Writing on vacation, or Writing as vacation
I heard from a writer this week about her joy in finding a writing process that works for her on vacation. We have been working together for the past few months to help her turn her great idea for a book into something concrete that she can now write boldly onto the page.
We’ve gone through the 5-week process I work on with all my writers, pushing her to dig into challenges and foundational elements that let the book begin to speak for itself.
Along the way, what also happens - what she has discovered - is that committing to your book brings with it a commitment of time for your book.
I think this is really valuable and often overlooked.
A new way to form a writing habit
So many writers struggle to find “time to write,” which honestly makes sense. First of all, it’s different for everyone. I can’t tell you: get up 2 hours early every Tuesday and work on your book, or spend Saturdays in your office cranking out 5000 words. What works for one writer doesn’t work for the next.
Secondly, sometimes it’s just overwhelming “to sit down and write.’ That blank page is scary.
However, if you’re starting at the beginning of your writing process, or trying to get back in, having to work through actions and challenges about your book, rather than the actual pages, can be a soft, steady way to build up a new/new-again writing practice without all the pressure.
So this brings me back to this writer. She emails me from vacation to say she’s cruising along and has this process and enthusiasm (and a fabulous and supportive spouse).
And I immediately thought, Oh no, I’ve done something wrong!
You see, I’m a vociferous defender of vacation. I think Americans, in general, don’t take enough of it, don’t disengage long enough when they do, and generally miss out on the true value and escape a holiday can bring. So while I am a huge proponent of writing while the iron’s hot, I also think it’s important to put the (metaphorical) pen down and spend time off with family and friends.
As for this writer, she found so much joy in the process that it added to her holiday, and that is something wonderful and unexpected and worth celebrating.
Another writer then reached out to me and said that sometimes writing is vacation… and that gets me to the second point of this post…
What are you doing from October 30 to November 3?
I’m hosting three amazing women nonfiction writers in Athens, Greece this Fall for an iconic writing retreat experience. This is your chance to kickstart that book or kick off that revision. Want to join us?
As we barrel towards the end of 2023, there’s a lot of talk about salvaging what you didn’t get done so far this year. But that’s not how I see it.
This retreat is a chance for beginning.
Over five days in our private villa in the heart of Athens, you’ll have a chance to take an incredible first step in your writing journey.
You’ll start in the weeks before we leave with all the challenges I use in my 5-week foundational “Pre-Proposal” strategy work, share your answers, and we’ll use them to shape your journey when you arrive. Whether you are taking your book from idea to page, or taking the first step on that key revision, this process will illuminate new paths and inspire you to be a change-maker on the page.
In Athens, there will be several hours each day set aside to meet your writing goals, time to work 1:1 with me, the safe space to share your process and progress with other women impassioned to bring their story to life, as well as moments of cultural immersion, good food, and fabulous Classical inspiration.
One afternoon we’ll meet, tour the local markets with, and get a cooking lesson from a local food journalist, cookbook author, and all around amazing Athenian woman. These connections between us as women bringing strength and authority into the book stretch internationally.
You’ll also have the chance to tour the Acropolis and the Museum with me (in case you didn’t know this, in addition to being a book coach, I also happen to be a historian with a long-time passion for the Classical world)
After our amazing five days together, we’ll have a follow-up call in early 2024. Like I said, this is just the beginning!
The cost is $3500 (not including airfare). It’s a serious commitment to your book. It’s going to be an incredible experience. More information can be found here.
I know the time is short, but the time is now.
If you’re interested, message me or email me ASAP.
One spot is already claimed. Two are left.
Are you ready to join us?