The Retreat of Awesome!!!!
WHAT I'M READING
I took a break from reading during the Writers' Retreat so that I could focus solely on writing and, well you know, spending time with awesome writers!
I took a break from reading during the Writers' Retreat so that I could focus solely on writing and, well you know, spending time with awesome writers!
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
This whole week was dedicated to the Writers' Retreat (a.k.a Retreat of Awesome)!! We had some early snafus. First, the mother of all Snow-pocalypses decided to descend on the South. Which messed up just about every flight in the U.S. (Why does Everything go through Atlanta?) So it was very sad that a couple people couldn't make it. (Apparently, there were tears as suitcases were unpacked. I felt terrible about it.) My goal for next year...learn how to control the weather. (Or better yet, schedule the Retreat in March when there's less chance of a Snow-pocalypse!) (Stoooopid snow!)
But even though we were smaller in number, we had an absolutely fantastic time! It was so great to meet people in person that I've only talked to on Twitter. And we hit it off like a house on fire. I swear, I laughed so hard that my ribs and my cheeks hurt.
The highlights for me included:
- Kayaking at Robinson Preserve (of course I love kayaking, but it was so fun to share it with other writers!) Plus Suz had a baby Nurse Shark swim right up to her kayak. I think we've only seen two sharks in about 4,000 kayak trips so it was very cool.
- Late night beach swims, chilling in the pool and hot tubbing. (The more intrepid among us went night skinny dipping in the ocean. And no, there will be no pics posted of that! What happens at the Retreat stays at the Retreat. *grin*)
- Writer's Night at The Shore Restaurant. So fun! Laughed myself silly. (Sigfredo has promised to teach us all how to Salsa Dance next time. He and Evelisse are amazing!)
- Collecting shells at Point of Rocks. I think everyone's carry-ons were jam packed with seashells. ;)
- Pomegranate suckers. Jen brought a bag of these and they are soooo good!
WHAT I'M WRITING
I didn't actually set any numeric writing goals during the Writers' Retreat because I know myself and I figured I would spend more of my time chatting, laughing and otherwise engaged. So I was pleasantly surprised that I GOT SO MUCH WRITING DONE!! I think I topped almost 15K on my WIP which for me is really good. (Especially considering that there was kayaking and beach time and late night hot tubbing to distract me.) There was just so much good writerly energy. Talking about your book and having someone get really excited about it, works wonders. Plus, I was hung up on a plot point and how to make something work and the writerly Brain Trust totally helped me solve it.
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
The whole week was a huge inspiration for me. It's like I've had my batteries recharged.
I feel like I can tackle anything! Remind me that I said that in a few weeks when I'm feeling stuck again. :)
Also, if any of you out there are interested, I think we're going to have to do this again next year. (And I've learned my lesson and this time we'll try and avoid the Snow-pocalypse!) Let me know if you are interested. You can send me your email via my blog contact form and I'll make sure you're on the invite list.
I feel like I can tackle anything! Remind me that I said that in a few weeks when I'm feeling stuck again. :)
Also, if any of you out there are interested, I think we're going to have to do this again next year. (And I've learned my lesson and this time we'll try and avoid the Snow-pocalypse!) Let me know if you are interested. You can send me your email via my blog contact form and I'll make sure you're on the invite list.
Posts
I am SO interested in next year's writing retreat. Please let me know when you've decided on dates! It looks like you all had an amazing time, and how cool that you got so much writing done. Sounds like the perfect blend of productivity and fun!
ReplyDeleteNot to worry, you're already on the list! We might have to do a poll this time for when we should have it.
DeleteAnd it turned out to be the perfect blend of laugh yourself silly and type like a crazy person. Loved every minute of it! Hope you can come next year! :)
So glad the Retreat of Awesome was, well, AWESOME! And wow to all the writing you got done!
ReplyDeleteThanks! And I'm a little surprised by my productivity too. It was kind of like NaNo but with people...and a hot tub. :)
DeleteSo glad to hear the retreat went well despite the terrible weather you guys had over there. Yes, Kris, you absolutely must learn how to control the weather. It should be your number one goal in life from here on out :D
ReplyDeleteThanks! And I've added "Control the Weather" to my life goals list. ;)
DeleteSo cool that you got so much accomplished even while having a blast with fellow writers. I hope next year works out better for you weather-wise. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Colin! And you and me both on the weather factor. :)
DeleteThat sounds like an awesome retreat. I'd love to have a chance to do something like that one of these days, particularly on the seashore.
ReplyDeleteThanks! And yes, I think the seaside is on of the best places to get writerly inspiration. :)
DeleteI'm so happy your retreat was awesome, although it's really too bad a few people couldn't make it because of the snow. And 15k while kayaking and hot tubbing and visiting? That's amazing! I hope you feel refreshed for a good long time after your great weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! And I'm crossing my fingers that the productivity will last for at least a little bit. Life has a way of sucking away all my writing time though. Hope your week is lovely! :)
DeleteThe Retreat of Awesome appears to have lived up to its name. That looks like so much fun! Please, please, please, let me come next year.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
I was a blast! And we'd love to have you come next year! Consider yourself on the invite list. :)
DeleteOhhh a writing retreat. Sounds like you had a blast. I have been thinking about doing something similar. Going somewhere, maybe a beach and just writing.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
I'm with you, the beach is a fantastic place to write. Plus, if you take a break from writing you can gaze at all the cute surfers. ;)
DeleteIt was an EPIC event. <3 I loved it all and can't wait to do it again. Retreat of Awesome, indeed!
ReplyDeleteEPIC for sure!!! I had so much fun with you guys, I can't wait to do it again!!!! :)
DeleteWow, that writing retreat sounds amazing! Glad you had a fun and productive time! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was a ton of fun. I wish I could write like that every week! :)
DeleteIt sounds like your retreat was a blast!! That's so sad that snow prevented some people from going, but I'm glad you had a productive and inspiring time. If I'm free, I'd love to join you guys next year!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was a total blast! And it would be so fun if you could make it next year. I'll add you to the invite list! :)
DeleteWow - the retreat sounds like it was so much fun! And 15K! *cheers* *does cartwheels* How awesome!!! I'm glad you had a great time. Major kudos for putting the whole thing together. What an accomplishment! :) Have a great week, Kris!
ReplyDeleteThanks B! It was a ton of fun! And if I could just manage another 15K, I might have this book finished. :) Hope your week is amazing and that you get lots of cross country skiing in!
DeleteOh, that retreat sounds awesome! I'm glad you had such a great time despite the snafus. (That's really unfortunate that some weren't able to make it.) What a great way to recharge your writing batteries. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks! And yes, I really needed that battery recharge. I'm hoping I can live off all of the great writerly energy for a while. Hope you're feeling better and that you have a great week! :)
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