Just me. Alone. With my research box, my computer, books, pens, and a great view. I am on fall break from teaching. I asked my husband for a getaway, and he couldn’t leave work. So, here I am in a comfy room with a view of a huge lake and nothing to do except what I want. Three nights and three days.
I’ve needed time like this to organize my thoughts and make some progress on my current writing project–Draw Me to Your Side, Revolutionary Faith Book Four. I’m so excited with high hopes and lofty ideas of progress.
Of course, I will use the scenery and perfect weather to motivate me. I will take at least two walks a day finding spots to write and think. I’ll nap or rest with a good book when I feel the need. Oh, how I look forward to the freshwater fish and local dishes.
What will my writer’s retreat involve? Here are some of my (flexible) plans.
- Organize my research box. This will take a few hours as I look through odd pieces of paper that at one time I thought important enough to jot down notes or save from odd resources.
- Reread the chapters I have written, comparing them to my outline, focusing on my characters’ personalities and physical appearances.
- Input my handwritten manuscript to my computer–I have about four chapters that haven’t been added to the 15,000 words already there.
- Write. Write. WRITE. I want to advance 4-5 chapters.
- Make a schedule for writing once I return home. My novel will be 90,000-100,000 words, so I need to write the end in the next two months. Well, happy week to you. I’m doing exactly what I want to for a few days. If you could, what type of retreat would you take all by yourself?
Your retreat sounds wonderful, exactly like you would enjoy. I would take a couple of books and a journal to write.