Your bang for buck mindset hit home. I write poetry, and I went into my two writing retreats with a specific “to-do” list of poems to draft and poems to edit. I can’t measure productivity by word count; I can spend upwards of 12 hours fine tuning a 300 word poem, so I have come away from retreats with only one publishable poem.
I go on a weekend yoga retreat every November. Last year I brought my WIP and, just like that, Yoga/Writing retreat. Going to do it again this year, same WIP, 3rd round of revisions. Namaste.
I'd only ever heard of 'writing retreats' as commercial events usually run by a published author or a coach etc. They're very structured with schedules and meals included, and also really expensive. Now it makes so much more sense with the amount of writing retreat booktube videos I see, I was like "How can they afford to so frequently be going on these $10k events". I need to try and befriend some more local writers to arrange something like this.
Yeah, there are expensive organized ones--I've not done those (so expensive!). But a lot of people I know arrange their own ones, where everything is "at cost" so you're only just splitting the house and the food :D
A few years ago some friends and I did a casual writing retreat and it was a blast. All these tips are so important. We were a little competitive so we made word sprints into a challenge. Putting people into teams so we could do group writing. It really made it pretty fun. I wouldn't put a prize at the end since it would sour the mood of the retreat, but it was a fun group thing and you got to know who the fast writers were and who were those who were more careful writers.
Thanks for this video! Some friends and I are planning a retreat now and this is all stuff I would have never thought about. I would have just shown up with zero plans or structure haha
I'm hoping to go on my first writing retreat next year for my 30th birthday so these are wonderful to hear!!! So glad you had a good time on your most recent retreat, they sound like so much fun.
I am trying to plan a retreat and this video has been both reassuring (in that I'm looking for the right stuff, planning out the correct things) and given me ideas. You're the best
I'm going on my first solo writing retreat over Labor Day weekend. These tips were super helpful and gave me some focus about what I hope to accomplish. Off topic... friends and family keep asking me where i plan to GO (like what state, city, site, etc.) and I'm like, noooo it ain't about that. I'm literally just renting a room at a hotel maybe 15 minutes from the house. I don't need to go far away; the point is to focus on my writing for a few days, not to travel about and be a tourist. Everyone keeps looking at me funny cuz they can't understand the appeal. They keep asking, "Why spend money on a hotel if you aren't going anywhere?" I'm going into my book, into the world of imagination, into the land I've created for the characters peopling my brain. Non-creatives just don't get it. That's okay. I'm geeked out over the whole thing!!! 3-Day Novel Contest, here I come! Woooot!
Learning to write when the vib is there (regardless of location) is a great ability!! Congrats!! The corner of a noisy restaurant on a Friday night---the top row of a rodeo---or driving using my recorder to capture "the story" as I pass amazing scenery (did a full book draft on a trip last fall--unfortunately, I was on such a roll I had to take several alternative roads to not break the momentum---added two hours to the trip--but well worth it) are mine. Every writer has a special place or places that speak to them...the key is to figure out what those are... no matter how unconventional. Thanks for sharing yours....Later, Leah
I've recently had some time off work due to poor health and although I realise I should have spent the whole time on writing, I am pretty proud of myself for doing something writing related every day this week so far. Whether it be character building or writing down the story, I still like I've been at least a little productive. The last thing I want is to be writing a scene and realise I have no idea how a character would react or find I've change their characterisation halfway through because I don't really know them. I've written bios and backstories for my main characters so I have a better idea as to why they would react/act a certain way or what their motivations are. I've still got a long way to go though. I liked the tip about word sprints, by the way, I hadn't thought of that so I'll try it when I'm struggling to get words down.
I go to a conference every year which I love. I learn a lot but I don’t get a lot of writing done. I think it would be amazing to go on a writing retreat.
This is such a great list. I’m doing the Unworkshop at the Highlights foundation this year and we set our own structure. I’m hoping to maximize my time so thanks for the ideas! ☺️
Last time I went on a writing retreat I ended up being the designated task master because I introduced my friends to the idea of sprints. Did wonders for my productivity.
I could use some of these tips in everyday writing. A large chunk of my writing while in school was done with a highlighter, sheets of scrap paper, and cellphone light at 3am.
Working full time, writing in the evenings, I had an average speed of about 2000 words per day. :) I don't think I'd like retreats like that. I'm extremely easily distracted by people, and I'd probably just end up talking a lot and then spending the week after recuperating from the exhaustion of being social. XD
Have you thought of hosting a writing retreat for your subscribers? You would be great at giving little writing talks during a retreat - and fun! I have never worked on a retreat but would volunteer to help you produce the event if you like!
Hey Alexa! I'm super interested in the idea of writing retreats. I think it would be a blast to get to know other authors and write together. My question is, where do you hear about upcoming retreats? Did you get invited to them personally, or is there some place people often share that they are having a writing retreat soon? I'm thinking of planning my own at some point, but I really don't have many writer friends who live close enough to me to be able to do anything like that.
I'm going on my first writing retreat that's being run through my creative writing class at uni. I'm not sure how it'll go. I might be wrong (I hope I'm wrong), but I don't get the impression many of them are hardcore writers. I'm worried that itll be more drinking (definitely not wine) than actual writing. But you never know!
It can be such a crap shoot, depending on who goes! And the majority of the crowd really does set the mood. Hopefully enough of them are there to actually write!
@@AlexaDonne even if there's only a few dedicated people, I'd be happy to make a little sub-group and we could motivate each other. Thank u for the video! Couldn't have come at a better time :)
You pay all that money for a retreat and you still have to cook? Cooking and cleaning get in the way of my writing. When I think of retreats I guess I'm thinking of all-inclusive resorts lol
Not gonna lie, I don't see the appeal of a writing retreat. Maybe it's my ambivertedness, but being around strangers for more than a day would tire me out. I feel like I would be more productive at home. I've watched videos of retreats here on RUclips, and I wonder why these people didn't just block out a week at home and dedicate that time to writing exclusively? I don't know. Just seems foreign to me.
i think there are a lot of writers who like the push of motivation and commitment that comes with a bunch of people all doing the same thing. and then there are other writers who can hold you accountable and push you. also also: for some people home life is always stressful and it might not be easy to get a few hours for a couple of days in a row that they can spend writing.
Honestly, the only reason I would go on a writing retreat would be to get to know other writers better. I can pretty much guarantee I wouldn't get as much work done with other people around. So it would have to be for the social aspect for me.
i wanted to go on a writing retreat but now that you've explained the writing blocks, it sounds like an ADHD nightmare, unless i was in hyperfocus i wouldn't last past 15-20 min and 20 min is pushing it and i bet my hyperfocus would kick in during breaks. i really like the concept but it sounds impossible
These are good tips. The only one that I don’t agree with is the bonus one. Why don’t people just cook for themselves and clean up after themselves? Or is it like one person cooks dinner/the meal for everyone and then someone else is picked to clean up?
Depends on the retreat, but the ones I've been to have been predicated on group meals--one or two people cooking the meal, and others cleaning. If you do prepare food for yourself, you should clean up after yourself, of course. Most things are communal, though--if you drink the last cup of coffee, make a new pot. If the dishwasher is clean, put away the dishes (or if full and dirty, run it). Just little things that make sharing space easier. But I've been on retreats where it was super obvious that ONE person who never prepared anything NOR ever cleaned. Pulling zero weight on meals/cleaning isn't cool, IMO. (and at home, alone, I am not a Clean Person lol. But on retreats? I am clean and helpful!)
Alexa Donne it would make sense to pitch in and do you share. I totally get that. I haven’t been on a retreat before but I don’t think I’d want to be the “dirty person that never helps out” that would suck.
the writer in me now wants to go on a group retreat but the extrovert in me screams in paranoia of not getting enough socialisation while everyone is busy minding their own stories.
Your bang for buck mindset hit home. I write poetry, and I went into my two writing retreats with a specific “to-do” list of poems to draft and poems to edit. I can’t measure productivity by word count; I can spend upwards of 12 hours fine tuning a 300 word poem, so I have come away from retreats with only one publishable poem.
I have no budget for any writing retreat so for the time being, I'm just gonna have some time out by myself :)
Still these tips are very helpful.
Well, I just deserve a budget for hearing about it for the first time. Or maybe not...
Alexa: I might murder someone.
Me: Sounds like an introvert problem.
Alexa: 03:28
My introvert clock is three days. Five is pretty good!
Solo writing retreats are my jam.
Watching this on the night before my 4 day retreat.
I go on a weekend yoga retreat every November. Last year I brought my WIP and, just like that, Yoga/Writing retreat. Going to do it again this year, same WIP, 3rd round of revisions. Namaste.
WIP?
WIP ? - working in progress??
I'd only ever heard of 'writing retreats' as commercial events usually run by a published author or a coach etc. They're very structured with schedules and meals included, and also really expensive. Now it makes so much more sense with the amount of writing retreat booktube videos I see, I was like "How can they afford to so frequently be going on these $10k events".
I need to try and befriend some more local writers to arrange something like this.
Yeah, there are expensive organized ones--I've not done those (so expensive!). But a lot of people I know arrange their own ones, where everything is "at cost" so you're only just splitting the house and the food :D
Go 'live' and that can be a retreat for us poor shut-ins. Can't wait!!
A few years ago some friends and I did a casual writing retreat and it was a blast. All these tips are so important. We were a little competitive so we made word sprints into a challenge. Putting people into teams so we could do group writing. It really made it pretty fun. I wouldn't put a prize at the end since it would sour the mood of the retreat, but it was a fun group thing and you got to know who the fast writers were and who were those who were more careful writers.
Thanks for this video! Some friends and I are planning a retreat now and this is all stuff I would have never thought about. I would have just shown up with zero plans or structure haha
Helping in the kitchen is a pro tip for any trip.
I'm hoping to go on my first writing retreat next year for my 30th birthday so these are wonderful to hear!!! So glad you had a good time on your most recent retreat, they sound like so much fun.
I am trying to plan a retreat and this video has been both reassuring (in that I'm looking for the right stuff, planning out the correct things) and given me ideas. You're the best
I rented your book from the library today. I’m excited to read it!
Rented? Checked out? I think it’s checked out 😂
Alexa! 💕Quick question!!! Is there going to be another round for author mentor match? :o
I loved the video! I would love to go on a writing retreat one day so to hear about how they are kind of structured is very helpful!
Yay, all the retreatS 💭✍️🎩👒🖌️🌌 Thanks again for the extra tips 🤎
I'm going on my first solo writing retreat over Labor Day weekend. These tips were super helpful and gave me some focus about what I hope to accomplish.
Off topic... friends and family keep asking me where i plan to GO (like what state, city, site, etc.) and I'm like, noooo it ain't about that. I'm literally just renting a room at a hotel maybe 15 minutes from the house. I don't need to go far away; the point is to focus on my writing for a few days, not to travel about and be a tourist. Everyone keeps looking at me funny cuz they can't understand the appeal. They keep asking, "Why spend money on a hotel if you aren't going anywhere?" I'm going into my book, into the world of imagination, into the land I've created for the characters peopling my brain. Non-creatives just don't get it. That's okay. I'm geeked out over the whole thing!!! 3-Day Novel Contest, here I come! Woooot!
I finished my book while I was on an overnight flight... does that count as a writing retreat?
ugh, i wish i could do that... flights just make me so damn sleepy.
Learning to write when the vib is there (regardless of location) is a great ability!! Congrats!! The corner of a noisy restaurant on a Friday night---the top row of a rodeo---or driving using my recorder to capture "the story" as I pass amazing scenery (did a full book draft on a trip last fall--unfortunately, I was on such a roll I had to take several alternative roads to not break the momentum---added two hours to the trip--but well worth it) are mine.
Every writer has a special place or places that speak to them...the key is to figure out what those are... no matter how unconventional.
Thanks for sharing yours....Later, Leah
Sounds beautiful.
Thank you!
I am going on my first writing retreat this month. So this seems to be the perfect time. Ours is a weekend because of work commitments.
I've recently had some time off work due to poor health and although I realise I should have spent the whole time on writing, I am pretty proud of myself for doing something writing related every day this week so far. Whether it be character building or writing down the story, I still like I've been at least a little productive. The last thing I want is to be writing a scene and realise I have no idea how a character would react or find I've change their characterisation halfway through because I don't really know them. I've written bios and backstories for my main characters so I have a better idea as to why they would react/act a certain way or what their motivations are. I've still got a long way to go though.
I liked the tip about word sprints, by the way, I hadn't thought of that so I'll try it when I'm struggling to get words down.
your videos are really helpful
I go to a conference every year which I love. I learn a lot but I don’t get a lot of writing done. I think it would be amazing to go on a writing retreat.
This is such a great list. I’m doing the Unworkshop at the Highlights foundation this year and we set our own structure. I’m hoping to maximize my time so thanks for the ideas! ☺️
Last time I went on a writing retreat I ended up being the designated task master because I introduced my friends to the idea of sprints. Did wonders for my productivity.
I LOOOOOVE writing retreats. Great video :-)
This video came at a perfect time! I’m doing a solo retreat next weekend! Thanks for the tips!
I could use some of these tips in everyday writing. A large chunk of my writing while in school was done with a highlighter, sheets of scrap paper, and cellphone light at 3am.
Hi Alexa! Can you do a future video on how to find a good writing retreat? How to avoid 'bad ones' or scams? Thanks!
Working full time, writing in the evenings, I had an average speed of about 2000 words per day. :) I don't think I'd like retreats like that. I'm extremely easily distracted by people, and I'd probably just end up talking a lot and then spending the week after recuperating from the exhaustion of being social. XD
Genuinely didnt know this was a thing that writers put together on their own. Cool! Going to need a Vlog next time 😉 thanks
Hi there what things do u write about fact/ fiction or both?
Where do you find group writing retreats? I've never been away as a writer on my own and I would love to see what its like!
Have you thought of hosting a writing retreat for your subscribers? You would be great at giving little writing talks during a retreat - and fun! I have never worked on a retreat but would volunteer to help you produce the event if you like!
Hey Alexa! I'm super interested in the idea of writing retreats. I think it would be a blast to get to know other authors and write together. My question is, where do you hear about upcoming retreats? Did you get invited to them personally, or is there some place people often share that they are having a writing retreat soon? I'm thinking of planning my own at some point, but I really don't have many writer friends who live close enough to me to be able to do anything like that.
I'm going on my first writing retreat that's being run through my creative writing class at uni. I'm not sure how it'll go. I might be wrong (I hope I'm wrong), but I don't get the impression many of them are hardcore writers. I'm worried that itll be more drinking (definitely not wine) than actual writing. But you never know!
It can be such a crap shoot, depending on who goes! And the majority of the crowd really does set the mood. Hopefully enough of them are there to actually write!
@@AlexaDonne even if there's only a few dedicated people, I'd be happy to make a little sub-group and we could motivate each other.
Thank u for the video! Couldn't have come at a better time :)
Can you talk about your revision process? How many revisions did you do before you felt ready?
Ooohh I wonder if there is any wirting retreats here in Brasil!!
my writing retreat is my math class
You pay all that money for a retreat and you still have to cook? Cooking and cleaning get in the way of my writing. When I think of retreats I guess I'm thinking of all-inclusive resorts lol
This is great information. I have a question how did you decide which retreats were worth your time.
I wanna go on a writing retreat but I don't have enough money for it
Write through the night in the early hours!...
What is your favourite book that you have written?
Not gonna lie, I don't see the appeal of a writing retreat. Maybe it's my ambivertedness, but being around strangers for more than a day would tire me out. I feel like I would be more productive at home. I've watched videos of retreats here on RUclips, and I wonder why these people didn't just block out a week at home and dedicate that time to writing exclusively? I don't know. Just seems foreign to me.
i think there are a lot of writers who like the push of motivation and commitment that comes with a bunch of people all doing the same thing. and then there are other writers who can hold you accountable and push you.
also also: for some people home life is always stressful and it might not be easy to get a few hours for a couple of days in a row that they can spend writing.
Honestly, the only reason I would go on a writing retreat would be to get to know other writers better. I can pretty much guarantee I wouldn't get as much work done with other people around. So it would have to be for the social aspect for me.
i wanted to go on a writing retreat but now that you've explained the writing blocks, it sounds like an ADHD nightmare, unless i was in hyperfocus i wouldn't last past 15-20 min and 20 min is pushing it and i bet my hyperfocus would kick in during breaks. i really like the concept but it sounds impossible
Hey I have a question
Will writing still be around in the future as a career
These are good tips. The only one that I don’t agree with is the bonus one. Why don’t people just cook for themselves and clean up after themselves? Or is it like one person cooks dinner/the meal for everyone and then someone else is picked to clean up?
Depends on the retreat, but the ones I've been to have been predicated on group meals--one or two people cooking the meal, and others cleaning. If you do prepare food for yourself, you should clean up after yourself, of course. Most things are communal, though--if you drink the last cup of coffee, make a new pot. If the dishwasher is clean, put away the dishes (or if full and dirty, run it). Just little things that make sharing space easier. But I've been on retreats where it was super obvious that ONE person who never prepared anything NOR ever cleaned. Pulling zero weight on meals/cleaning isn't cool, IMO. (and at home, alone, I am not a Clean Person lol. But on retreats? I am clean and helpful!)
Alexa Donne it would make sense to pitch in and do you share. I totally get that. I haven’t been on a retreat before but I don’t think I’d want to be the “dirty person that never helps out” that would suck.
the writer in me now wants to go on a group retreat but the extrovert in me screams in paranoia of not getting enough socialisation while everyone is busy minding their own stories.
Is the sound out of synch with the video or is it my phone?
It's just fine on my end.
@@rebekahdevall thanks. I ended up just listening to the sound anyway without looking at the screen 😊