I’ve been trying to get some book writing in, and it’s been tough. I’ve been busy with my business, being a mom, and life in general. So, I decided I needed to get away for my own writer’s retreat.
My son’s soccer team is sponsored by the Samoset Resort, and we were given a voucher for a special off-season rate. I took advantage and was able to get an oceanside hotel room for 24 hours dirt cheap.
Though I had a ton of work-related items on my to-do list, I decided I needed to ignore everything and just get away. And write.
I drove an hour and a half and headed to a coffee shop in Rockland first. I drank a cafe mocha, organized my thoughts and chapters, ate lunch and wrote.
Then, I headed to the hotel to check in. The resort was quiet and peaceful. I was greeted by the sound of the wind thrashing the ocean waves against the rocky coastline. The nice lady at the desk made sure I had a room with an ocean view and handed me my key.
I wondered if I wanted to stay in my room or find a quiet spot in the hotel to write. I spotted some comfy looking rocking chairs overlooking the water and a cozy fireplace, also with a water view. Would I want to stay in my room the whole time? It helps when you have a view like this.
I ended up taking my laptop to a little glass room over looking the pool ice rink and ocean. (It was hard to go anywhere without a good water view.)
And I wrote. And wrote. And wrote. And researched. And focused myself on the task at hand. I eventually made it back to my room and wrote some more. I ate a wonderful dinner of gnocchi with mushrooms, spinach and bacon and had a glass of wine in the hotel lounge. I talked to my kids and husband before they went to bed. And I wrote and researched some more.
My brain was full after a day of writing and focusing on my book. But then I woke up to this view of the sun rising over the ocean.
I have to admit that I was feeling a bit tired of writing by the next morning, but that view gave me some new inspiration. I would have loved to have gone to the spa that morning to relax and get back to writing later, but I had to check out by 11:00am.
So I started another chapter and wrote until it was time to leave. While I didn’t necessarily get as much completed as I intended (I never do, because I set my expectations too high), I did get a good chunk done. And I feel better about where I am at with the book and my proposal.
I really needed to get away and concentrate on writing. It was helpful and rejuvenating. Now that I’m back to reality, I hope I can still get in the necessary writing.
Have you ever gone on a writer’s retreat? Did it help your writing and focus?
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