10 REASONS WHY...
to go away with your writing group. In no particular order....
1. LIKE MINDED SOULS.
It is just great to be with a group of people who get what you do. They know why you scribble down ideas on napkins, or listen to conversations. Understand when you sit silently in contemplation of a plot line. Why you struggle to find the exact words to describe something, stare mesmerised at the sea. They understand because they do it too.
2. BOOKS.
It's always a chance to talk about books. What we are reading, what we heard was great, what we tried to get into and failed. Books are passed around. Are oohed and aahed over. Blurbs are read, storylines picked apart. We pass books on, borrow books, recommend books. There is always talk and chat about books.
3. WORKSHOPPING.
It's a chance to get those pieces read and commented on. Chewed over, talked about some more. Time for some one-on-one chats, for group discussions. Over the years at these retreats we have seen manuscripts that have gone on to be published picture books, chapter books...poems that have won big prizes....articles that have been published...novels that have been worked on till ready. It is fantastic to see creations grow before our eyes.
4. WALKING.
Every retreat we walk. Sometimes in groups, sometimes in duos, sometimes alone. It's a great chance to get out and about. We rug up, often wear beanies, hats and scarfs, raincoats as well (we usually go away in winter- brrr) It's a great chance to clear the cobwebs that sitting and writing has collected. Clears the mind, solve some problems. Reconnect with the world around us.
5. GREAT FOOD.
Don't know about your writing groups, but mine does food WELL. We will never ever starve. Not even the chance of us going hungry. We put on a stirling show of sustenance...quiches and curries, salads and hot pots, casseroles and one pot wonders, pizzas and lasagnes, dips and cheeses, biscuits and chocolate. Often a lot of chocolate. Who am I kidding, there is ALWAYS lots of chocolate.
6. QUIET TIMES.
Reading is encouraged. Those times when maybe some folks are walking, others are busily on their laptops working away...then it is ok to read. There is no feeling of guilt. No list of chores to be done. Things to attend to. No children to pick up after school, rushed to their netball/dance/job/after school activities. No husband/grandchildren/inlaws/outlaws/friends to worry about. Relaxing is encouraged.
7. GENERATING IDEAS.
So many discussions about our works in progress. We discuss characters and plots, time lines and language. Having that extra time we get the chance to really think about things, then throw them out there and see the response. Try to understand what will work, what won't and why not. I always come back refreshed but with a whole lot of new ideas brimming away.
8. DRINKIES.
Not only does chocolate come along to every retreat but so does the wine, the Baileys, the liquers, Midori and this time Gin. (Hello civilised world of G & T's). It's a chance to unwind but I love how our conversations flow. They become more philosophical and in-depth. We discuss many topics, from environmental concerns to local crimes, political gorillas to a great dhal recipe. We solve the world's problems most nights.
9. DO WHAT YOU WANT.
As mentioned before, there is no guilt. If you come along and want to write, you can simply write. Join us for meals then head back into your manuscript. If you want to workshop, then choose a time and we'll work on it. Either in a big group or one-on-one. If you want to read, do it. If you want to walk...go for it. If you want to have a nap...you can. There is no set rules or regulations. Some will write, some will potter, some will simply relax.
10. FUN.
OMG they are such fun! My group has been together for a long time. We are heading for 20 years and we have gone away just about every year. We have had houses where we had to share rooms, fought over top bunks, where the fuses kept blowing, where their was a bull to be rescued. We've waved farewell to folks on ferries, we've sung, we've done some interpretive dancing. We have laughed and talked. We have shared the good times, commiserated over the bad times. Let's be honest, if you didn't enjoy something you wouldn't keep doing it would you? And frankly I can't wait till the next time away.
Vicki
1. LIKE MINDED SOULS.
It is just great to be with a group of people who get what you do. They know why you scribble down ideas on napkins, or listen to conversations. Understand when you sit silently in contemplation of a plot line. Why you struggle to find the exact words to describe something, stare mesmerised at the sea. They understand because they do it too.
It's always a chance to talk about books. What we are reading, what we heard was great, what we tried to get into and failed. Books are passed around. Are oohed and aahed over. Blurbs are read, storylines picked apart. We pass books on, borrow books, recommend books. There is always talk and chat about books.
It's a chance to get those pieces read and commented on. Chewed over, talked about some more. Time for some one-on-one chats, for group discussions. Over the years at these retreats we have seen manuscripts that have gone on to be published picture books, chapter books...poems that have won big prizes....articles that have been published...novels that have been worked on till ready. It is fantastic to see creations grow before our eyes.
4. WALKING.
Every retreat we walk. Sometimes in groups, sometimes in duos, sometimes alone. It's a great chance to get out and about. We rug up, often wear beanies, hats and scarfs, raincoats as well (we usually go away in winter- brrr) It's a great chance to clear the cobwebs that sitting and writing has collected. Clears the mind, solve some problems. Reconnect with the world around us.
5. GREAT FOOD.
Don't know about your writing groups, but mine does food WELL. We will never ever starve. Not even the chance of us going hungry. We put on a stirling show of sustenance...quiches and curries, salads and hot pots, casseroles and one pot wonders, pizzas and lasagnes, dips and cheeses, biscuits and chocolate. Often a lot of chocolate. Who am I kidding, there is ALWAYS lots of chocolate.
Reading is encouraged. Those times when maybe some folks are walking, others are busily on their laptops working away...then it is ok to read. There is no feeling of guilt. No list of chores to be done. Things to attend to. No children to pick up after school, rushed to their netball/dance/job/after school activities. No husband/grandchildren/inlaws/outlaws/friends to worry about. Relaxing is encouraged.
So many discussions about our works in progress. We discuss characters and plots, time lines and language. Having that extra time we get the chance to really think about things, then throw them out there and see the response. Try to understand what will work, what won't and why not. I always come back refreshed but with a whole lot of new ideas brimming away.
8. DRINKIES.
Not only does chocolate come along to every retreat but so does the wine, the Baileys, the liquers, Midori and this time Gin. (Hello civilised world of G & T's). It's a chance to unwind but I love how our conversations flow. They become more philosophical and in-depth. We discuss many topics, from environmental concerns to local crimes, political gorillas to a great dhal recipe. We solve the world's problems most nights.
9. DO WHAT YOU WANT.
As mentioned before, there is no guilt. If you come along and want to write, you can simply write. Join us for meals then head back into your manuscript. If you want to workshop, then choose a time and we'll work on it. Either in a big group or one-on-one. If you want to read, do it. If you want to walk...go for it. If you want to have a nap...you can. There is no set rules or regulations. Some will write, some will potter, some will simply relax.
10. FUN.
OMG they are such fun! My group has been together for a long time. We are heading for 20 years and we have gone away just about every year. We have had houses where we had to share rooms, fought over top bunks, where the fuses kept blowing, where their was a bull to be rescued. We've waved farewell to folks on ferries, we've sung, we've done some interpretive dancing. We have laughed and talked. We have shared the good times, commiserated over the bad times. Let's be honest, if you didn't enjoy something you wouldn't keep doing it would you? And frankly I can't wait till the next time away.
Vicki
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