Elements of a Successful Writing Retreat

By Kristen

Last month thirteen writers (including five Turbo Monkeys) got together in Virginia City, Nevada (where most of us met during the Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program) to reminisce and write. It turns out successful writing retreats and good novels have a lot in common...

SETTING

Photo credit: Ellen Jellison

A place with atmosphere, favorable weather conditions, and room for lots of writers.

Example: St. Mary's Art & Retreat Center 

A former hospital, built in 1875 by the Sisters of Charity, "St. Mary’s Art & Retreat Center is a place where creativity can be explored in an atmosphere of quiet beauty…Recharge, regroup and reconnect with yourself and others under expansive views, blue skies, clean air and the incredible light of the high desert at 6200 feet elevation."

VIEWPOINT

Photo credit: Hazel Mitchell

Example: A view of the town of Virginia City from the porch of St. Mary's Art & Retreat Center.

CHARACTERS

Photo credit: Dawn Callahan

Example: Cook, chauffeur, reluctant hero, girl next door, geek, jock, Southern belle, dark lady, monkey, etc.

PACING

Example:

Write

Eat

Write

Eat

Sleep

Repeat!

CONFLICT

Example: 

Workout?

Or shopping?

SUSPENSE

Example: Resident ghost?

DIALOGUE

Example: Cozy living room + 13 writers = awesome conversation.

GOALS

Example: Meet your wordcount and you get chocolate!