The Value of a Writing Retreat

 

Have you ever been on a writer's retreat? I've been on eight, so there must be something that keeps bringing me back. Is it the time to write? The networking? The input and mentoring? The fun and fellowship? The pool? Well, it's all of those and more.

What is a Writer's Retreat?

A writer's retreat is a time when you can get away from the usual routine of your life, do some writing (surprise!), and gain encouragement from other writers. It can be as simple as a few people popping over to a friend's house for the day, or as grand as jetting off to a French chateau where you'll eat gourmet food and be mentored by a bestselling author. While they vary in content and structure, a retreat tends to have a more relaxed schedule than a conference. There is not as much specific input, and more time for writing and networking.

Why Go to a Writer's Retreat?

People go to writer's retreats with different goals and expectations. Some may lead very busy lives and relish the idea of having some designated time to actually work on their manuscripts. Others might look forward to the networking and friendship opportunities. Some may be 'stuck' or lacking inspiration, and need some advice or encouragement. Others might be seeking direction for their writing or looking forward to the opportunity to replenish their creative wells. And yes, I did go to the beach during one retreat at a friend's house, but I wrote more that week than I have ever written in my life. Really!

Don't Take My Word for It

I asked some writer friends if they could share a few words about what writer's retreats have meant to them. Here are some of their replies.

Adam Collings - The Tasmanian Omega Writer's Retreat at Poatina was a fantastic experience which re-invigorated my writing passion. There was a nice balance of great teaching and quiet time to write. Plus, the opportunity to meet some other local writers. As a massive introvert, meeting people can be challenging for me, but the shared interest in writing was really helpful in this regard. I'll definitely be back for the next one. 

 

Susan Barnes - I find the biggest benefit of going on a retreat is the networking. I don't live near my writing friends, and even when we do catch up, we don't necessarily talk specifically about writing. Going on a retreat provides an opportunity to talk about issues that are unique to writers. I find this so encouraging and inspiring, like I'm not alone on my writing journey and that others understand the struggle to find the time and motivation to write. Plus, I love to hear about the 'God moments' where writers tell stories of God giving them ideas or opportunities. 

 

Tamika Spaulding - I love attending retreats! To me, they are like a home away from home. From the moment I arrive till the moment I leave, I am in a place where I can just enjoy becoming the writing student of God that I long for every day. I love being surrounded by like-minded people and have found some of my closest and dearest friends at retreats. These retreats have also opened up new and unexpected writing opportunities and I have always received continued support in my writing endeavours long after the retreats have come to an end. 

 Come to Our Southeast Queensland Retreat

Are you thinking, 'Wow, those retreats sound great. If only I could go to one'? Well wonder no more, because there's still time to book for our retreat at Camp Somerset organised by the Toowoomba Chapter of Omega Writers. But get in quickly, because registrations close on 21 April 2023.

When?    5-7 May 2023 (from Fri 4.00 pm to Sun 12 noon)

Where?    The Lodge at Camp Somerset, 1180 Stanley Pocket Rd., Crossdale. It's roughly equal distance from both Brisbane and Toowoomba, set in beautiful surroundings. You can find out more about The Lodge and the location here.

What?     Bestselling Christian author Meredith Resce will show us how to bring our writing to life. There will also be a publishing panel with Meredith, publisher Rochelle Stephens from Wombat Books/Rhiza Press, and indie publisher, author and editor Jeanette O'Hagan. We are also offering critique/editing appointments with Meredith, Jeanette and yours truly (Nola Passmore/Nola Lorraine), as well as a limited number of publishing appointments with Rochelle. There will also be plenty of free time for writing, networking, brainstorming, hanging out in the pool or enjoying the beautiful surrounds.

Cost and Booking?  Remember to book no later than 21 April 2023 (sooner if possible). You can find out more information about the retreat, including costs and booking info, by going to the Omega Retreat link. The website is undergoing periodic maintenance at the moment. If you have trouble with that link, try going straight to the Booking Page. If you're still having trouble, try later in the day.

If you're a current financial member of Omega Writers, be sure to log into the Omega site first and then access your discount code from the Members Area.

Even though bookings don't close until 21 April 2023, it would really help us if you could book as soon as possible, as we have a few logistics to work through.

We're Ready to Welcome You

A big shoutout to our chief organiser Adele Jones, and the committee, for pulling this retreat together. Finally, let's hear from some of our Toowoomba team regarding what the retreat has meant to them.

Kirsten - I've always enjoyed the Writer's Retreat. It gives me a chance to retreat from the rush and hurry of life and focus on the beauty of writing with like-minded people and surrounded by some of the most amazing landscapes.

Pamela - The writer's retreat has provided opportunities for encouragement and learning and support. I have been touched by God every single retreat and I've seen his working and his ministry in my life and in the lives of others. 

Mazzy - The Toowoomba Omega Writers Retreat has been a tremendous source of inspiration and encouragement for me each and every time, even the one I attended with a broken wrist! It's great to flee the madding daily rush, commune with other writers ... nature ... God ... eliminate 400 odd occurrences of the word 'just' in an 80 000-word draft. I'm most disappointed I can't make it this year, but don't let that stop you from being blessed at Camp Somerset.

We're sorry Mazzy can't come this time, but the rest of Team Toowoomba will be there to say 'Howdy' and show you a rollicking time. Why not join us?

Do you know of any other upcoming retreats? If so, please add details in the comments. We'd also love to hear of your experiences at writing retreats.

Author Bio

Nola Lorraine has a passion for faith and social justice issues, and loves weaving words that inspire others with courage and hope. Her inspirational historical novel Scattered was published in 2020, and was one of three finalists in the 2021 CALEB Awards. She has also co-edited the Christian charity anthology Glimpses of Light with Jeanette O’Hagan. She has more than 150 short publications, including fiction, poetry, devotions, true stories, magazine articles and academic papers. She and her husband Tim also run a freelance writing and editing business, The Write Flourish. She’d love to connect with you through her website: www.nolalorraine.com.au

Keeping Your Conference Momentum by Nola Passmore

I've just been to a wonderful Christian writers' conference in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria.  It was so much fun catching up with old friends, making new ones, and gaining valuable input on everything from sense of place in fiction to firing your imagination to stretchercise for writers.

I came home pumped, but tired.  Travelling and a hectic conference program can zap your energy. Home and work tasks can also pile up while you're away and it's easy to slip back into your regular routine and forget about writing.

Here are a few tips to help you keep your conference momentum once you're home from a conference.

Refresh – Give yourself a bit of grace and time to relax and refresh when you first arrive back. Your family and friends will be waiting to see you and you’ll have things to do. However, don’t use this as an opportunity to procrastinate. The purpose of recharging your batteries is to keep you plugged in.

Review – Go over your conference notes and handouts and mark up the sections you want to apply in your writing life. If there were sessions you missed, the presenters might be willing to email a copy of their notes.

Write – Get back into your writing as soon as possible. The conference may have sparked an idea you can explore or you may have a new way of approaching something you’re already working on. It doesn’t have to be a major project, but the sooner you ‘get back in the saddle’ and write, the easier it will be to apply the lessons you’ve learned.

Follow-up – Did you have an editing appointment? Then use the editor’s suggestions to improve your work. Did a publisher ask you to send a proposal or manuscript? Send it as soon as you can so that he or she will remember what you discussed and will see you’re serious about your writing. However, only send your best work. If you need more time to edit it, then take that time first.

Network – Does the group that organised the conference have a web presence? ‘Like’ their page or join their Facebook group so that you can get updates and keep in touch with people you met at the conference. If they’re not on social media, why not contact other attendees and start up your own online group? It’s not hard to set up a group on Yahoo or Facebook. Local writers’ groups can also keep you motivated and provide an avenue for you to encourage others. If there are no groups in your area, maybe you could start one. Networking doesn’t have to stop when the conference ends.

So what are you waiting for? Put those conference lessons into practice and you’ll have a pile of manuscripts in no time. Just be sure to spend more time on your writing than on social media.  What are your tips for keeping your conference momentum?  I'd love to hear your suggestions.

And thank you to the organising committee for a wonderful conference.  You all did a fabulous job - Susan Barnes, Jenny Glazebrook, Heather Monro, Anne Brown and Deb Porter (and all of your helpers).

(N.B. An earlier version of this post appeared on Nola's blog: http://www.thewriteflourish.com.au/posts/17-keeping-your-conference-momentum

Nola Passmore is a freelance writer who has had more than 140 short pieces published, including devotionals, true stories, magazine articles, academic papers, poetry and short fiction.  She loves sharing what God has done in her life and encouraging others to do the same.  She and her husband Tim have their own freelance writing and editing business called The Write Flourish.  You can find her writing tips blog at their website:  http://www.thewriteflourish.com.au  

A few things I've learned from community...

I remember the first post I wrote for this blog. I was nervous (I think it may have been the first blog post I'd ever written) but I was also excited. This was something new on the Australian writing scene - a group of writers with a common goal and shared faith, writing together, striving together to build community. Until this blog (and it's accompanying Facebook group) appeared on the scene, writing faith inspired work felt incredibly lonely in Australia. There were writers, we knew each other existed somewhere, but struggling through the shelves of bookstores it was hard to locate books by artists from this side of the globe.

But once the online writing community started, it began to blossom. The situation for emerging and established faith writers is quite different now to what it was. Distance and isolation (be it due to location or situation) have been reduced and connections have been made possible. There are numerous online writers groups for people writing faith inspired work, each with it's unique angle and purpose, but all designed to support and encourage one another. There are also Yahoo groups, discussion groups and local voices growing in the blog-isphere.

The CALEB Conference emerged out of the Word Writers Fair - an event I've been privileged to attend twice, and will be attending again in the future. Online relationships were strengthened with discussions and workshops, and I believe the Australian faith inspired writing community is stronger now than it ever has been. The evidence is on in the book shelves of the Christian bookstores: Aussie books easier to find, more little Aussie symbols next to familiar books in catalogues, and authors standing by and supporting each other using the most powerful marketing strategy ever - WORD OF MOUTH.

For me, watching this growth of relationships and networking, both connected with this blog and the many, many sprawls beyond, it has been exceptionally encouraging. I feel less like a lonely little writer pushing against a tide of anonymity, more a part of a wider family. So as I write this post, the last CWD post from me for the time being, I want to say Thank You to the writers I've been privileged to meet and write with in this context. Here's some of what I've learned from you:

* Never give up. Even when it feels terribly hard and painfully lonely, there are other writers feeling exactly the same and when we push through, and keep going, it's worth it in the end.

* Aussie writers write good fiction! (Yep, I'll admit it, even I was dubious! But there are some local wordsmiths out there brave enough to tackle faith related themes and they are worth the search.)

* Networking pays off. It pays off in sales, but even more importantly in sharpening skills, promoting excellence and producing a more polished product.

* Stay true to your first love. Anyone reading back over the blog posts here will notice a common theme: writers striving against the pull of the world to write for the original Creator. It's not easy, it challenges the very motivations behind why we write, but many, many CWD posts echo the blessing received in this obedience.

* Stay connected. Whether it's here, or on other writing blogs, online groups, at writing conferences and get-togethers. It's fellowship; important, valuable and rich.

Penny Reeve is the author of more than 15 children's books including the 2013 CALEB Award Children's Category finalists More Than A Mouse and Wonderfully Madison. She recently returned from a two week trip to India with Stop the Traffik and is hoping to seek publication for her YA novel on the subject next year. For more information about Penny, or her books, visit  www.pennyreeve.com