I’m in sunny yet sometimes rainy Destin, Florida at the 5th annual Deep Thinkers Retreat.
Seventeen writers (all women at this event) gathered to learn the craft of writing a novel.
There’s laughter, fun, frustration, confused looks, pondering, break throughs and friendships being forged.
A writers retreat like Story Crafters and Deep Thinkers is the pressure cooker of learning craft.
You can’t escape. It’s all around you!
Everyone is talking, breathing, sleeping STORY!
So how do you know if a writers retreat is right for you?
It is a commitment of time and money.
Are you really ready to invest in your writing journey at the retreat level?
Maybe you’re asking what’s the difference between a retreat and a conference.
A conference is a smorgasbord of workshops, keynotes and industry professionals.
It’s a great place to network, to get a taste of craft, marketing and social media and/or professional insight via one hour workshops.
A writers retreat is focused. It’s a week of 8 hours a day — or more — of fiction craft instruction and writing.
There’s no keynote. No professional networking. No marketing or social media tips.
Just fiction. All day long!
At a writers retreat, you focus on your story, on your craft. Your weaknesses can be addressed and helped.
If you story is not working, we can dig in and help you figure it out.
At a retreat it’s all about YOU. 😉
How do you know if it’s time for a writers retreat?
1. You’ve been to the conferences, you’ve worked on your novel, but you just can’t seem to get over the “hump” toward a solid, finished novel.
2. You’re stuck. You can’t seem to get some aspect of the craft down. You’re great at beginnings and endings, but stuck in the middle.
3. You’ve finished a novel, sat with editors and agents who liked your work but… you just can’t seem to get a bite A writers retreat is a great way to talk one on one with the instructors on how to bump up your stories and plotting.
4. Learn deeper techniques such as peripheral plotting or how to add symbols and metaphors.
5. Develop more intimate writing relationships. Usually people leave a writers retreat with a writing buddy or two who talks the same craft lingo and can help you along your journey.
What kind of writers retreat? How much? What should I expect?
1. There are a lot of good writers get aways. Story Crafters and Deep Thinkers sponsored by My Book Therapy are two of the best, mind you.
2. Look for a retreat that dives into the nitty gritty of novel crafting.
3. Look for a retreat where the sponsors are perhaps experienced authors. Nothing like learning from those who’ve gone before you in the field of writing novels.
4. Expect to spend about a grand on the retreat and travel. Maybe less. But that’s also the price of a national conference. Less for a regional conference but your return-on-investment is so much greater at a retreat.
5. If you choose a writers retreat, make sure you have built in time when you return home to actually work on your novel. it’s a waste of time and money to go back home and fall into the regular grind where writing is last priority. Make sure writing becomes a higher priority after a retreat.
Can you get published without a writers retreat. Sure. Absolutely. But the more time and money and heart you invest in your work, the more you’ll learn and advance your writing journey.
Happy Writing.
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Best-selling, award-winning author Rachel Hauck loves a great story. She excels in seeing the deeper layers of a story.
With a love for teaching and mentoring, Rachel comes alongside writers to help them craft their novel. A worship leader, board member of ACFW and popular writing teacher, Rachel is the author of over 17 novels. She lives in Florida with her husband and  dog.
Contact her at: Rachel@mybooktherapy.com. Pre order her next release, Princess Ever After, book two in the Royal Wedding Series.
Do you need help with your story idea, synopsis or proposal?How about some one-on-one craft coaching. Check out our menu of services designed to help you advance your writing dreams.