Writing retreats

[Jo Zebedee]

I'm just wondering if anyone else has gone on a writing retreat?
I've recently formed a new group for those writing sff in Northern Ireland (watch out, world, we're coming at you!) and one of the first things we all wanted was a retreat and/or workshop. So we booked this place:

River Mill Writers' Retreat

and the weekend is going like this. Friday and Saturday night the mill is booked by 5 of us staying for a retreat (and I'll get to catch up with the lovely @Kerrybuchanan. On the Saturday, our numbers swell to 14 when we have a workshop day. I'm going to deliver a session on worldbuilding in the morning, and Paul Corcoran of Castrum Press, and a successful self publisher, is going to lead the afternoon on the publishing business. If it's successful, we're planning to do another in the autumn with a different five people getting to stay over.

It's worked out good value: £72 for those staying the two nights which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, and £12 for the workshop attendees which covers lunch and all the tea/coffee. And the rooms look gorgeous and the setting very tranquil. I'm really looking forward to chilling down and getting stuck into Inish Carraig 2 for a couple of days.

Piror to this, I've been on a residency to a literary summer school (I've applied for a bursary again this year, so cross everything) and found it really got me thinking and that some of the stuff I was exposed to really stuck with me.

What about anyone else? Ever been on one? Would you recommend it? If you haven't, is it something you'd like or do you hate the idea?

 

[Ihe]

Surrounded by other writers; away from distractions? That sounds amazing. Never been to one, but I fear that if I ever did, you'd need a small platoon to forcefully drag me away at the end of it!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I did look at one based in Co Kerry: cillrialaigartscentre.org - cillrialaigartscentre Resources and Information. - but I asked someone else who'd been and was told the bed lies in the loft under the thatch. I'm an arachnophobe. I figured I wouldn't get much writing done!
But we have several really nice places here that do retreats.

 

[Ihe]

I bet there are places there where you feel like a hobbit at Bag End. The closest I got to NI was the outskirts of Dublin for a couple of weeks, and that was pretty green and lush, so I assume NI is like that but colder?

 

[HareBrain]

I've been thinking of finding one for a while. Trouble is, I'd want it to be in gorgeous countryside so I'd be inspired, but then I'd spend all my time tiring myself out on long walks.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I've been thinking of finding one for a while. Trouble is, I'd want it to be in gorgeous countryside so I'd be inspired, but then I'd spend all my time tiring myself out on long walks.

I think that's okay. A lot of it is about finding the space to focus and walks give the chance to do that.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I bet there are places there where you feel like a hobbit at Bag End. The closest I got to NI was the outskirts of Dublin for a couple of weeks, and that was pretty green and lush, so I assume NI is like that but colder?

The North is harder. All crashing seas and basalt rock. But it's green and lush in places, too. To understand Ireland, you need to visit both parts of the land.

 

[Ihe]

For some reason I pictured the GoT Iron Isles just now. Btw, out of tangential curiosity, what inspired old Georgie to come up with that little slice of geographical paradise?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

For some reason I pictured the GoT Iron Isles just now. Btw, out of tangential curiosity, what inspired old Georgie to come up with that little slice of geographical paradise?

The Iron Isles are filmed just up the road from me

 

[CTRandall]

I've done a couple of retreats for composing music but I think they'll be similar to writing (one was a mixed group of composers and writers working on translations). I always found them really interesting for the people I met, really useful for the contacts made with other creative types, stimulating for the new ideas and insights into how other people work/what problems they encounter/how they deal with those problems and, most important, awesome for the amount of undistracted time I could give to working.

 

[janeoreilly]

I have, though not for a couple of years because my health has been too crappy and it's not been possible. There's a place in Devon that runs them. The biggest issue for me is always time and I find that having a weekend where someone does all the domestics and cooks me dinner and I can just work is brilliant.

 

[millymollymo]

Having been on one, writing retreats are a combination of what you put into them and the environment you are in, I think.
Working on a blog post about it all - still processing
What you have lined up sounds fun.

 

[Harpo]

I haven't been, I'll make do with staying at home with my view and the whisky & haggis here at the edge of the world.

Everyone's invited.

 

[AlexH]

I've been on three I think. Two were about 10 years ago, funded by the Arts Council (I think it was them). We got lovely accommodation, food and great tutors over the weekend all for about £50.

I went on a day retreat (coincidentally about half a mile from the above two) earlier this year. Targets were set at the start of each hour (not necessarily a word count), then we'd break for about 15 minutes including a quick discussion of the previous hour. It worked really well. I wrote two short stories, one which I've just been working on.

I highly recommend it. I keep meaning to book a week (or more) away for myself to concentrate on writing but I never get around to it. If any Chrons members would like to do a joint retreat I'd be up for that!

 

[Luiglin]

Peace and tranquility of a writers retreat would be useless for me. I need to be on the edge of distractions and noise in order to concentrate. For instance I've done by best chunk of writing recently sitting in the outside bar area of the Symphony Hall in Birmingham while my other half and my daughter watched a show. I find if I'm writing anywhere that's too quiet my concentration lapses as my imagination backfills the lack of external stimulation.

 

[sknox]

Writing retreats, but sometimes it also advances.

Sorry, what was the question?

Oh, yeah. There are any number of writing workshops over here in the colonies. Your prices are *extremely* reasonable. If you do it again, maybe I'll use it as an excuse to go to Ireland. After all, I'm headed to Scotland next week, so it seems only fair.

Anyway, I've not been to one, but I've talked with several people who have been to one over on the Oregon coast. They sing praises in unison. It's a helluva good idea and more power to you.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I've done a couple of retreats for composing music but I think they'll be similar to writing (one was a mixed group of composers and writers working on translations). I always found them really interesting for the people I met, really useful for the contacts made with other creative types, stimulating for the new ideas and insights into how other people work/what problems they encounter/how they deal with those problems and, most important, awesome for the amount of undistracted time I could give to working.

Yes - that's what I'm looking forward to. No distractions.

I have, though not for a couple of years because my health has been too crappy and it's not been possible. There's a place in Devon that runs them. The biggest issue for me is always time and I find that having a weekend where someone does all the domestics and cooks me dinner and I can just work is brilliant.

And, yes, no cooking. (I hope the health thing improves - sounds awful)

Having been on one, writing retreats are a combination of what you put into them and the environment you are in, I think.
Working on a blog post about it all - still processing
What you have lined up sounds fun.

I think it really will be fun. We will lose out on the writing time on the Saturday but get the chance to bond as a group through the workshop, so I think mostly it's a good thing. If you want a contribution to the blog, happy to do so after the weekend. A little side panel entry?

I haven't been, I'll make do with staying at home with my view and the whisky & haggis here at the edge of the world.

Everyone's invited.

Right-o. I shall bring some supplies of whiskey. I'll even spell it correctly.

I highly recommend it. I keep meaning to book a week (or more) away for myself to concentrate on writing but I never get around to it. If any Chrons members would like to do a joint retreat I'd be up for that!

Actually for any of the Chronners coming over to Ireland 2019 for the two cons, this might be a perfect thing between Worldcon and Eurocon. This place is about 25 miles from Belfast, along a main road and a block booking for 5 is what works out at £72, all food etc supplied. But you'd need 5 to get it for that. (Although the smaller room is around that rate anyway).

Peace and tranquility of a writers retreat would be useless for me. I need to be on the edge of distractions and noise in order to concentrate. For instance I've done by best chunk of writing recently sitting in the outside bar area of the Symphony Hall in Birmingham while my other half and my daughter watched a show. I find if I'm writing anywhere that's too quiet my concentration lapses as my imagination backfills the lack of external stimulation.

I have no need for additional distractions in my writing life.

Writing retreats, but sometimes it also advances.

Sorry, what was the question?

Oh, yeah. There are any number of writing workshops over here in the colonies. Your prices are *extremely* reasonable. If you do it again, maybe I'll use it as an excuse to go to Ireland. After all, I'm headed to Scotland next week, so it seems only fair.

Anyway, I've not been to one, but I've talked with several people who have been to one over on the Oregon coast. They sing praises in unison. It's a helluva good idea and more power to you.

The price is seriously, seriously good. This place has just opened, so they're looking to build their reputation - they might well go up in the future. The chap who runs it is very solicitious and I think we'll be well looked after!

 

[Mouse]

I quite like the idea but then I realise I don't actually like other people much and I don't think I'd be able to be catered for, what with being a vegetarian coeliac.

 

[Luiglin]

@Jo Zebedee i thrive on distractions while writing as it keeps my mind focused rather than letting my subconscious keep poking me with useless nuggets.

I blame my parents. Apparently the only way I could get to sleep as a child was to have the vacuum running in the hall outside my bedroom.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I quite like the idea but then I realise I don't actually like other people much and I don't think I'd be able to be catered for, what with being a vegetarian coeliac.

This place caters for most things it says (or allows you to bring your own food if not) - and, apart from when eating,the whole vibe is being on your own