Thursday, May 6, 2010

Need a Retreat?

 


Retreat and Refresh

Kathryn Haueisen Cashen's article, Create Your Own Mini Writing Retreat offers wonderful tips and encouragement for carving out time dedicated to writing and refreshing those creative juices. Start small, she says, for it isn't always about attending the week long, amenity packed retreat centers. Time can be had in the normal routine if we are determined to find it.

The article above is featured at the Writer's Digest site, and also is linked in a recent post by Jean Fischer at The Walrus and the Carpenter. The post is a must read if you need a good chuckle and some encouragement. Jean shares her amusing adventures while attempting a writing retreat. Her perseverance and ability to go with the flow are quite evident as she heroically tries to salvage the day. Does she succeed? Hop over and see!

So what about you? Have you taken a writing or other kind of retreat lately? Was it refreshing? Do you have any retreat tips to share?

Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings!



21 comments :

  1. Hi Karen, I long for retreats of any kind.

    I enjoy them. I like to get the focus I need for a period of time. I am blessed because my house is all to myself all day though. So I can do as I please, if I cannot go on a retreat.

    The link you gave was funny!

    Blessings and a big hug. xxx

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  2. Hello Karen....I haven't taken a writing retreat lately, but I'd like to! Actually, I keep a notebook with me at all times. Whenever I have a spare second....sitting in a dentist's or doctor's office, in a store parking lot, wherever, I'm always writing. But I think a retreat to a quiet, lovely place would be great. Thanks for your post. Sincerely, Susan

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  3. I went to our mom's group last night at the church and even that one night out did wonders for my outlook. Ah, a needed break.

    ~ Wendy

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  4. Hi Karen,
    I went to our church's annual ladies' retreat in April. It was nice and spiritually uplifting but to me, wasn't a "retreat." What I wouldn't give to be alone for a few days with just my Bible and my laptop.

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  5. Aaah, a retreat.
    Thankfully, I am blessed enough that sometimes just looking out my window, or stepping out into my yard gives me a mini-retreat.

    Have an hour every morning to write is like a retreat . . . but I think I definitely need to read that article.

    Thanks!

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  6. Wow! Should have read the article before my first comment!
    Perfect article, wonderful timing. Thank you Karen!

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  7. Karen:
    I have been waiting for the weather to become consistently warm. I printed out the original article from WD. Our church has a shelter house on its grounds. When we have a warm day and no forecasts of rain or storms, I will head over there with my word processor, my current writing craft book, a notebook and a bottle of water.

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  8. Alena,
    Nice to know that you've been stopping by, thanks! Feel free to stop by anytime:)

    Raymonde,
    Me too! A retreat about now would be very nice:) Sounds like you get some nice quiet time during the day too.

    Susan,
    I'm with you; I always have a pad and paper along wherever I go. I try to make the most of my time everywhere:)

    Thanks and blessings for stopping by,
    Karen

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  9. Wendy,
    Those are nice, and especially great if there's no time for a longer retreat. Glad you had a good time:)

    Carol,
    I hear you! Sounds like that would be a good thing:)

    Tyrean,
    What a blessing for you! I've long thought about getting up earlier to have more quiet time. Haven't done it yet:)

    Cecelia,
    I imagine that it would be warm enough for you soon. Sounds like a good plan; I should give it a try!

    Thanks and blessings to all of you,
    Karen

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  10. I just came back from a women's retreat through church. As one of the leaders, I wasn't able to fully immerse myself in the retreat feel, yet I still was able to let go of some of the world's pressures. That, for me, is the hardest part of the retreat. That stilling of my mind.

    A walk helps me when I'm on a retreat. Or even at home. Somehow leaving an environment and looking at nature brings peace to my heart.

    Rachel

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  11. will check out those links!

    I usually take a bit of a retreat from writing in the summer and do most of my reading. But August I am SO ready to write! LOL!!

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  12. Rachel,
    That's the hard part for me too, to shut my brain off and be still. I enjoy walks too, and find that they help me gain perspective. An added bonus is that they burn calories too:)

    Jennifer,
    That's a good idea. I usually do more writing in the summer since my online classes are on break then, but maybe I should take more time to read over the summer.

    Blessings to both of you. Have a wonderful weekend,
    Karen

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  13. None for me, but i am really looking forward to finishing this draft on my WIP. I always take a break after every draft with no guilt and it feels wonderful. I plan to get a lot of reading done and enjoy spring. :)

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  14. OK, first. love the picture! Unfortunately I'm writing in the car today. Not much of a retreat, but I'll take it.

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  15. Angela,
    Good plan. It's interesting to see what works for everyone, what they prefer, etc. I like getting projects out of the way and then taking a no guilt break too:)

    Anne,
    You know, sometimes it works best on the fly. You can get more done than you might think. I do a little of everything, writing in the car included!

    Blessings and happy weekend to both of you,
    Karen

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  16. I recently went on a women's retreat and LOVED it, but it was a fellowshippy kind of thing.

    Have never really been on a writer's retreat unless a conference counts, and to me, that DOES NOT count!

    Blessings for a great weekend!
    Patti

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  17. Hi Karen -

    I read Jean's article when it first came out. For anyone who's never been on her blogs, check them out. She's an amazing writer.

    I've never been on a writing retreat. Conferences are anything but a retreat. They're a cram-you-head-full-until-it-explodes learning experience, as well as a networking opportunity.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  18. Hi, Karen.

    Thanks for linking to my blog :) I'm still searching for that perfect writing spot. I'll keep my readers updated over at the Walrus and the Carpenter.

    Blessings.
    Jean

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  19. I would love to take a writing retreat! It would be wonderful to go away for a few days just laptop and me and enjoy some writing bliss, hmmm maybe I should!

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  20. I'll have to check this out. I'd love to attend a writing retreat, for now I just have to create my own in my little office.

    Happy Mother's Day!

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  21. Patti,
    I agree, writing conferences do not count as retreats. We're doing well to take everything in while there:)

    Susan R.,
    Jean is a great writer. I found out about her from you:) Like the way you phrased the way a conference plays out.

    Jean,
    Loved the way you shared your writing retreat day. It was great! Glad I had the opportunity to read and share it.

    Jen,
    Me too, and I've been seriously thinking about it, at least in some hourly stretches locally.

    Carla,
    I know what you mean. Good thing you are resourceful:)

    Thanks and blessings to you all,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!