I just got back from a retreat with a group of great writers in a creepy old hotel. There were times when I would have sworn I was the only one there, despite there being at least twelve other people in a twelve-room hotel. It was that quiet, because I couldn’t hear all the other keyboards clicking from where I was.
Why do you care? Okay, you might not, but you should. Because what I’m going to tell you is important. At least it is to me. Anyway, the thing is, what I really mean…yeah, maybe I have been listening to Sirius too much.
Four and a half days just writing. 35,000 words on the page for my newest Bad Carma book. Three meals a day in the companionship of great writers. Reading to/listening with – a bunch of fabulous writers. That’s what I got to enjoy at the retreat.
Not everyone can take four days off, even with a Monday holiday. It doesn’t have to be four days. But for me, it can’t be fifteen spare minutes. I know the butt in chair thing says you should write every spare moment every day. But I can’t. I’m a binge writer. I need to stay focused and when I do, I can write like crazy (35,000 words!). I have to be able to re-read my last couple of chapters, decide or know where I’m going from there and have no interruptions while I blast may way through the story.
If you’re like me, the guilt of not using all those tiny fifteen minute moments to write keeps worming itself way into your subconscious, and they shouldn’t. We don’t all write alike. Find the way that works best for you. For me, it’s at least four hours of clear time. No laundry, no cleaning, no food prep, no weeds calling my name. I can’t write when someone keeps asking me questions (sorry, dear, but I need you to shut the heck up!).
I know other people can pick up and write in short time frames. I read about them all the time. But I need to write like I need to write, and so do you. It’s important that you decide what that way is so you aren’t making excuses for not writing. If you need long blocks of time, how can you get them? Do you enjoy writing in coffee shops? Go there on a weekend. Do you need quiet? Can you reserve a space at the library? Do you have a friend with a nice sunroom they’d let you borrow when they’re out of town?
I have a friend with a VRBO house (she rents it out by the day, like AirBnB, only the whole house). I hope to talk a few writer friends into renting the 5 bedroom house for some long weekends to write. No chores. No husband. Hopefully no phones. But lots of comfy space with peace and quiet, snacks, writers to talk with during meals. And words on the paper. Lots and lots of words. Oh, and by the way, I didn’t get the most words – that was Cindi Myers. So it’s not just me. There are more of us out there than you hear about.
So find your method. If it’s fifteen minutes waiting to pick your kids up, great. If it’s twelve hours straight on a Saturday sitting in a corner of a quiet coffee shop or senior center, peachy. Just make the effort. Make those words happen. Seriously, just Write On!
Just an FYI and plug here… we’ve got three extra bedrooms down here we’re offering. (Four if we need to convert an office into a room) Queen beds, tons of quiet, pool, sunshine, and we totally understand writers! Bring a couple of friends, come write in Tucson. http://www.casacalienteretreat.com (I know that’s shameful)
I’m a binge writer too, Terri, so I understand. I’ve attended retreats a couple of times and found the experience exhilarating. Once I get in the zone, time passes without notice and the words flow. I just bought a package of ear plugs to give isolation at home a try (and to combat the noisy neighbor who pounds on his drums in his garage right under my office window), so I’ll let you know how that goes.
Oh, Shannon, you are so ON, girl. I’d love to do that. We will talk and find a way! Pat, hope the earplugs work. I’ve found that I need some sound – total silence makes me wonder what the kids are up to (and they’ve been out of the house for more than 10 yeas!) – so I usually have the TV on to a show or movie I’ve already seen so as not to get interested in it but still have a bit of “defocus” when I need to reboot my brain.
This is such a great blog, Terri! Thanks for sharing your retreat experience. So glad you mentioned your retreat home, Shannon! Sounds fantastic. I still have your card and the dream!