Pro Tip #2 for Writing Retreats:
Balance the mandatory with the optional, the firm with the flexible.
Welcome to Pro Tip #2 in my series of articles about designing unforgettable, amazingly magical, and potentially life changing retreats for writers.
I’ve learned a lot over the years about herding cats, writers, and introverts, and I feel like it’s time to share.
All of my writing retreats feature the same basic structure. The days without travel begin at 900am and end at 900pm. That’s a lot of hours. It’s really not as ridiculous as it seems; no one person spends the entire time writing.
I am loud and proud about these 12-hour days. The container for retreat-related activities has to be big enough to achieve three things:
to reassure each writer that I provide an extraordinary amount of quality time to write,
to help each writer understand that this thing is worth the expense, and
to help each writer justify their absence from daily responsibilities with whoever needs convincing.
At the same time, the writing sessions within the big 12-hour container have to be small enough to create a sense of movement and forward progress across the day.
It all comes down to balance. I have developed a consistent schedule - a formula, if you will - that fosters that special magic writers make for themselves, especially when they’re surrounded by their fellow storytellers.
But first!
Last week’s journaling prompts:
Next week’s journaling prompts are on the other side of the paywall with more about the incredibly powerful ways today’s writers used their Daily Pages.
#122 - Somewhat and Makeshift
#123 - Disrespect and Scream
#124 - Imperfect and Behold
#125 - Convince and Decision
#126 - Learning and Spontaneous
#127 - Today and Forgotten
TODAY #128 - Precise and Quit
The most interesting word-pairing for me this week was such a great opportunity to have fun with something that usually makes me feel bad about myself: #124 - Imperfect and Behold.
This prompt is a great way to have fun with your journal about how you’re not perfect.
If you take the word behold and put a drama spin on it, Behold! My Imperfections! then you can take a look at some of the things that aren’t perfect about you or about your efforts - because you’re practicing, human beings are always practicing - and put some safe distance between how you feel about your imperfections and the fact that they exist.
We’re human. We are imperfect. It is the way we roll. So, if you can put a little drama spin on Behold! My Imperfections! you can have fun with it. And having fun with it puts some perspective in place.
So. Take a look at some of your imperfections and Behold! them, and have fun with it.
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