by Alena Wendall, @alenawendall

As we all know, writing can be a solitary event, but it doesn’t have to be. Most writers are introverts. However, whenever I’ve stretched myself to attend a retreat, I always make new friends and learn something new. 

If you want to host a writing retreat, it doesn’t have to be elaborate – unless you want it to be. 

Here are a few things you should consider.

Budget. 

Most people have a budget, and making your retreat economical for all to attend will be easier. Here are a few questions to consider:

Location

• Decide on a place that has a main airport within thirty minutes to an hour away. A closer location will help with flights and rental car selection. 

The Place

• If you have a house you are willing to host, it would make the retreat very economical. If you don’t, you can utilize an AirBnb, etc. 
• Decide on the length of the retreat.
  • Some AirBnB give a discount if you stay a certain number of days. 
• Food.  If you rent a place with cooking facilities, plan a simple menu for all involved.
  • Ask if they want to share the duties. One person can handle breakfast, another lunch, and someone else dinner.
  • An option for this is also to eat out for dinner and then that leaves two meals to prepare a day. 
  • Make sure and ask about allergies beforehand. 

Goals

What do you want to accomplish at this retreat? This answer is imperative to ask when people commit. 

• Do you want a place for a few writers to gather for focused writing time? 
• Do you want to gather a group of writers to brainstorm your next novel? 

Who Will Attend?

I would ask people that you can spend three to five days with. Be sure of this before you ask. You want time to enjoy writing and fellowship. Choose wisely. 

Schedule

I’ve found that breaks are needed if you are going to brainstorm with a group of writers. If you pick a good location, you can schedule brainstorming in the morning and sightseeing in the afternoon. 

Chocolate

Have plenty of chocolate on hand. 😊

Prayer

I recommend committing every aspect of this to prayer beforehand. 

Happy Retreating!

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Writing as Alena Wendall, Alena Tauriainen pens contemporary Christian romance novels that always end with a happily ever after. By day, she partners with her lifelong mate Clyde, to run the family HVAC business. She manages both business and family life with four lovable but crazy kids. She is the Retreats Coordinator for My Book Therapy. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner with Books & Such Literary Management. Visit her at alenawendall.com.