Writing Retreat - August 2019

Regular followers will know that there are occasions when I take myself away from the family home simply to write. Last week, I did just that. I didn't go far, simply to Birmingham city centre where I booked an apartment and set up camp. It might seem strange to some and a little decadent to others - to me, it is necessary.

I have a daily routine in which I constantly juggle my writing time with other aspects of my life and a day job so, to have a dedicated week alone to focus upon a specific idea is the most productive thing I can do. My intention was to submerge myself in a specific project and write without distraction, responsibility or interruption. And, this is what I did.

I realise some people may struggle being on their own for the entire time - which isn't a problem I have. I am a pretty solitary creature by nature.

I stocked the food cupboards, rearranged the apartment's furniture to suit my needs and literally lived, breathed and slept my project for seven whole days. I took my sketch pad and pencils providing a creative activity for my downtime and a reading book.

​It was heaven.

I managed to plan, research and write during my retreat time which now, that I'm home, becomes the backbone of my focus over the next few weeks.

I have previously attended writing retreats organised by authors: Alison May, Julie Cohen and Rowan Coleman which have been three day affairs with other writers - which have a structured routine of workshops, one to one appraisals and plenty of interaction with other authors. My solo retreat might seem extreme, it might sound indulgent but other writers may find they benefit from a little bit of 'author time' away from daily life.

My daily view during my solo writing retreat.