Writing Retreats – Wow, what a cool idea! As I explore this new possibility, I must ask – who has gone to writing retreats? Where? How did it go?

I love writer’s conferences, and in the past attended HNS, Surrey, and other local ones. I have attended many horse expos/clinics. Way, way back I went to Crop Til You Drop Scrapbooking get-a-ways, and were those fun, inspiring and did we get a lot of scrapbooking done! I just returned from an equestrian/research trip to Connemara Ireland, riding where my fictional characters did. But I have never indulged in a writer’s retreat…yet.

Doing research for this blog, I discovered the idea of DIY retreats, and these may be more accessible to some of us. For those of you not in the US, consider the US exotic, international travel, and DIY closer to your home. I was especially excited to find that Historical Fiction Author, Sarah Penner (the Lost Apothecary, The Amalfi Coast…) has a blog on DIY AND a writer’s retreat in France. Read on.

DIY from Historical Fiction Author, Sarah Penner:

https://www.sarahpenner.com/diy-writing-retreats

DIY from The Writer:

https://www.writermag.com/improve-your-writing/conferences-residencies-retreats/favorite-diy-writing-retreats/

Thank you, Jordan Rosenfeld, for pointing out this gem – so close to me as well –
Jordan Rosenfeld
“I am lucky to live 35 minutes from a retreat center called the Mount Madonna Center, in the Santa Cruz mountains of California. For just the cost of meals (less than $30 for breakfast/lunch), I can drive in and walk all the beautiful grounds, use the yoga room, eat food, hike, meditate, use their hot tub, and write. It is my saving grace.”

For an excellent location near you, go through the list above.

For More, this great DIY list has places across the USA.

https://www.th/egoodtrade.com/features/solo-writers-retreat By Kayti Christian, December 23, 2024

This blog has lots of ideas and suggestions, especially for the DIY or economy pack, and –
Wow, your own backyard… “A small writing retreat in your backyard can be just as meaningful, too — and these shorter trips often mean you can get away more often, say for a couple of weekends a year. I’ve booked guest houses in my city, house swapped with friends, and sent my partner away for the weekend so I could have the house to myself. Most recently, I stayed at Postcards Cabin (formerly Getaway) near Big Bear Lake for a short yet productive weekend of writing. It was perfect for inspiration and distraction-free work. They even have little cell phone boxes to lock away your devices and many of the locations (29 across the US) don’t have wifi so you can stay more focused. Whatever you decide, make it personal to you!”

There are many writer’s retreats around the globe, even though I haven’t attended these either – lets at least have a look at these four:

https://www.forewordretreats.com/retreats/ignite-the-spark-with-sarah-penner/ This one with Histfic author Sarah Penner, and

A view from the sauna in Chamonix, France

https://writeawayeurope.com/ and

Tuscany writing retreat with Write Away

https://bookretreats.com/s/other-retreats/writing-retreats and

https://www.internationalwritingretreats.com/upcoming-retreats

Sail boat, Lamu writing retreat with Sarah Bullen and International Writing Retreats

It is hard to imagine I would get much writing done in an exotic, international location! The lure of touring, seeing, and doing would interfere with me hunkering down to write – hell, I CAN write at home. I DO write at home. Those of us who write historical fiction NOT set in our hometowns should indulge ourselves, if we can, to explore our literary locations. But research and fact finding are elements of their own, and many of us would want to maximize our time collecting information, taking notes, making outlines, then return to the storytelling when we are home.

Again, I would love to hear of your experiences with writer’s retreats. Yay or nay? Plus, all the details: Where, when, how? We won’t know if you don’t share in the comments box or in comments below this post. Thank for reading and sharing.