Writing Retreat Recap
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 
Here were my five writing retreat goals & how it all went down:
1) At least four hours of concentrated, uninterrupted creative writing time per day (in addition to my work schedule.)
I didn't keep exact time on this goal, but I can honestly say I only did it about 50-60% of the time. I received some tough love feedback while I was traveling, and I don't think I opened my laptop for two days as I was processing everything. So on some days, my creative writing time became rereading scenes or developing character arcs or outlining plot. Or spending time with family and friends. Let's just say that I went to Joann's Fabric three times and made seven pairs of baby shoes, four Kindle covers, and a diaper bag (um, another post for another day.) So overall, I'd say I accomplished this goal about half the time during my stay in Florida. Like a halfsie goal.
2) Work on the new WIP, writing at least 50,000 words in the designated 14 days.
Logically, that would mean I wrote 25,000 words per week. Yeah, not so much. Actually, to be honest, I was a big fat fail. I completed 20,000 words in the two-week period. It's hard to chalk up the failure to one specific thing, but here's what I will say – I'm outlining and planning this novel more so than any of my previous manuscripts. This WIP requires a lot of world-building, and I'm trying to succeed where my past stories have failed (too much sub-plot, unclear character motivation, a lull in pacing, etc etc etc.) So while I didn't push the narrative forward as far as I'd initially hoped, I think I'm building a stronger premise by having an idea about where everything's going. Generally I'm not an outliner... but maybe I *am* an outliner and just didn't know it before! So I'm trying to redirect myself to not focus too intently on word count. I'm just putting in the time – whether that means new writing, outlining ahead a few chapters, or editing past scenes – and my WIP is moving forward. That's progress I feel good about.
3) Walk/run at least three miles per day. Or supplement with something else active.
I tried hard to complete this goal every day. Not only am I pregnant and in need of daily exercise, but to me writing and physical activity go hand-in-hand. There were a few weather interferences but, for the most part, I was out walking forty-five minutes every evening. See? There's even proof! Sorta.
3) Work in at least three unique environments.
Mission accomplished. Over the course of the two weeks, I scribbled away at Panera Bread (twice), Cracker Barrel (don't judge me), the Ringling Museum of Art, and Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.
4) Take two inspiration days to fuel my creativity.
Activity #1: GeckoFest
Activity #2: Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
Activity #3: Siesta Key Beach
Activity #4: Ringling Museum of Art
5) Continue jotting down random notes, images, pictures in my moleskin.
Check! This links directly to goal #1, because on some days during my creative writing time, I would end up scribbling dialogue or drawing setting ideas out on the lanai when I was having difficulty getting past a glitch in my WIP.
Overall...... I feel pretty good about everything I accomplished during my first writing retreat. I didn't succeed at everything, but I did the best I could with my time/energy. So now that I'm back home in NYC, my new goal is to ensure that I'm setting aside creative time each and every single day. Maybe it won't always be writing. Some days it might be sewing or baking a cake or learning a new language or taking a class or visiting a museum or even drawing in a coloring book. But I'm inspired by the world around me, and by the doing, the experience, the people, the senses, so I'll keep plugging along and writing this WIP to the best of my ability. And that makes me feel good. :)
Reader Comments (2)
I think you did great! 20K words in 2 weeks is nothing to shake your head at. Your trip and retreat sounded really wonderful. :)
you should feel really good about your accomplishments! and cracker barrel rules.