I’m at the Deep Thinkers Retreat in Destin, Florida and it’s beautiful. We come to the beach every year in February and I help facilitate the conference for the week.  My main job during the conference is the care and feeding of the attendees. But I’m also watching, listening … and yes, sometimes I hear things.

Today I wanted to share some of my observations:

1. Eat Well, Write Well. Sorry, a steady of diet of chocolate chip cookies and malted milk balls are not conducive to clear thinking and well developed plot lines.  Although they do help stabilize emotions, at least at the moment.  When all else fails, have a malted milk ball instead of a melt down. For the record, I resisted the temptation this year and only succumbed to four. (Although we have two more days to go!)
2. Battle Uncertainty. I’ve heard, “I thought I had my story down, but now I’m not so sure.”  It’s so easy to doubt yourself and question the validity of your writing.  Just because a mentor or a teacher tells you the story needs to change it doesn’t mean you can’t write. Listen to the voice of experience and be open to making the changes necessary to strengthen your plot and deepen the characters. In this case, change is good and proves your growth as a writer.
3. Know When To Stop. When the scene isn’t working or you can’t seem to get pass the wall, it’s okay to say enough for today.  Banging your head against the wall tends to be painful, not productive.  Walk away for a moment and return when your mind is refreshed.
4. Expand Your Perspective. Brainstorming with others is a tremendous asset and gives you fresh ideas and insight. Even if you don’t use another writer’s idea, respect it.
5. Take Advantage Of Your Friends. And let them take advantage of you. I’ve developed the most amazing friendships because I’ve attended My Book Therapy writers retreats. It’s awesome to have people around you, who speak the same “writing lingo” as you. They get it. They know what the Dark Moment is and when you get stuck, they can help pull it out.
6. Utilize Community. Become A Stronger Writer. It’s great to hang around and brainstorm, but ultimately it comes down to you. Only you can take what you’ve learned and apply it to the story you’ve created.  Once you’ve attended the conference, do the work and see it through. You will be glad you did.

As the Retreats Coordinator for My Book Therapy, I’ve attended a number of the retreats. The most successful retreat is the one where you apply what you’ve learned.  Beth Vogt is a prime example of this.  She attended the first Storycrafters Retreat for beginning writers in October 2009. She diligently applied the principals of what she learned. By the end of 2014, she will have published three novels and two novellas.