The Best DIY Writing Retreat
Plus TONS of writing resources!
*For writing links and resources, scroll down.*
My Recent Writing Retreat
In February I treated myself to a self-guided writing retreat at Good Contrivance Farm, a short distance from Baltimore, Maryland. The owners of the farm (two writing instructors) host workshops and free craft talks in the old schoolhouse on the property. They also rent two of the renovated buildings — the Hen House Cottage and the Barn Loft — to writers for an extremely reasonable rate. The only requirement? You must use your time there to work on writing.
I arrived to the Hen House Cottage on a Friday evening, and yes, it really used to be a hen house. It was adorable and snug and packed with ALL the books a Literary Person should read.
On Saturday morning I woke early to a world blanketed in snow. I took a short walk then settled in to write.
But a person can’t write all day. At least I can’t. Especially when I’m drafting. Writing something new is mentally exhausting, so after lunch I went for a walk down by the river (the sun had come out by then, melting much of the snow). In the late afternoon I read for several hours (what is this life??), and, after dinner, I watched a film that had similar themes to my novel-in-progress.
Sunday was a repeat of Saturday with the addition of yoga and a quick trip to Food Lion. Monday morning I headed back home.
All-in-all, it was lovely. I’m a busy mom and a town councilor — I needed the quiet alone time. So rarely am I able to rest. To sit and read during the daytime… it felt almost sinful. And I always think reading and walking count as working on writing.
However, to be honest, I got a little lonely and stir-crazy by Sunday evening. I suppose I could have driven into Baltimore for some culture and excitement, but I don’t like to drive when I don’t have to. Anyway, for my next writing getaway, I’d like to try an organized retreat with other writers, or do something similar to the self-directed writing retreat I took myself on last year (see below).
(Side note: I realize I am extremely privileged to be able afford going on yearly retreats, not to mention having a husband who can watch our children all weekend while I’m gone. Not everyone has this luxury. Luckily, there are fellowships and scholarships for writing retreats, but, unluckily, there’s a lot of competition for these spots, so if you can swing a DIY retreat, even if it’s just to your mom’s house (which I’ve also done), or a short stay at a motel, I recommend it.)
My Best DIY Writing Retreat
Good Contrivance Farm is wonderful, especially if you’re craving a quiet, peaceful place to read, write, and walk. But last year I did a DIY Writing Retreat in Washington, DC that was absolutely perfect. Here’s what I did…
I got an air bnb in a cute, walkable neighborhood (H Street/Capitol Hill) near an indie bookstore (Solid State Books), and lots of delicious restaurants. Then I scheduled one or two activities for each day. My activities were:
lunch with a friend (I used to live in DC, so I still have lots of friends there)
dinner with a friend
an event at Solid State Books (it was a reading with Dan Kois for his new novel)
Art Walk at the galleries on Dupont
It was perfect. I got up each morning and went for a walk, admiring all the old Capitol Hill row houses. Then I wrote and read, and just as I was getting lonely or bored it was time to go meet a friend or get some culture.
Point being: it’s hard to write all day, and going on a writing retreat doesn’t mean you have to spend the entire time writing. Write some, read some. Stare out the window. Linger over coffee or a good meal. Talk about books and writing with a friend. Go to an author event. Take a walk, watch a film. Recharge your creative battery, whatever that means for you.
If you spend at least a few hours a day writing, your brain might spend the rest of the time mulling over what you’ve written and coming up with more ideas. So really, you will be working on your writing the whole time!
DIY Writing Retreat How-To:
rent a place to stay for a few nights; you choose how close or far away
hopefully the place is near:
a library or bookstore
restaurants or a grocery store
safe, scenic places to walk
places to feed your creative brain: museum, theatre, art gallery, nature, cool architecture, indie shops, etc.
schedule one or two activities a day so you have some structure and a reason to get out (out of the house, out of your head). But don’t over-schedule! A little boredom is also good for the creative mind.
spend your alone-time writing, reading, walking, thinking, eating, meditating, watching a quality film or two, and simply recharging your creative mind.
Writing News & Resources:
For All Writers:
FREE video: Book Contracts 101, from The Authors Guild.
Free webinar from Pipeline Artists Symposium: "Unraveling the World of Comics and Graphic Novels" on March 13th
The Great Beta Reader Match Up from Bianca Marais open for registration from now until March 31.
If you’re a U.S. resident, you can join the Penguin Random House Reader’s Lounge and be part of a research community of book lovers. Read books, fill out surveys, and influence publishing decisions like cover designs, titles, topics, and more. Plus, win free books!
Black Fox Literary Magazine’s free submission window is open. Or make a donation to receive feedback and/or an expedited response. They also have a fairy tale remix contest with a deadline of Mar 31. Wanna know someone who was published long ago in Black Fox Lit? Yours truly!
The Writers Center website is a GREAT resource for finding grants, fellowships, residencies & retreats, publishers (who publish non-agented authors), and literary journal opportunities.
Short on time? The NYC Midnight 100-word Microfiction Challenge starts April 19.
Ready Chapter 1 is a community-powered platform connecting book publishers with undiscovered writers. Find peer critiques and more.
Writer’s Digest offers tons of online classes and workshops.
Blue Pencil Agency offers workshops, online events, and writing competitions.Check them out.
Check out all the many upcoming online craft workshops from Savvy Authors!
Writing Workshops also offers lots of online classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, and the business of writing.
Need a template for a nonfiction book proposal? Here’s one from Neon Literary!
The Women’s Fiction Writers Association has a TON of free writing workshops, critique groups, and webinars, plus upcoming mentorship opportunities.
Check out the meet-up group called Shut Up & Write. There are in-person chapters all over the country, as well online events.
The Writer’s Atelier has a free online writing community with virtual events.
The Yale Review is accepts pitches on a rolling basis. Seeking diverse, sharp, intelligent voices on a wide range of subjects, from literature, art, history, and politics to film, television, music, & more.
The folks at Cheshire Novel Prize host a FREE group on their private app called Writers Space where you can talk about writing, ask for BETA readers, and connect with other writers.
Ready to submit a story? Check out this list of 40 Free Writing Contests! And of course, check out NewPages for submission calls from literary magazines and journals.
Check out my list of writing and publishing resources — my very favorite books, websites, and podcasts on writing, publishing, and the creative life.
For KidLit Writers:
Learn from Newberry Award Winner Erin Estrada Kelly at this free webinar on March 18: Writing Flawed Characters.
Literary Rambles has information on kidlit agents and agent interviews.
From Bitsy Kemper’s blog: over 100 publishers accepting unsolicited picture book manuscripts. (Updated June 2023)
Check out this incredible list of upcoming events for KidLit writers!
Have you joined SCBWI (The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators)? They have events, conferences, and it’s a great way to find critique partners and beta readers, for everything from picture books to young adult novels.
For Querying Writers:
Savvy Authors Spring Pitch Fest starts March 13. Register now!
On March 19 The Witches of Pitches host Mark Tavani, former Penguin Random House editor turned literary agent, for a conversation about mind-melding with agents and editors.
Twitter pitch contests have mostly gone away or moved to other places, but the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Twitter Pitch contest #IWSGPit is happening on “X” on March 27.
Here’s a list of small publishers, most of which do not require agents.
Here’s a query letter template from agent Samantha Wekstein and lots of querying advice from agent Eric Smith.
Every Friday, Operation Awesome offers one free query critique through their #QueryFriday contest.
I occasionally choose a subscriber for a FREE submission package critique. Send me your query letter and the first two pages of your manuscript, and, if you’re the winner of the month, I will send you back in-depth feedback on both. Interested in receiving a critique? Fill out the form here.
Writing Conferences & Events:
FREE Virtual Conference from The Writer’s Workout will be March 15-17. Sign up now to stay in the loop!
Coming soon, March 23-26, The Perfect Your Process Summit with great talks from writers and writing instructors (like me!)
Live in the mid-Atlantic region and looking for a writing retreat get-away?
2024 Writing Retreats at ZigBone Farm (Just one hour from DC/Baltimore area in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains). MD residents can apply for a grant to help cover costs!
April 7-12: Spring Creative Writing with award-winning writer Diana Friedman. For all writers who want help getting started, shaping and refining existing work, as well as time to write and bond with other writers.
July 28 - Aug 2: Summer Novel Writing with award-winning author Tammy Greenwood. For writers at all stages of the journey.
The Writer’s Retreat at Good Contrivance Farm. Open year-round, the only requirement for this peaceful retreat north of Baltimore is that you use the time to work on your writing. The hen house cottage and barn loft normally book about two months in advance.
Thinking about going to a conference or applying for a residency? Check out the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences will held both online and in person this year. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents for $29 a piece. Check out the upcoming conferences:
North Carolina Writing Workshops: Charlotte March 8 / Raleigh March 9 (in person)
Alabama Writing Workshop (Birmingham): March 15, 2024 (in person)
Kansas City Writing Workshop: March 16, 2024 (in person)
Atlanta Writing Workshop: March 16, 2024 (in person)
Virginia Writing Workshop (Richmond): March 22. 2024 (in person)
Chesapeake Writing Workshop: March 23, 2024 (in person in Arlington, VA)
Writers Digest offers loads of virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.
Apply for the NYC Publishing Workshop, held April 4-7, 2024, and check out the other writing workshops, retreats, and events from Writing Workshops.
Save the date for the Washington Writers Conference, being held in Bethesda, MD May 3-4, 2024.
Save the date for the awesome Gaithersburg Book Festival (in the DC area): May 18, 2024.
For more writing conferences, check out this list or the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
unfortunately the link to the list of small publishers isn't working
This is inspirational! You've got me thinking . . . where oh where . . .