It’s Road Trip Wednesday Time!
This Week’s TopicDescribe your dream writing retreat. Where would you go? Who and what would you bring?Road Trip Song of the Week:
“Holocene” by Bon Iver
This is a timely topic, as I’ve been thinking about a writer’s retreat a lot in the past few days. Mainly, I’ve been pining away for one, since I can’t have one. No vacation days. That’s one of the downsides of switching jobs twice last year.
Well, dare to dream, right? So, here’s what I’d like for my retreat:
First and foremost, I would like my retreat to be somewhere wooded and beautiful. A cabin in the mountains, perhaps, with beautiful scenery to inspire me to write beautiful words. Something rustic, with no television. I’ll have my computer with me, and I’m assuming this cabin will not be so isolated that I won’t have internet access. That being said, I want some sort of parental lock on my internet access that will keep me from whiling away the hours on Twitter or Buzzfeed. I’m assuming my time at this retreat is limited, so I can’t afford to get distracted. Research-only internet, please.
And as secluded as I would like to be, I probably should have some other people around to help provide a little structure (and to keep me from going insane from lack of contact). If someone was available to help me set and keep goals, to be accountable for my writing, that would be very helpful. Fellow writers nearby to talk through ideas with me would be great.
I’ll need comfy clothes, an endless supply of tea, and headphones. I’m assuming there’s food as well.
Who would I want with me? Maybe my dog. He’s a good writing buddy, and he would keep me from getting scared at night. Any of my writer friends would be nice to have along, though I would probably get the most done with Kristen. She and I have written together at each others’ houses from time to time, and I’ve always gotten a lot accomplished.
If I can’t have a real retreat, how about a writing shed in the backyard? I remember salivating over this Re-Nest post about famous writers’ writing sheds and cabins. I would take any of those, but Roald Dahl’s is probably my favorite. I mean, it matches my house already!
Roald Dahl's adorable shed, from Re-Nest
My house. Notice the resemblance? Can I go ahead and just have Dahl's shed now? KTHXBAI.
Does it help that it was Dahl who got me into reading, way back in 3rd grade? I mean, I read before, of course, but it was the reading of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by my third-grade teacher that really made me hungry for books.
No?
Well, I’ll keep hoping. And at least I have a cozy room inside my house to write in, with a desk and huge window and tons of books and a comfy couch. That’s almost like a retreat. Except that it’s totally not. But it will do for now.
Someday, though, I’ll make it to a cabin in the woods.
Oh, and P.S.: Totally love that Bon Iver song. Though, we know that already from my 2011 Top Ten Albums list.
A cabin in the woods was one of the two I chose between. My version involved total isolation, but being around other writers can be a great motivator.
Oh, and you definitely need a Roald Dahl shed! It looks awesome.
I think I would be too scared in a cabin in the woods and wouldn’t get any writing done LOL Total chicken over here!
But f it fits your personality and makes you comfortable, it’s perfect for you, go for it!
Interesting that your house bears a resemblance to Dahl’s writing shed… a portent of future greatness, perhaps?
Sounds perfect to me. Isn’t dreaming fun.
I seriously want Roald Dahl’s little writing shed. How perfect is that?! One common theme today: solitude. Turns out none of us seem to like people around much lol
Great choice!
Yup. Cabin for me, too! Something about being surrounded in nature is so inspiring. And BTW, your house is totally adorable.
Being around other writers sounds very nice!
And can I please get on the list to get one of those sheds?
ZOMG, I love your Dahl-shed-replica-house!
Wow, I think I need a writing shed. Maybe not his (I love it, but it’s just not me)…maybe something more Ravenclaw-colored, haha.
Why have I never thought of a parental lock on all things ‘shiny’ on my computer?! Genius, pure genius!!
I love the the idea of a writing shed or writing tree house. If I had the space, I think I would build myself one or at least make my husband. :0)
Thanks all. I shall begin building a shed posthaste!
I didn’t even think of a lock on my internet access, but if I was in my writing retreat all by myself I would definately need one. I would get to the third hour of writing and facebook would start to call my name. And we should all get sheds.