Tips for a Low-Cost, Self-Guided Writing Retreat
Making Your Own Writer's Retreat is as Easy as Checking Into a Hotel
Dec 25, 2008
No matter where you live, there is probably a writer's retreat being offered nearby. Designed to help you work on your latest writing project in a focused, collaborative environment, they have great benefit for writers who need to overcome their writer's block or want to get some new ideas for a novel. However, with some writing retreats taking place over several weeks or charging hundreds of dollars, they might not be the best choice for some writers. The good news is, you can create your own writer's retreat for a fraction of the price, on your own terms, with a hotel room in your own town.
Pick a Quiet Hotel
Writer's retreats are all about the elimination of distraction. To this end, choose a hotel that is relatively quiet and far from street noise. Request a room that is far from any noisy sections like an ice machine or a lounge. Read reviews of hotels online to see if they are typically quiet - being caught in the middle of Spring Break won't help your writing career!
Consider a Larger Room
You're going to be spending quite a bit of time in your hotel room, planning your writing, editing your work and thinking things over. A larger room will give you space to move around and get your creative juices flowing. It will also give you room for breaks, preventing you from feeling trapped. A room with a kitchen can also help you save some money on food.
Stick to a Writing Schedule
Self-guided retreats do not have the benefit of other writers to brainstorm and share feedback with. Here, you are your own facilitator. Avoid distractions like TV or the internet. Create a schedule for your writing day, allowing time for meals and short breaks. Stick to this schedule, no matter how much or little progress you may be making with your story or novel. An effective writing schedule will include a variety of tasks, such as free writing, character sketches and dialogue development in addition to more straightforward work on your novel or story.
Plan your Meals
Cooking your own meals is often cheaper than eating in a restaurant, even on a writer's retreat. If you are unable to find a hotel room with a small kitchen, you can still find budget-friendly meals. Many hotel and motel rooms come with a microwave and fridge, so bring some food from home that doesn't require elaborate preparation. If you don't want to eat every meal in your room, look for nearby food courts, coffee shops or markets where you can find cheap food.
Take Periodic Breaks From Writing
It's important to get away from your desk for a while to give your mind and body a rest. Take a walk, get some coffee or even indulge in some television. Don't forget to keep your writing inspiration notebook close at hand, just in case.
Do-it-yourself writer's retreats may not have the structure and company of the more traditional variety, but they are a viable alternative for writers on a budget or with little time. All you need is a hotel room and some self-discipline to make your own self-guided writing retreat.
 |
