Have you ever thought about a DIY writing retreat? You’ve probably imagined what it’d be like to join one of those idyllic writing retreats in the Tuscany hills while you swap stories with fellow writers. It’s a dream coming true. Except for the price tag, which makes you fall off your chair. Or you realise it’s smack-bang in your busiest week at work. Suddenly, the story you’ve been meaning to write remains just a dream, and you’re still stuck wondering “how to write a novel”. But what if I tell you that…
- There’s an easier way to plan a writing retreat and get you started on your novel.
- It can be as expensive as you’d like.
- In any place that inspires you.
- At any time that fits your schedule.
Yup, I’m talking about a DIY! Let me take a deep dive with you into what a writer’s retreat is (in my humble opinion) and how you can easily plan and prepare your own.
What is a DIY writing retreat?
A DIY writing retreat doesn’t have to be that fancy-ish escape in Tuscany. It’s time for you to carve out some time to sit down and dive into your story. It’s about being away from the noise, the constant invitations for nights out, and giving your brain a breather. No emails, or a pile of laundry screaming at you from the corner of the room. It’s just you, your notebook and your laptop in a place that draws the best out of you.
A retreat can be as simple as:
- Booking a cheap Airbnb for the weekend.
- Setting yourself an intention for what you want to achieve.
- Just permit yourself to shut out the world and take space to do that one thing you’re craving: writing stories.
Where to go on a writing retreat?
Google ‘writing retreat near me’ and you’ll find tons of options, ranging from yoga-inspired retreats to ones for women only. Or you could stumble upon some of the most stunning locations overlooking mountains from behind your desk. And although these options can be terrific, a DIY writers retreat is often the simplest way to get started on a novel. You might not even want a complete program with novel writing tips or the distractions of fellow writers. You want time to dwell on your story. What does help is being in an environment where you can feel at ease. This differs from person to person: where one writer needs absolute peace of mind with a daily stroll along a quiet beach, another is happy writing in bustling cafes in New York City.
So, the first question you ask yourself is: what do I need on a writer’s retreat? Am I the type of person who wants quiet or commotion? In what kind of environment do I thrive? Once you’ve established an idea of your writing setting and location, you can search for an accommodation that suits your needs. While the NYC writer is happy with a simple hotel room because they go out every day, the introverted writer might prefer a quiet cabin in nature, away from the masses. But honestly, it can also be as simple as your own study. I used to love my Christmas breaks to write big chunks of my novels. It could be a challenge not to overbook my social agenda, but I’ve managed to spend many years in a row feeling refreshed after immersing myself in my story world for two weeks.
What does a writing retreat usually cost?
One Google search shows me that prices are all over the place. From a few hundred bucks to four-digit numbers. I’ve seen retreats being sold for 3.000 American dollars. Let me tell you that, for this amount, I can plan an undisturbed DIY writing retreat for up to one or two months, including accommodation, food, yoga classes, travel, and all other activities.
While I’m blessed to live nomadically, moving from one DIY writers retreat to another all over the world, I have been able to try out different places, settings and accommodations to discover what works for me as an aspiring author. However, since I’ve quit my job and live from my savings, there’s only so much I can afford to spend on a writer’s retreat. I’ve dedicated a blog to the creation of writing spaces on your travels: DIY Writers retreat: Create a writing space on your creative adventures. For those of you who are still wondering, “How much does a writing retreat cost?” I can tell you, it can be as affordable as you make it.
What to do on a DIY writing retreat?
Well, the obvious answer is that you write. But I understand that setting up your own program can be daunting. This is one of the reasons so many people are inclined to book an all-inclusive writing retreat. It takes away the stress of organising it all. And you probably didn’t click on this blog to learn that all you need to do is sit down and write. Sure, a writing retreat can be a great way to get those first thoughts onto paper, or to finish up a draft by giving yourself that headspace. But it actually offers a lot more than just the writing space you’ve been looking for.
Personally, I’m not the type of writer who sits behind a laptop every day. I’m doing fine for a few days if I feel heaps of inspiration for writing. Although usually my reservoir drains after a couple of days, I grow restless. So, especially if I plan longer retreats (think 2-3 weeks), I need to go out, and do something else. While a city like New York never drew much writing out of me, I thrive in beachside towns or smaller cities. These places offer a chance to mingle with others and discover new things that help maintain my writing flow. Usually, I plan my days with 3-hour writing sessions in the morning and reserve the afternoon for going out and exploring. If you don’t know what to do, websites like Tripadvisor or GetYourGuide are invaluable. I often book a day trip to refresh my inspiration for writing.
What do you need to bring?
If you’re wondering what to take on a writing retreat, besides your laptop and notebook, the options are endless. But let me share with you a few of my favourite things you might not have thought about.
- Items that remind me of home to decorate my writing space (a small fake plant and a card from a friend). But it can also be a blanket, or your dog if you’d like. It’s all about getting comfy that sets the tone for your writing flow.
- My walking shoes: ideas and inspiration for writing come to me through movement. So being able to go on a long hike is essential to keep my flow going.
- A comfy pair of harem pants gifted by my best friend. It’s good to wear in any position, whether I’m behind my desk, curled up on a sofa, or cross-legged in the grass. And wearing it always makes me happy.
- Earplugs. Because seriously, sleep is life fuel for your writing focus! You have no idea how often I misjudged a quiet Airbnb and ended up lying wide awake by traffic noise or startle early in the morning by a noisy rooster.
- Be sure to bring the proper adapters when travelling abroad for your DIY writing retreat. Yes, I know it sounds obvious. Yet, it’s a common mistake, and it’s easy to make. I “wasted” my first few days in Australia by finding a MacBook adapter because my travel adapter couldn’t hold my big chunky Apple charger. A cord that is long enough to reach an electrical socket could solve a lot of annoyance, too.
- Another seemingly obvious one that often goes wrong is the Wi-Fi. I’ve stayed in many places situated in urban areas, where I never expected any problems. Yet, many times I’ve been struggling to get a proper connection, which is especially annoying when you’re doing research.
How to prepare for a DIY writing retreat?
There are two things I do to prepare for a writing retreat. First, I always check out the vibe of the place before I book it. And the second one is setting a goal or intention before the start. This is different for every person. My best friend, who is also an author,, often sets word counts for herself, which resulted in the fact that she’s published many novels. While this works well for her, goals with numbers personally freak me out, so I prefer working with frameworks. Depending on how much time I have, this could be writing the rough outline for a new novel, finishing up a draft or editing (part of) a manuscript. The most important thing is to take a moment beforehand to think about what you’d like to achieve, so that you’ll feel good about your progress once you head back home.
How to start writing a novel on a retreat?
Here’s what I do at the start of every DIY writing retreat: I don’t write! Yes, I know how ridiculous that must sound. But here’s the thing. Rushing into your writing straight away can ultimately lead to a delay. You crave a snack but realise you have no food, yet you don’t want to go out now that you’re finally writing. Or maybe the walls of your hotel are coming at you, and you want to take your laptop out to write somewhere else, but it takes hours scrolling through your phone to find a nice place. Perhaps you even drain the small cup of inspiration too quickly, leaving you feeling drained.
This is why I usually take a moment to get comfortable in my new space. To acclimatise, make it feel like my own and go out to explore the environment. Just try it. You might just run into a cute little café that you’ll remember later during the week; you can stock up on some food, or you might suddenly come up with a brilliant new idea during a beach stroll. By doing this, you give yourself the time and space to unwind from whatever you left behind. It can be highly effective first to detach yourself from a hectic life and slowly transition into a mindful mindset. By taking a step back first, I find that afterwards, I’m always much faster getting up to speed with my words and make progress writing my novels during a retreat.
So, here it is, an alternative way to have your writing retreat. Whether you book a trip to Bali or build a fort from bedsheets in your own living room, the point is: give yourself space to write without pooh-ha. You don’t need to plunder your bank account. All you need is you, your laptop and time. Now, pack those bags, and promise me one thing: let me know where the winds took you!