I’ve been busy preparing for a writers’ retreat this weekend, preparing leftover meals for the family, baking my go-to oatmeal cookies (taking half, leaving half with the family to keep them in charity with me), getting a new laptop to replace the one that died a few years ago (my multi-draft writing takes a toll on technology), and generally getting psyched.
I always come out with fresh ideas and often a big jump in the wordcount for my mess-in-progress. However, I learned during the earlier retreats that success doesn’t come from pushing too hard. It’s a good idea to think about goals beforehand, but once there, I just trust the process and let myself enjoy it. I won’t check wordcount or the clock, or check if I’m on track. I just enjoy my friends, the lake and the story, wherever it goes. If I get stuck and the writing ceases to be fun, I switch gears. I go for a walk, I paddle on the lake, I meditate. If one of my friends isn’t busy, we may brainstorm. Or I might even take a nap! I go with the flow and something always works.
Ooh, that sounds nice.
My goals lately focus on sorting through boxes and dealing with the mess 20 years of renovations and building have made in addition to acquiring 3 more households worth of stuff. It is a success if I get rid of boxes and stuff. We may concentrate on the garage this weekend to my husband can get back into his shop.
Enjoy your retreat. A cabin on a lake is just where we would like to be.
Good luck with the sorting, Pat!
The retreat is going wonderfully so far despite chillier weather than usual. I got well into a new chapter yesterday and then cooked a Thai meal for my friends. This morning I saw a loon outside my window as I was enjoying the sunrise. Off to work now…
Can I come next time? It sounds wonderful.