If you’re a writer looking to tackle your next big project, sometimes finding a distraction-free time and space to write is difficult. The daily responsibilities that pull at you can have you wanting to get away with dedicated time to write and work on your craft. That’s why writing retreats have become increasingly popular for new and seasoned authors looking to spend several days of devoted time solely focused on their projects. Author retreats can help hone your craft and offer a distraction-free, tranquil place to complete your writing work. Looking to plan an author’s retreat for yourself or a group? Here are some tips for planning a productive and rejuvenating writing retreat.
Set Goals
Before you plan your retreat, you’ll need to set goals for what you’d like to accomplish and how you’d like to structure your retreat. Do you want to collaborate with other authors and editors? Looking to complete an online course you’ve been meaning to take? Need a few days to finish the last chapters of your novel? Thinking about your retreat goals before getting involved in heavy planning will help you use your time wisely and allow you to determine the success of your retreat afterward. Write down your goals and keep them in a prominent place you’ll look at often during the retreat.
Pick a Venue
Once you know the goals of your retreat, it’s time to find the perfect location to host it. If your goal is to dive in deep and improve your writing skills, you may want to attend a writer’s conference, where you’ll hear from industry experts and build an in-person community of writers. If you need distraction-free writing time, pick a secluded retreat venue that allows you to enjoy nature but has everything you need to focus on your work.
Eliminate Distractions
When you are ready to focus on deep work, do everything you can to eliminate distractions. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb and silence unnecessary messages or calls. Discuss these intentions with your family beforehand so they know to keep contact to a minimum during your focused work time.
Use Time Blocking
An unstructured retreat day is a recipe for feeling overwhelmed and unproductive by the end of it. Create a daily itinerary for each day of your trip, even if it’s a solo retreat. Use a schedule that blocks specific hours for writing, outlining, editing, and other tasks like meals and recreational activities. Whether you use a digital calendar or a paper planner, it’s important to make a schedule and stick to it. This will reduce procrastination and distractions.
Take Breaks
Sometimes the best ideas come when you step away from your project and enjoy some time in nature. Sometimes, a change of scenery is all you need to foster creative thought! For this reason, take several breaks during your retreat. At Canterbury Conference Center in Oviedo, Florida, we have a wide variety of peaceful and creativity-stimulating activities you can enjoy during writing breaks on our 48-acre property. From taking a scenic walk to canoeing on Lake Gem, we have everything you need to relax and refresh.
Host your Writing Retreat at Canterbury Conference Center
We have a wide range of facilities that are perfect for planning your next writing retreat. Our facility can help you plan solo or group retreats, with room for up to 200 people to spend the day. We also have 14 hotel rooms on-site, perfect for solo retreaters. Whether you want solo solace or to bring together a community of local writers, Canterbury Conference Center can help you plan a successful writing retreat. Learn more about our services and facilities, then contact us today to start planning your retreat.
