Last month I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit with my writing friends Andrea Grigg (pictured, right) and Catherine Hudson (pictured, center) for a week long writing retreat.
The retreat was timed to coincide with Andrea’s birthday celebrations on the weekend. We stayed in Andrea’s home on the gorgeous Gold Coast in sunny Queensland. Despite a few frosty mornings that reminded me of home (yes, the temps do drop to low single digits Celsius in Queensland) it was lovely to travel north and escape the cold Canberra weather.
During Andrea’s birthday celebrations, we visited Q1 Skypoint Observation Deck in Surfers Paradise and enjoyed the stunning views of the long stretch of golden sand. The photo above is the view north toward Southport and Brisbane. The photo below is the view south toward Coolangatta and Byron Bay in New South Wales.
We each had a goal to work toward for our writing retreat. I had started a Christmas-themed novella that had evolved into a story that was too large for novella length. My plan was to dig deeper into the characters and back story and revise my outline to accommodate a longer book. For example, my original Chapter Two will become Chapter Four or Five. My new story plot is more complex than my original novella idea. This book will be the first book in a three book series and has the potential to spin off into two new series.
We had a pile of writing craft books to drawn on for inspiration and direction. The Emotional Wounds Thesaurus and Story Genius were the two main books I referenced during our retreat.
We spent many hours brainstorming each other’s stories. We’d work alone and get together to brainstorm, either in pairs or in a group. We built flexibility into our schedule and ate a healthy, mostly no-sugar diet on our work days.
Brainstorming in person works well for us because we often interrupt each other. We will have multiple ideas on the go, flying in different directions, and the ‘what if…?’ question is asked a lot. Online video calls just don’t have that immediate, real-time functionality for group conversations that you have when you’re all in a room together.
We used a whiteboard and different colors to create our story structure and map out the main turning points in our stories. The photo below, with the details blurred, is an example from one of our books-in-progress. My handwriting on whiteboards is a bit ordinary, but it’s readable and provides the big picture overview. This is an important part of my process. I use index cards to create the scene cards that fit within my story outline.
It wasn’t all work, and we allocated leisure time in our schedule. Andrea’s birthday was fun and her birthday celebrations included a lovely high tea with her family and friends in a beautiful garden setting.
We also attended a local theatre production of a play called ‘Writer’s Block’. The play was about an author who talked and interacted in real life with her romance characters who were invisible to other people. We were ‘that group’ of women who laughed out loud a lot more than everyone else. We understood many of the jokes and the additional story layers because we’re writers. A fun night out and a good reward for our hard work on our books.
Today, on top of your comments giving you entries in our Back to School Bash that’s ending soon, I’m giving away a $10 Amazon US Gift card to a reader who leaves a comment on this post.
Have you attended a retreat or spent time away with friends or colleagues for writing or a hobby/business venture? Have you visited Australia or Gold Coast? Or watched a play or movie depicting the crazy writing life of authors? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
Prizes galore in our Back-to-School Bash now on!
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
I have not yet attended a retreat or spent time away with friends or colleagues for writing or a hobby/business venture. I’m planing to go to Pariz to RAREPariz signing though (April, 2019). I have never visited Australia or Gold Coast either. But visiting Australia is on my bucket list.
Hi Narelle, so glad you were able to head north for some sun and warmth (and happy birthday to Andrea, I enjoy her books:) The Gold Coast is lovely- although I have to confess to preferring the quieter beaches of the Sunshine Coast:) It has been a few years now since we spent time there, mostly we head further north to family.
I have attended retreats- some for teachers, some for volunteers at our church and have thoroughly enjoyed each one. I always come away feeling challenged and refreshed.
Looking forward to reading your new story when it comes out,
Blessings:)
Oh my, that looks and sounds like an amazing retreat!! Thank you so much for sharing with all of us!!
Hi Narelle! Thanks for sharing about your Writer’s Retreat and pictures of the Gold Coast of Australia. While I probably will never to Australia, your pictures could have been take from the John Hancock Building in Chicago with its sandy beaches and its Magnificent Mile. Loved your brainstorming ideas. My journalism students would have brainstorming sessions before each newspaper edition and jot all our items down. I used mini white boards in my German and English classes, because it was a fun way to check homework and answers to questions. (Saved on paper.) As a teacher, I attended many conferences, which not only gave an opportunity to travel, but interact with other teachers, become refreshed as a person and teacher (change of scenery), and be challenged to try new teaching ideas. I had conferences in Chicago (Illinois), Nashville (Tennessee), Indianapolis (Indiana), and attended several World Language Conferences in Washington DC. As an high school American Lit teacher for 15 years, I have watched many biographical movies on famous American authors – Mark Twain is my favorite. Also like Ernest Heminway since he grew up in Chicago and spent his summers in Northern Michigan or the poet Carl Sandburg, who also lived in Chicago and spent his summers near my home in SW Michigan. Thanks for your generous giveaway. Best wishes. Looking forward to your new inspirations.
Beautiful pictures! I would love to see Australia. ?
No, I have not gone on a retreat. There were 2 that I considered but ended up pregnant both times! LOL so maybe when the kids get a little older. I have not travelled to either of those places, but would really love to! I can’t think of any movie and I don’t live anywhere near live shows that has portrayed an authors life, but that would be fun!
Hi Irma, Your 2019 trip sounds fun. I hope you’ll have a chance to visit Australia one day :)
Hi Wemble, yes, the warmer weather was nice. It’s a few years since I’ve visited the Sunshine Coast and it’s another great destination to visit in Queensland. I’m glad the retreats you’ve been on have been worthwhile. I’m plodding along with the new book. Blessings :)
Hi Paula, yes, it was a fabulous week! I’m glad you enjoyed hearing about it. :)
Hi Renate, Returning to Chicago for a second visit is on my travel bucket list. I was there 5 years ago for one night, the last stop on my way to the ACFW Conference in Indianapolis. My visit in Chicago wasn’t long enough to see much of the city or the surrounding area. Brainstorming is so much fun! I’m glad you had a chance to travel for your teaching conferences. :)
Hi Susanne, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos, and I hope you’ll have an opportunity to visit Australia. :)
No I have not gone on a writing retreat. It sounds like a fun time. Australia is on my bucket list. thank you
Hi Katie, Caring responsibilities for small children do limit our ability to get away. The play was a lot of fun to watch with writer friends. :)
Hi Kelley, The writers retreat was a lot of fun. I hope you’ll have a chance to visit Australia and see my beautiful country. :)
I’m not sure I’d be a good retreater! When I get to be with writer friends for a few days, we tend to do more chatting and hiking than work. If I’m in a new place, I want to experience it, not hole up to work! ;) I can do that at home.
Australia and NZ are on my bucket list, but England ranks higher. Sorry! LOL
What a wonderful post. Looks like you had a blast. I would love to go to Australia some day. I have been to a quilting retreat with our church. That was a lot of fun, like you it was sewing and fun things to do. I have been on a church retreat to help brain storm names for our children’s ministry. Again we had a lot of time to brain storm and a lot of time for games and just fun.
Thank you, Narelle :)
Hey Narelle, I love writing friends. They get me like no one else does. Your retreat sounds way too fun. Especially the play.
I had to attend a 2 day work retreat to bring us all closer together. I enjoyed it.
When we lived in Hong Kong, a flight to Australia was the same length as a flight back home to the US. Even though we’ve got friends and family in Australia, we always chose to make the long flight back to the US to see our parents :-)
That play sounds like great fun.
I have attended a few writing conferences but no retreat.
Glad you had fun,productive time.
Your week sounds divine. I have not traveled to Australia but I’d do it in a heart beat!
I have had a few personal retreats where I’d always end up journaling most days but not an actual writing retreat.
I live on a ranchette in a high desert region in a valley of fruit orchards and Cattle ranches. I’m also surrounded by people like me who live on small ranches and keep horses.
It’s an ideal place to live and write. I don’t feel the need to go anywhere else.
That’s not to say I wouldn’t gladly go see the world if I didn’t have so many depending on me here!
Thank you so much for sharing looks awesome Thanks for the chance to win!
It sounds like you had a great, productive time with your friends. The tea looks like it was a fun experience.
Glad you had fun!
I’ve attended several ladies retreats for church groups….always a fun time!
Never visited Australia and don’t remember watching any plays about the crazy life of writers. I have, however, attended different retreats through church and other Christian organizations that have refreshed and energized me.
For years, I attended a week retreat just for Church Librarians.
We were in classes all day but at night we had Chapel, Book Swaps, and all kinds of sweet goodies to take back to our room.
I miss those days but I learned a lot and didn’t have to cook a single meal.
No, I’ve never been able to do anything like that. Looks like a fun time.
I’ve never been on a retreat but it sounds like alot of fun. Thanks for your great generosity.
Hi from NZ Narelle!
It sounds like a wonderful time. Reading of what you ladies got up to is very encouraging. One day I’ll do something similar, but for now: accounts and housework :)
Only book related one was a retreat in America with a couple of authors and a few readers where we got together and had some fun.
I have been to a couple of Scrapbooking retreats when I was a Creative Memories Consultant. It was fun to work on my albums while also getting ideas of what others were doing so I could show my ladies. I also got ideas for myself and made some items to use later. Down side was sleeping in a room with people who snore hence my being up late with the ones still scrapping at 3am in the morning.
Wow! What a beautiful place!
I haven’t visited Australia or Gold Coast but would love to one day ?
But I have attended a retreat; actually, we organize annual retreat for Sunday School directors…we spent three days in Lake Tahoe during February. We relax and share our experiences in the ministry we share.
The play, Writer’s Block, sounds so funny! I’m glad you guys had a good time. I’ve watched a few Hallmark movies with writer heroines – those are entertaining to watch!
Hi Valerie, It does require self-discipline to work and not chat the whole time. A week long retreat was good because you can schedule in social activities. A weekend retreat would be harder because it’s a shorter time frame to fit everything in. I will forgive you for preferring to visit the UK, lol :)
Hi Lori, A quilting retreat sounds like a lot of fun. I agree, it’s important to schedule in leisure time. I hope you’ll have a chance to visit Australia. :)
You’re very welcome, Irma :)
Hi Shannon, yes, our writing friends understand our quirks and don’t think it’s crazy to have characters talking to you. Watching the play was like having a mirror placed in front of me, and I realized how our writing lives are unique and different, lol. :)
Hi Lori, I’m glad you enjoyed your work retreat. :)
Hi Margaret, yes, family is often the deciding reason, especially if we didn’t live close up our immediate family. The flights from the US to Australia are very long. In an ideal world, I’d break the trip with a stopover in Hawaii or Fiji. :)
Hi Amy, yes, the play was a lot of fun. :)
Hi Linda, I like attending writing conferences, although I haven’t been to a US conference since ACFW in 2015. A writing retreat, in a smaller setting, is more practical in terms of focusing on your own writing project. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed doing Immersions with Margie Lawson, and I have an Immersion booked in for later this year. Retreats can also be easier and less stressful for introverts. The larger conferences are very busy and can be an intimidating experience for attendees for a whole bunch of reasons.
Hi Dalyn, Your ranch sounds lovely and a great place to have peace and quiet and focus on your writing. I have a day job that has peaks and troughs in terms of workload. Right now we’re in the middle of a major project, and I’m late in replying to the blog post comments. By the time I arrived home from work at 9.30pm last night, I was too tired to think. Yes, I dream about escaping to an idyllic, quieter place to write. :)
Hi Sarah, you’re very welcome. :)
Hi Jessica, I love High Teas! They are so much fun, and my husband and I enjoy the occasional High Tea date. :)
Hi Jackie, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed your ladies retreats. :)
Hi MJSH, I’m glad your retreats have been a time of refreshment. :)
Hi Janet, yes, not having to cook every meal is a great benefit. We all shared in the food preparation, and it was fun to cook together. :)
Hi Lucy, yes, it was lots of fun. :)
Hi Linda, you’re very welcome. :)
Hi Jenny, It’s always great to chat with our blog readers from downunder! I hope you’ll have an opportunity to do a writers retreat. :)
Hi Jenny, A combined retreat for writers and readers would be fun. I was spoilt and had a bedroom to myself at Andrea’s. Earplugs are an essential to pack if you’re sharing a room. I’m a night owl and, in the US, I’m awake until 3am or later because of the Timezone differences. When I’ve done the trip to the US purely for the conference, I don’t tend to get jet lag when I’m back home because I never adjusted to the US time zone. The fatigue isn’t fun when you’re trying to stay awake in the morning Conference sessions. :)
Hi Natalya, A retreat at Lake Tahoe sounds lovely. A place I’ve only seen on tv/movies but would love to visit. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to visit Australia. :)
Hi Chanel, yes, the play was fun! I’ve also seen a couple of Hallmark movies with writers and giggled my way through them. :)
Tahoe is beautiful! I hope you’ll have an opportunity to visit ?
Hi there Narelle –
Loved having you here for my birthday, but especially for our writing retreat. So glad you enjoyed yourself as much as I did :) Can’t wait to see you again in October for our Margie Lawson immersion.
Hi Andrea, yes, our October Immersion with Margie will be fabulous! Your hospitality is appreciated. :)
Narelle, so glad the Emotional Wound Thesaurus was able to help you dig deep! Lisa’s Book is terrific, isn’t it? I recommend it all the time. Sounds like you had a really productive retreat!
I would love to get back to Australia soon. I really miss it!
Happy writing,
Angela
Hi Angela, Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I love your writing resource books, and I hope you’ll have an opportunity to teach again in Australia! We’d love to see you back downunder! :)
Yes, I’d love that too, especially as I stare out at TWO FEET of snow that arrived a month earlier than it should have! Our winters are long enough as is, and having ours be extended by a month is cruel punishment, haha. ;)
Enjoy the sun and say hello from this cold Canadian!
Angela :)
Wow, Angela, you have two feet of snow already! We didn’t have any snow fall this year where I live in Canberra. Stay warm :)