This week RTW asks what your perfect writing retreat would be.
Mine would be a big country house - think Downton Abbey - or a castle like this one:
I'd take my writing group and we could all stay in different rooms, meet up to critique when we'd like or keep to ourselves writing if we wanted.
I'd have guest authors come and do a talk every day to inspire us. I'd want the YA writers who currently inspire me, like Beth Revis or Lauren Oliver, as well as authors who inspired me through my life generally in my writing like F Scott Fitzgerald. Possibly I wouldn't be able to get J.D.Salinger to come, but George Orwell might and Ray Bradbury would be a cert.
The question is: would we all come away with some sort of Princess / Royal / Medieval story if we stayed somewhere like this?
I am interested, btw, whether anyone has been on a retreat? Did you focus while you were there? What helps you focus at home? At home or on a retreat I'd need:
- Quiet (Can't work to music)
- Snacks
- To limit Facebook/Blog Time
- To set agreed 'writing time' with myself.
I may not have a castle, but I'll try the rest tonight! Which authors would you have over? Where would you go on a retreat?
We just got back from Scotland, and I saw a lot of amazing and totally inspiring castles. In my head I'm calling our trip the Castle, Cathedral, and Cemetery tour LOL. :) I think I could easily feel inspired writing in a castle, so long as there was a good internet connection and a fireplace because Scotland's cold!
ReplyDeleteThe Castle, Cathedral and Cemetery tour sounds fun ;) I completely agree it would have to be a warm castle with the internet or I'd feel lost ;)
DeleteThank you for stopping by.
Hmm authors to have over, the list would be quite quite long. And then there would be the language issue as they may not be able to talk to one another. Could be an interesting dinner though :D
ReplyDeleteGreat picture by the way!
I didn't think of the possibility of language issues you are right there.
DeleteThank you, when I say 'my' holiday snap it is probably more accurately my boyfriend's - if I had taken it I would have cut the roof off - but it was a nice hotel!
Ooh, I agree with Jaime - there would definitely need to be a solid internet connection and it couldn't be too drafty - I get cold typing fingers! :) ps. I'm following your blog now *waves*
ReplyDeleteThank you for following *waves back* and hee yes it would have to be nice and warm - a centrally heated castle!!
DeleteLove the castle!
ReplyDeleteThank you, it was a v. nice hotel inside :)
DeleteAh, I love Scotland, it is beautiful! A nice big fireplace would be a must in my room. Uuh, and a constant supply of hot chocolate! And since my current WIP's setting is medieval inspired it would be perfect for me! (Glad you decided to join RTW by the way ;))
ReplyDeleteScotland is the plan then ;)
DeleteThank you so much for the RTW hook up, it's fun!
I like your idea of a retreat: a big castle, multiple authors writing in their rooms and coming together for discussion/inspiration, guest speakers to inform and encourage... sign me up! :)
ReplyDeleteI am warming to the idea myself - I want to go to this ;)
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
We don't have any real castles here in New Zealand, but i think one would be great for a writing retreat!
ReplyDeleteCurrently, if i'm going somewhere specifically to write i like a view--whether it's the ocean or rolling farmland, i need something i can look at every so often.
New Zealand! It's so beautiful, I loved the landscape there, so lovely. You certainly have the view ;)
DeleteI agree it's good to have a view ;)
I don't think I could concentrate in a castle. There would be too much space to explore. Visit a castle on the other hand...
ReplyDeleteHee, well not being able to concentrate would be a problem ;) Visiting is good too! Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteOooh a castle. love that idea. Would need a roaring fire to let me fingers work.
ReplyDelete=)
Definitely agree on the roaring fire part!
DeleteThank you for visiting ;)
Scotland would be great! And thinking Downton Abbey always makes me happy. :)
ReplyDeleteDownton Abbey makes me happy too! :) Scotland it is!
DeleteThank you for visiting.
Sounds wonderful. I want to be in your critique group when you go back to Scotland! Very moody place! I'd so love to go!
ReplyDeleteI feel like arranging it, off to Scotland we go ;)
DeleteThank you for the comment.
A cottage by the sea! And Holly Black and Cassandra Clare!
ReplyDeleteOooh nice one, esp the author choices! I want to come to yours too ;)
DeleteWent skiing in Colorado, and left my laptop behind. The act of doing something so invigorating while tied down to nothing but my skis really motivated me once the trip was over.
ReplyDeleteDid the same thing in Paris. Think I wrote 5k words immediate after I visited Notre Dame.
That's really interesting, the inspiration when you returned from a fabulous trip. Especially places like Paris and Notre Dame. Trips can really set the mind free - and also help me realise what's important (my writing and how I must take time for it).
DeleteThank you for commenting!