really have to be aware of our surroundings.
You know, we get up, we end up at work,
and we're thinking, how did we get here?
Speaker 2 (14:29):
I hope I can run a red light. But when
we're in new surroundings, when we're around different people, when
we're hearing different experiences, our brains have to pay attention, right,
our brains have to wake up. They're kind of scanning like, okay,
is this is new? What do I have to know?
What do I have to be aware of?
Speaker 3 (14:51):
You know, I do would say like danger or whatever,
because hopefully not at a writing retreat, but but our
brains do have to be more aware of what's going on.
Because all of this is new, they don't know how
to process it yet. So that is one of the
really great things about the writing retreat and how it
helps like fill our creative will and just get us
(15:11):
really opening up to new creative experiences and for new
ideas for our books. Right if you're in a different
environment and say, I don't know, you've gone to California,
You've never seen the mountains, and all of a sudden
you think, oh, maybe one of my characters could you know,
be a sky instructor, or we could go hiking in
the mountains.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
It just it gives you that visual that.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
You don't get from reading about mountains or reading about
an experience. You can now go back and visualize that
as you write it. So I just think that in
person experience and seeing different things, hearing from different people
just really lights our brains up and gives us more
to work with.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Right, So, if you're writing a book about Tuscany, do
a writing retreat in Tuscany.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Oh for sure, what excuse? Absolutely?
Speaker 1 (16:03):
So, I've gone to the website, I've clicked on find
a receipt a retreat. I've gone through the retreats and
I noticed, like you have retreats like you know, next April,
next May, next June. So I found this perfect retreat
for myself. I've signed up. Now what do I do?
What are the so once an author signs up for
a retreat, what are the next three steps they should
(16:27):
take to make that retreat a success for them?
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Well, a lot of the retreat leaders and hosts have
information on their website. I would say the first thing
to do is comb through that, make sure you understand
all of the details what they're offering, and sometimes they'll
have schedules. What you know with the planning schedule and
what you bring you if there's something special you want
to bring. And then if it's overseas from wherever you're at,
(16:54):
if it's in another country, start getting your travel documents together.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
And just you know, there's not a whole lot.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Because other than kind of the logistics, once you arrive,
that's when it'll start happening.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Because even if you go with.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
All of these preconceived notions, Oh, I'm going to outline this,
I'm going to write a thousand words. So many people
I've talked to, once they've gotten to the retreat, things
change their brain starts thinking of different things because.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Now we've decluttered.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
I know, I'm kind of going off from your original question,
but when your brain has decluttered, you're now thinking of nothing,
but you're writing, and all that stuff that's been like shoved.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
To the back is now pushing its way forward.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
So you think you're going to outline such and such
a book and your brain is like, no, we're going
to talk about this. So I would say, be prepared
for it not to go exactly as you've planned, and
to be flexible, be open minded.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
About where the retreat takes you and you're writing.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
I love that so it it reminds me that I
think about writing a book a little bit like having
a baby. Right when we're going to write a book,
we start reading books about writing books, and we start
buying all the things we need, the pens and the
papers and the notebooks and the this and the that,
so so you know, and then and then some wise
person comes along and says, yeah, you know, you know
(18:22):
that what you really need is so what's the answer
to that? What do people need to take on a retreat?
Speaker 3 (18:31):
Well, so much as that is different for everybody, but
I think, just again, to be open to it, to
have an idea what you want to write, even if
it's not perfect, and even ahead of it. So you know,
a lot of times we book a retreat out months
maybe even a year in advance, right because nobody, well
most people are not going to be like, oh, that
(18:53):
sounds like a great retreat in thirty days, I'm going
to quickly go.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
So I would say start preparing your writing. It'll block
down time off.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
Make it a priority, Start in your mind, making it
one of your priorities. And then when you're ready to
go to the retreats, it's like the cob webs are
kind of already shaken off.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
You're kind of primed for writing.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
Even if it's once a month, even if it's you know,
once a week, whatever, you can make time for your writing.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
I would say definitely do that.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Yeah, lovely, thank you so much. So I know people
can find your website at Writing retreat directory dot com.
Where can we find you your podcast? Just give us
a little bit more information so our listeners can connect
with you as well.
Speaker 3 (19:37):
Sure, so on Writing retreat directory dot com. I have
a podcast link in the menu and you can see
all my podcast episodes. And then I have links to
Apple and Spotify, so you can, you know, go follow
it on one of those and on Instagram. I'm writing
retreat directory and Facebook Writing retreat Directory. I'm sure I
am wonderful.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
So if you've been thinking about doing a writing retreat,
you should go do that. Lisa, thank you so much
for joining us today. I really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Thank you, Melodie, and it's been great to be here.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
Good, wonderful. I'm glad you think so. Yeah, I've had
so much fun. I have to say so thank you
for joining us on author Nation today. I hope this
conversation has provided you with some insights into what retreat
can really do for you and some inspirations, so you
go find one for you because they can be, as
(20:32):
Lisa said, you know, very different than a coaching or
editing or writing group experience. Remember to visit authornation dot
online to find your treasure trove of resources. And we
always greatly appreciate your feedback and your support. So if
you've enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a comment, write
us a review, and don't forget to share it with
(20:53):
an author you know who desperately needs to go on
a retreat your participation really helps us continue deliver these
insights and these tools to help you succeed. So keep writing,
keep creating, and keep continuing, keep sharing your unique stories
with the world.
Welcome to author Nation Interviews. Today we are diving into
writing retreats. I'm so excited about this. I was looking
at the retreats I got pulled right in. We're going
to explore the benefits of retreats, how to find the
right retreat for you, and so much more. I'm your host,
Melanie Anne, and I'm here to guide you towards actionable
insights and strategies that will not only help you write
(00:33):
your book, but also connect with your readers on a
deeper level. So here at author Nation, we are committed
to your success. Of course, this is why we're here,
this is why do the podcast, And if you're looking
for resources, go check us out at authoration dot online.
Scrolling past you right now, there's a treasure trove of
resources there for you no matter where you are in
(00:54):
your writing process. So whether you're sipping your morning coffee
or winding down a long day, settle in as we
explore how writing retreats can transform your writing and your
ability to share your story with the world, because I
know sometimes that's tough. My guest, Lisa Shaughnessy, is on
a mission to help writers find writing retreats that help
(01:17):
them reach their writing and publishing goals faster through her
writing retreat directory, website, and podcast, Your Writing Retreat Connection.
While working on her own writing, Lisa saw a need
to help other writers discover writing retreats that will inspire, motivate,
and support them. She lives with her husband and dog
(01:38):
in northern Virginia and enjoys traveling, camping, genealogy, and writing
creative nonfiction short stories and her Andy Schubert Cozy mystery
series under a pen name that I'm not going to
tell you, but you can find it on Kindall Vella.
Let's welcome Lisa Shaughnessy. Hi, Lisa, how are you?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
I'm great, melody, and thanks for having.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Me absolutely, And so we've been working on this for
a long time, haven't we. And I'm so excited about this.
So I want to talk about this mission. You know,
so writing retreats, they're wonderful things. But what can you
just give us, you know a little bit of the
backstory there? What how did this come to be?
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Well, because I was looking for one.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Great I had really started getting into my writing in
twenty eighteen, and by twenty nineteen I was looking for
writing retreats to you know, really help me.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
And I came across.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
All these blog posts of twenty best writing retreats, eighty
best writing retreats, you do, all these crazy I just
couldn't do it.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
So I'm a process seek.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
So I got up my spreadsheets and I'm dutifully like
coffee pasting into my spreadsheet, you know, the name, the
about where it's at, the dates, because if we're going
to a writing retreat, there's so much information that we
need to.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Like sift through.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Right, are we going to be able to go through
these dates? Is that an area? Do we need a passport?
Speaker 2 (03:09):
You know?
Speaker 3 (03:10):
We'll is that within my budget? So I just was
trying to rank and stack these writing retreats so I
could decide which one to go to. And I found one.
I was excited, and it was in May.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Of twenty twenty or I know, right, So I don't.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Know how long we'll be able to kind of say
that it wasn't you know, something of twenty twenty, and
everybody immediately remembers, oh, right, that was when the world
shut down and we couldn't go anywhere. So I had
to bunch of time on my hands. And I've always
been an entrepreneur. I've owned my own businesses since twenty twelve,
so my mind immediately goes to a business process and
(03:52):
I'm like, Okay, well I don't see a writing retreat directory.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
I guess I'll make one.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Eat that's brilliant. I think that's brilliant. And here's here's
the here's the extra bit. So if I'm looking for
a writing retreat, one of the things I'm looking for
is it warm. Because I live in Canada, and so
I want to writing retreat in the middle of January
or beginning of February. That's warm. So so you know
where it is. You know, it's probably really important to
(04:21):
me as well. Right, So what are the benefits we're
thinking about? You know, the audiences nonfiction authors? What are
the benefits that writing retreats offer that you know, we
take courses, we do workshops, and we even do book coaching.
So why writing retreats. Why not all those other things,
not that we should have those as well. What do
(04:42):
the writing retreats have for us?
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Okay, writing retreats immerse you in that experience.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
You get twenty four to seven access, although I hope
people don't use all the twenty four hours access to
your writing or coach, you're writing mentor the other right
retreat attendees with all of their vast experience and knowledge.
You get to have deeper conversations about your book. You
(05:09):
get to hear what other people are doing, and not
in just sort of a scripted Okay, we have a
one hour coaching session. Go, it's in this we're talking
over coffee, we're talking over lunch, where the conversations are
much more relaxed.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
So a writer retreat just gets you into.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
That writing mode, into that receptive mode to hear all
of these creative ideas and just really learn from other
people without interruptions, with just this is your only focus.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Yeah, so I can see that writing retreats could really
compliment courses, work chops and book coaching. Would you just
expand on that?
Speaker 2 (05:49):
Oh? Sure.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
I call it a stair stepping model, which I think,
especially depending on where you are, like in your writing process,
in your writing journey, start with workshops on either specific
craft topics or a genre or something that interests you,
because that's bite sized pieces.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Right.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Workshops in person or online are usually shorter and very focused,
so you can really dive into a specific topic and
you can get to know the instructor, and then you
can move maybe to coaching, you know, book coaching or
courses or you know, anything that's kind of a little
bit longer and maybe it's a little bit broader in topics.
(06:30):
And then when you kind of get your legs, you
kind of get you know, you're writing together, and then
a writer retreat is a great way to kind of
bring all of that together, or even just fill in
gaps that maybe you didn't get with all that other
maybe you're looking for a little bit more, a little
bit deeper. So I agree, I think that having all
(06:51):
of those is so important to I mean, I take
advantage of all those. I have a book coach, I'm
in a small writing group. You know, all of those
are important and they all have their place, and I
think a writing retreat just helps bring all of that together.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Yeah, that makes perfect sense. So if I'm looking for
a writing retreat and I found one, you know, what
do I need to do before I get there? Do
I have to have like my core message sorted out?
What's the prep work for me?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Well, it depends on where you're at, I think. So
I've talked to a lot of writers. I've interviewed writers
for my podcast and some have gone okay. One guy
I interviewed was literally landed, got in his rental car,
and on the way to the retreat started thinking through
this idea that he then fleshed out and wrote his book.
(07:44):
His book was published less than a year later, so
he came with like really nothing and then flushed it
out on the way and then you know, was able
to do more at the retreat.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
So I say it's great for that, or if you have.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
A lot of different messages. I know with nonfiction, especially
business or self help, we can sometimes well I could
talk about this, I can talk about that, and they
all go together. But a writing retreat and talking specifically
with a running retreatment or coach can help you kind
of weed through, like what's the one that resonates with
(08:20):
you the most? What do you really want to talk about?
So I think it can give you another set of
eyes and just another brain. Because we're always so close
to our writing, you know, we we don't see we're
just like all of it, all of it. So I
think that having somebody else look at that and help
(08:41):
you discern what that core message is, I think that
could be really helpful.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Yeah. I know with some of my clients, they kind
of come to the conclusions like, Okay, so I have
five books, and the answer to the question then is, well,
which one are we going to write first?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Right?
Speaker 1 (08:57):
You know, It's like because there's some people just have
such a wealth of information and you know, just picking
a narrowing down a topic can be really hard. So
my next question, I guess is, I mean there are
people who for whatever reason, you're incredibly busy and they
just don't you know, I work with doctors and other
(09:18):
professionals who tend to work long, long hours and they
want to write a book, and a lot of them
just say, look, I just can't take a week off
and you know, go to Costa Rica and put my
feet up and write my book. I just I don't
have it. Or other authors might say, hey, I'm starting
out and I have a lot of financial constraints. What
(09:39):
are the alternatives for these authors who just don't feel
they can hop on a plane and fly to a retreat.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
Well, first, I would say there are a lot of
virtual writing retreats that can fill those gaps, So not
as many as in person, as far as I found
and I think it's starting to gain some more stams,
some more traction for people doing virtual writing retreats. But
if you can carve away that time, if you can,
(10:07):
you know, put the do not disturb sign on the door,
or even rent a local airbnb, you know, just for
a weekend, then I think a virtual writing retreat is
a great, a great way to do that. And also,
you know, you could start your own writing group, you
can get attend writing groups, you can be involved in that.
I mean, there's more ways than just a writing retreat
(10:30):
if you want to explore, you know, just connecting with
other authors and being part of that, being part of
that environment.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yeah, no, I love that. That makes perfect sense. Do
you have any memorable moments that you know from writing
retreats that you were on where you had I don't know,
aha moment or like something magical happened.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Well, okay, this is embarrassing, but I have not yet
gone on a writing retreat because one I started the
business and then I started the podcast.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
But I am going on one. I have one.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
I'm going in April, and actually it's in Ontario, so
I'm super excited. But I have interviewed almost one hundred
writing retreat leaders and also writers. Writers I don't have
as much luck getting on the show because they're a
little more shy to talk about themselves. But the writers
that have been on have just said transformative. I think
(11:27):
that's the one word I hear the most, and they
aren't expecting it. They're kind of expecting, Okay, I'll go
to this retreat that kind of helped me. I'll figure
out some writing stuff, maybe I'll figure out what my
character's doing. And then they come back and they're just like, Okay,
that was amazing. The connections they made, the writers they
(11:49):
talked to, the progress they made on their book, the breakthroughs,
just the writer's block that they've managed to just smash
has been amazing. People have started. I've interviewed two people
who have actually started kind of movements from their books,
their nonfiction books. One was the guy I was talking about,
(12:09):
Michael Niece. If I can say this, I don't know,
but he wrote a book in kind and that's the
one He drove to the airport with no idea, or
drove to the retreat with no idea and then flushed
it out. And then another woman wrote a very very
moving story about her own trauma and this writing retreat
(12:30):
she attended. The people were just amazing and helped her,
you know, get through it and write her story to
help other people. So it, yeah, it really is a
transformative experience.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
That's amazing. So I have to admit that before we
got on to record this, I was on the directory
looking at retreats and I just got so pulled in
and then I was a little bit late, So I
apologize for that. I'm social then, and you know, if
(13:05):
you're watching out there, you're listening out there. I promise
you you're going to start looking at these retreats and you're
going to get sucked right in, just like I did.
So go check it out. Find your perfect retreat at
Writing retreat directory dot com. It's in front of you
if you're watching, and it will be in the description
and the show notes if you are listening to the podcast.
(13:28):
Oh right, So I wanted to say that because I
was just like, I know, you can go on a
writing retreat, so you share them. You know, when we
were talking, you shared three valuable takeaways for aspiring authors
and and you know, and how they relate to retreats,
and it's clarifying your message, connecting with other authors, and
(13:50):
being open to new experiences. So how do you think
these three things? So, connecting with other authors and being
open to new experiences, these are very very specific to retreats, right,
These the things you can't necessarily get So can you
just elaborate a little bit more on these ideas so
(14:11):
people understand like what they're getting into.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
Sure, So, the way I like to talk about it
is we go through life. We go through our day.
It's routine, right, not much happens. Our brain's on autopilot.
We don't really have to be aware of our surroundings.
You know, we get up, we end up at work,
and we're thinking, how did we get here?
Speaker 2 (14:29):
I hope I can run a red light. But when
we're in new surroundings, when we're around different people, when
we're hearing different experiences, our brains have to pay attention, right,
our brains have to wake up. They're kind of scanning like, okay,
is this is new? What do I have to know?
What do I have to be aware of?
Speaker 3 (14:51):
You know, I do would say like danger or whatever,
because hopefully not at a writing retreat, but but our
brains do have to be more aware of what's going on.
Because all of this is new, they don't know how
to process it yet. So that is one of the
really great things about the writing retreat and how it
helps like fill our creative will and just get us
(15:11):
really opening up to new creative experiences and for new
ideas for our books. Right if you're in a different
environment and say, I don't know, you've gone to California,
You've never seen the mountains, and all of a sudden
you think, oh, maybe one of my characters could you know,
be a sky instructor, or we could go hiking in
the mountains.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
It just it gives you that visual that.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
You don't get from reading about mountains or reading about
an experience. You can now go back and visualize that
as you write it. So I just think that in
person experience and seeing different things, hearing from different people
just really lights our brains up and gives us more
to work with.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Right, So, if you're writing a book about Tuscany, do
a writing retreat in Tuscany.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Oh for sure, what excuse? Absolutely?
Speaker 1 (16:03):
So, I've gone to the website, I've clicked on find
a receipt a retreat. I've gone through the retreats and
I noticed, like you have retreats like you know, next April,
next May, next June. So I found this perfect retreat
for myself. I've signed up. Now what do I do?
What are the so once an author signs up for
a retreat, what are the next three steps they should
(16:27):
take to make that retreat a success for them?
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Well, a lot of the retreat leaders and hosts have
information on their website. I would say the first thing
to do is comb through that, make sure you understand
all of the details what they're offering, and sometimes they'll
have schedules. What you know with the planning schedule and
what you bring you if there's something special you want
to bring. And then if it's overseas from wherever you're at,
(16:54):
if it's in another country, start getting your travel documents together.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
And just you know, there's not a whole lot.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Because other than kind of the logistics, once you arrive,
that's when it'll start happening.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Because even if you go with.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
All of these preconceived notions, Oh, I'm going to outline this,
I'm going to write a thousand words. So many people
I've talked to, once they've gotten to the retreat, things
change their brain starts thinking of different things because.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Now we've decluttered.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
I know, I'm kind of going off from your original question,
but when your brain has decluttered, you're now thinking of nothing,
but you're writing, and all that stuff that's been like shoved.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
To the back is now pushing its way forward.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
So you think you're going to outline such and such
a book and your brain is like, no, we're going
to talk about this. So I would say, be prepared
for it not to go exactly as you've planned, and
to be flexible, be open minded.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
About where the retreat takes you and you're writing.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
I love that so it it reminds me that I
think about writing a book a little bit like having
a baby. Right when we're going to write a book,
we start reading books about writing books, and we start
buying all the things we need, the pens and the
papers and the notebooks and the this and the that,
so so you know, and then and then some wise
person comes along and says, yeah, you know, you know
(18:22):
that what you really need is so what's the answer
to that? What do people need to take on a retreat?
Speaker 3 (18:31):
Well, so much as that is different for everybody, but
I think, just again, to be open to it, to
have an idea what you want to write, even if
it's not perfect, and even ahead of it. So you know,
a lot of times we book a retreat out months
maybe even a year in advance, right because nobody, well
most people are not going to be like, oh, that
(18:53):
sounds like a great retreat in thirty days, I'm going
to quickly go.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
So I would say start preparing your writing. It'll block
down time off.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
Make it a priority, Start in your mind, making it
one of your priorities. And then when you're ready to
go to the retreats, it's like the cob webs are
kind of already shaken off.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
You're kind of primed for writing.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
Even if it's once a month, even if it's you know,
once a week, whatever, you can make time for your writing.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
I would say definitely do that.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Yeah, lovely, thank you so much. So I know people
can find your website at Writing retreat directory dot com.
Where can we find you your podcast? Just give us
a little bit more information so our listeners can connect
with you as well.
Speaker 3 (19:37):
Sure, so on Writing retreat directory dot com. I have
a podcast link in the menu and you can see
all my podcast episodes. And then I have links to
Apple and Spotify, so you can, you know, go follow
it on one of those and on Instagram. I'm writing
retreat directory and Facebook Writing retreat Directory. I'm sure I
am wonderful.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
So if you've been thinking about doing a writing retreat,
you should go do that. Lisa, thank you so much
for joining us today. I really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Thank you, Melodie, and it's been great to be here.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
Good, wonderful. I'm glad you think so. Yeah, I've had
so much fun. I have to say so thank you
for joining us on author Nation today. I hope this
conversation has provided you with some insights into what retreat
can really do for you and some inspirations, so you
go find one for you because they can be, as
(20:32):
Lisa said, you know, very different than a coaching or
editing or writing group experience. Remember to visit authornation dot
online to find your treasure trove of resources. And we
always greatly appreciate your feedback and your support. So if
you've enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a comment, write
us a review, and don't forget to share it with
(20:53):
an author you know who desperately needs to go on
a retreat your participation really helps us continue deliver these
insights and these tools to help you succeed. So keep writing,
keep creating, and keep continuing, keep sharing your unique stories
with the world.
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