A Change of Scenery

Happy Friday the 13th. Watch out for weirdos bearing knives. And chainsaws. And . . .

Listen. I haven't been to a conference in a very long time. I'm not likely to hit a conference for a very long time. Between Covid and cash, me traveling to conferences just isn't likely. So count me out on those. Networking with like-minded authors will have to happen some other way for the foreseeable future.

But writing retreats. Mmmmm. Let's chat about writing retreats. Here's my TLDR:

1. Writing retreats are best done solo.
2. Writing retreats are best done when you're the kind of person who needs a shot of the unfamiliar to jolt you - to put you in beginners mind where you wonder at all the things you've never seen before.
3. Writing retreats are *necessary* if you feel like you are in an environment in your home wherein you cannot fully inhabit your creative self without masking.

Here's my attempt to explain. Aka: The deep dive.

1. Writing retreats - go solo. Unless you are some titan of discipline, going on a writing retreat with other people means no writing will happen. I know going in when someone says 'let's go here and write' that what will actually happen will be lots and lots of talking, lots and lots of eating, and absolutely zero writing. We might talk about writing, but we won't actually put words on paper. The point of a writing retreat, for me, is to isolate long enough to begin hearing my own voice. Not everyone else's. Not my partner's. Not my parents'. Not my boss's. Not even my own set of 'shoulds' that I plague myself with on a daily basis. A retreat needs to present a place where I can exist without any responsibility to any other living thing other than myself for a few days. 

2. A retreat works best for me If there's something new and different to see or experience. A simple change of scenery can work magic. Going somewhere I don't know kicks me out of cognitive ruts and I can come to my stories with new vision. Beginners mind sees everything as if for the first time - without preconceived thoughts or ideas. That allows room for new approaches, if they're wanted.

3. We all wear masks. Most, we wear joyfully: parent, partner, friend, etc. Some are less joyful, but they are the sum of what helps make us acceptable to others. This is basic socialization and there's nothing wrong with acknowledging that we live in community with other humans and should probably strive to work and play well with others. The trouble comes from not having a safe place to unmask. Some of us are lucky enough to be partnered with someone who values who we are when we're not masking. Some of us aren't. Because masking accrues a cost, it can contribute to burn out. So retreats are a lovely option for people who need a safe place to take off all the masks and remember who they are in and of themselves - not who they are as defined by anyone else. This may not be a universal experience. It may be a spectrum thing. Take it if it resonates for you. 

So yes. I love writing retreats. I love wandering off into isolation, to exist in silence for a space of time, speaking only to order food, if I want. I love spending all that silence listening to what's going on inside, writing as fast as I can, uncovering whatever needs to be heard or seen or perceived.  I often pick up new stories on retreats. I hope they can be as fertile for you. 

TWISTED MAGIC and Writing Retreats

 First things first, if you preordered TWISTED MAGIC, you'll have gotten a notice that I've delayed the release. I know, I know - yet again. (Well, first time for this book, but I really thought I'd given myself enough time.) The new release date is November 28. That should give me plenty of breathing room. (Famous last words!) Seriously, I am at midpoint and on the downhill run. I just knew I couldn't have it completely done by October 26 (two weeks away!), which was the upload drop-dead date. 

Apologies. I know you all are waiting. But it's going to be awesome!

     

 

More on topic: this week's subject is writing retreats. We're asking each other if they work for us and, if so, in what way?

I'm pretty sure I suggested this topic because this continues to be a conundrum for me. I love the IDEA of writing retreats. When I see writer friends posting about being on retreats, I am invariably envious. I want to go! I want to be there, with the friends, in the pretty places, thinking and talking about writing all day. 

In truth, I have gone on very few writing retreats. The only one I can think of in recent years is when I went to Kauai almost a year ago and stayed in the gorgeous beachfront home of a friend along with three other writing companions. It was a fabulous group and we did have wonderful conversations. 

I got very little written. 

What I think it comes down to for me is that I'm fortunate enough to have a serene home life which is entirely built around enabling me to write as productively as possible. For many people, it seems that going on retreat gives them time and quiet away from the demands of home. For me? Being around people at a retreat is considerably "noisier" than my daily life. 

So, I've come to face that, for me, writing "retreats" are truly excursions. They aren't time away; they're time into. 

That's not necessarily a bad thing. As KAK noted on Monday, there can be other reasons to go. But I have to realize I'm not going to be maximizing wordcount.

Working It: Small Retreats & Big Conferences

 This Week's Topic: Writing Retreats -- Do They Work for Me?

I should start by clarifying that a writers' retreat--to me--is a small gathering, versus a conference, which has more attendees and a set program. Writing retreats are wonderful for the sake of camaraderie, catching up on industry scuttlebutt, analyzing emerging technologies, and refilling the creative well. The social aspects and the change of scenery are undoubtedly refreshing. The casual, low-stress, mutually-supportive atmosphere can be lovely, even for a hermit an introvert like me, whether I'm meeting new people or renewing acquaintances. Because it's an intimate gathering, there's less pressure to be "on," and the interactions seem more genuine. The retreats I prefer have one or two events/sessions planned per day while the rest of the time (outside of meals) is up to the attendees. We have the flexibility to work through plots or big-sky concepts in pairs or groups, or to be alone and write. 

Writing conferences require more energy from me, more public-persona performance, and more all-around investment. The educational opportunities are greater at a con than at a retreat--from collegiate-style coursework to peer-led workshops to official industry presentations. Conferences are also good for buckshot networking (the kind where you exchange business cards with a lot of people and then build select relationships later). Conferences do offer the chance to meet more peers in your niche, yet breaking through the cliques can be a challenge.

Now, I will admit there were (are?) a few thematic "academies" with a fixed program that seemed fun and useful, where I could learn a specific thing for say, a week or long weekend. The number of participants was kept small so they're akin to a retreat, but there's focused coursework. The Police Academy for Writers was one such thing (I don't know if it's still around ). Writing with Historical Accuracy for the XXXX Period, where you were hands-on with the clothes of the period, you ate the meals of the time, you learned the proper address for the social structure, you experienced the commoner side and the aristocratic side, etc. Getting Medieval: Armor to Sword Fights, where you got schooled in what's real and what's make-believe. I think a lot of the niche programs folded with the advent of COVID (alas), but for a time, there were some really neat ones out there that I kick myself for not attending.

Of Note: Be they retreats or conferences, I don't attend them with the intention of hitting wordcount goals, much less exceeding them. I can do that on my own time. I go because there's something specific I want from the event, and I'm clear with myself about what that is before I plop down money. 

As long as you're clear on what you want from the retreat or the conference, give it a go.  

But, maybe mask up to avoid Con Crud. 😷

The Year Ahead

 

This week's topic is Tell Us Your Future: What does your writing life look like for the upcoming year? (Events, signings, releases, etc.)

Book Releases: I have a new novel coming in August: book two in the Witch Walker trilogy, City of Ruin. I'm really excited for readers to continue Raina and Alexus's story. I also feel like I know more of what to expect this time with release frenzy, and to not schedule ANYTHING but promotional duties in August ;)

I'm also hoping to publish Silver Heart, my historical paranormal romance novella soon (2/15). It has a gorgeous new cover, and I'm expanding the story a little. This novella will act as a free lead magnet for The Witch Collector.

WIP's: I would LOVE to find time to work on a couple passion projects in 2022, though I still have A Gods' War (book three in the Witch Walker trilogy) to write. Still, I have three stories I'm itching to delve into. Two already have many chapters written, while the other is still stewing in my head, but I'm excited about all three.

Events/Signings/Cons/Writing Retreats: Honestly, I haven't gotten into the swing of things with public events yet. I have one book signing slated in Nashville for 2022, in June. That's UTOPiA Con. I'm still a little wary thanks to Covid. But, I might end up booking a few more signings, so we'll see. I think I'd like to focus more on 2023 events/signings/cons since I'll have the first two books of the trilogy out and the third will be on the way.

As for retreats, I sometimes head to the Smoky Mountains with a writing friend in the fall, and that might happen again this year. I also found a local retreat location, The Rockvale Writer's Colony here in Middle TN. They take applications for residencies, and it's a very affordable week or two away. I went there last year to finish The Witch Collector, and it was absolutely amazing. Having nothing else to think about except for writing was a game changer. It's a huge farm, with hiking trails and a big old house, along with separate cabins like The Granary. I hope to return this year. 

Author Endeavors:  I didn't expect, as an author, to need an Etsy store, but here we are ;) I get so many requests for signed books and swag, so I'm currently creating my store and hoping to have it stocked soon. It will be a work-in-progress as more items come in to the shop like art prints, magnetic bookmarks, candles, etc. And I'm excited. I love book swag so much, and knowing that readers want The Witch Collector swag is pretty epic.

Editor Projects: I've slowed down on editing tasks. I'm currently finishing the edit for On These Wicked Shores by Katherine Quinn, which releases in May. I have a couple other clients scheduled to turn in drafts for edits this year too, so we'll see how that goes!

I think that's it! It isn't much, but it will undoubtedly keep me extremely busy.

Are you attending any fun reader/bookish events this year? If you know of any in the Tennessee/mid-south area that I need to attend, let me know :)

For now, happy reading!

~ Charissa

Life goals: writing retreat in a castle

Last year at the RWA national convention in Orlando, I overheard some writers talking -- was it in a speech? Or was I just that creepy lurker in the lobby unintentionally overhearing everyone else’s conversations?! I really don’t recall -- about a retreat they’d been on together. They pooled funds from, like, ten writers and rented a castle in Ireland for three weeks.

A castle.

In Ireland.

For three weeks.

Also? It was haunted.

So whether I heard it legit, spied it, or made it up, none of that really matters because...

A castle.

In Ireland.

For three weeks.

With a ghost.

(And also he was probably a hot, angsty, Victorian ghost. Hush, you, this is my happy place!)

This is now filed in my brain under Life Goals. Who’s in?

Dreaming of Islands for A Reclusive Writer

A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're supposed to be writing...

Oh, wait, that's not how the song goes. But since today's topic is "dream environment for writing," that song is totally my earworm. I give it you, dear readers, because I'm generous like that.

So, you all know writers find all sorts of wonderful, weird, and wholly impractical websites as we're researching our scenes. Some of them we keep pinned in case we ever become as rich as those writer-characters on TV (I'm lookin' at you, Rick Castle).

Behold the glory and wonder that is Private Islands, Inc--Real Estate Listings of Islands for Sale.

My default search is the Islands of Ireland. This week, there's a place called Mermaid Isle. Mermaid Isle. Oh, come on, if that doesn't scream, "Fantasy Writers, come hither," I don't know what does.

See, while most people are looking for sun, warmth, beaches, and cabana boys, I'm after stormy days, surging seas, and total isolation.

I R a Recluse.

With grocery places delivering by drone and empty guest rooms to lay in the booze, the necessities are addressed. As long as the house stays warm and dry, I...I could be there tomorrow. Heck, judging the photos, it even comes with its own pet seal.

Or maybe it's a selkie.