How To Create Your Own Mini Writing Retreat At Home

by Kate Beddow | Oct 7, 2025 | Uncategorised

A writing retreat is the perfect way to kick start your creativity

This week I planning a mini at home writing retreat. I have a whole day to myself on Thursday as the boys are going on a road trip to Wembley, so I decided to make the most of the opportunity to really get into my new manuscript.

I love creating mini writing retreats, they kick me into a different mindset and I am always so productive.

The first time I did a writing retreat at home was during lockdown, with my daughter, Laura. It was organised by my friend Gayle Johnson.

She runs a lot of writing sessions, and was missing the opportunity to have in person sessions. She planned carefully and even sent out little packages with a brownie, teabags, notebook and pen etc which arrived the day before, along with instructions for how to prepare. It was such a productive day that, once lockdown was lifted, I planned a week long solo retreat in a caravan in Devon. It was amazing. I wrote every day, I walked in the beautiful countryside and took myself on little artist dates. I wrote about 8000 words of my memoir and came back with a renewed fire for the whole project.

What do you need to prepare?

There are a few essentials for a mini writing retreat, here are my personal essentials:

Writing materials – laptop, research notes, post its, notebooks, pens, highlighters, whatever you use to write.
Your favourite hot drink, in your favourite mug (all writers have favourite mugs don’t they?)
A candle – I always light a candle while I’m writing. I have even decided to use the same candle just for this writing project as the smell helps to transport you.

writing retreat. a notebook, candle, mug and teapot sitting on a wooden desk

Your favourite food – plan what you will eat for your meals, make it your favourite comfort foods. You can also plan writing snacks.
A writing playlist – I always listen to music while I write. When I am writing on a big project though I have to have music without lyrics, otherwise I sing along and lose my thread! Classical music, instrumental tracks from films etc are all perfect for me. There are some playlists on Apple Music and Spotify if you do a quick search. Make sure you listen to the music first to ensure it isn’t going to be distracting.
Plan an outing – whether it is a walk somewhere lovely, a visit to a museum or art gallery or just a quick drink in your favourite coffee shop, getting out and about can really help ideas formulate.
A journal and some prompts to get you started.
Comfy clothes, your favourite slippers and a blanket if it’s cold.

The aim is to create a comfortable, relaxing space. Somewhere you can create without distractions and make real progress. However, it is important to plan a little time out too. It is impossible for most of us to write for hours and hours without a break, and even if it is possible, then it isn’t healthy. I am planning a walk in the forrest, or perhaps for a hot drink, maybe I’ll walk to buy some flowers for my desk. Whatever I feel like doing on the day will be my outing of choice.

I have my meals planned, and some dairy free chocolate coming on my food shop tomorrow. My lunch will be pre-prepared soup, so I don’t have to break off for too long, but then I will take my time preparing my evening meal, before settling down with a film or taking a hot bath – again, whatever takes my fancy.

The day before my retreat I will tidy my office space and make sure the sofa in there is clear from paperwork (I tend to spread out onto there when I am researching). I like to have inspirational things around me when I write but that’s different to clutter and mess. I will get up on Thursday morning, walk to the doctors, I have a routine appointment first thing and it’s the perfect way to get some fresh air before I begin. Then I intend to do a couple of hours writing and some planning, before I have some lunch, and take time to go for another walk. Then I will head back to my desk for some more writing before tea and some pampering and relaxation time. Hopefully by the evening I will feel that I have earned a treat.

I hope I have given you a few ideas and inspired you to create a simple writing retreat at home. It doesn’t have to be a full day – I know that that is a luxury – but even an hour of writing with a little ritual can have a big impact. Part of the magic though is in the planning, in setting your intention, that gives your brain the clues it needs to know that this is writing time. Even a ritual as simple as a hot drink and a candle can have a huge impact.

Enjoy your mini writing retreat, whenever you manage to have it, and however long you are able to make it last. Taking time for your writing is so important, and making your writing needs a priority isn’t selfish, it’s self care.

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Starting writing a book? What do you need to know?

by Kate Beddow | Sep 23, 2025 | Uncategorised

Up to 2.4 million books are published every year. It is estimated that by 2010 over 130 million books had been written. I would hazard a guess that that is a massive underestimation. In addition to that, more people than ever are having a go at writing a book.

Every single book started with a glimmer of an idea, a passing comment, a story that someone couldn’t shake.

But what happens next?

How does that dream go from concept to published book? Where on earth do you start?

Book One

As always, there is no right way to do anything creative, but there are definitely some tried and tested ways, that seem to make this terrifying first step easier.

I have wanted to write a book since I was a little girl, but I never thought I would be in a position to actually take a step towards achieving that dream.

About 5 years ago I decided that I was going to finally write the memoir that had been bouncing around in my head for about a decade.

I took myself off to a quiet place for a week, and I used that time to make a start, so that when I returned to the hustle and bustle of family life with two children, I already had a strong grasp of what I was doing.

I grabbed a new notebook, and as it was a memoir, the first thing I did was to make a note of all the key events that I knew I needed to include. Then I arranged the anecdotes and stories into what I thought was an order that would work well, and I started writing.

That’s the thing about memoir, you are writing your life, what you know better than anyone else in the world. From that moment on, apart from contacting my Dad to check a couple of timelines with his trusty diary, it all just came pouring out.

Book Two

No two books are ever the same.

At the start of this year I had an idea for a very different book. A book I never dreamed I would have the confidence to start writing – an historical fiction novel. I have never written fiction. I was terrified and excited.

People often believe that when you write fiction you can just make everything up, so it’s easy. Not true.

Anything that is set in a different time or place, needs research around customs, eating, clothes, language used… with historical fiction the research reaches a whole new level.

Have I started writing it?

I started researching the area and time my book is set at Christmas. As I write this, I still haven’t started writing the actual book.

I have looked at the Snowflake Method and Save the Cat. I have spent more time thinking about how this story should begin than anything I have ever done in my life.

I have files and notebooks full of research, ideas, and timelines. My word count is still currently zero. But that’s ok.

Why?

Well, there are two reasons. The first is legitimate, the second is the fault of my mind monkey.

The primary reason I haven’t started yet is because I haven’t quite got to the point where I have all the information I need. I am visiting the place where my book is set next week, and I just know that going back there, soaking up the atmosphere, doing more research and being totally immersed will spark something. As soon as I get back the words will just flow.

The second reason is less rational. I already love this book so much, that I want to make sure I do it justice and that I get it right.

This is foolhardy because there was never a perfect first draft written. That is just a little bit of fear around writing a new genre, but I have that under control for now, and I will get cracking as soon as I have the last few pieces of the jigsaw that I need.

The gestation period of a book

Books take time. They need to develop and deepen. We must get to know them, intimately, before we can even begin to think they are ready to be released into the world.

I am still determined to have a first draft completed before my 50th Birthday, next summer. In fact, I am determined to start writing it before the end of September, and I will.

I have almost all the information I need now, and although I will keep researching and learning throughout the writing of this book, I feel that I am almost ready to start now.

What other say about how should you start writing a book?

According to The Wordling you should:

Step 1: Determine your why. The most important question you can ask yourself before you begin work on a new book is why you’re doing it.

Step 2: Choose your book idea.

Step 3: Create space in your life for this project.

Step 4: Outline your book.

Step 5: Set writing goals.

Step 6: Start writing your first draft.

According to ProWritingAid you should:

1. Decide What Your Book Will Be About

2. Research and Outline Your Book

3. Structure Your Novel

4. Use First- or Third-Person Point of View

5. Create a Memorable Main Character

6. Choose a Cosy Space to Write Your Book

7. Create and Follow a Good Writing Routine

8. Use Editing Software Like ProWritingAid

9. Write the First Chapter of Your Novel

This all sounds like good advice to me, but as you can see, they aren’t the same list, because there isn’t only one way to start writing a book.

Everyone is different, and the right way to start writing a book, is however you want to start. There are as many ways to write a book as there are books.

My promise

I am a strange cross between a planner and a pantser. I like to have the majority of my research done, and to have a rough outline, before I put a single word down. Then I like to have the freedom to follow my instincts, once I start writing. I do think that all the advice above is good though. Knowing who your main character is, who you are writing for, what perspective you are writing in etc before you start, makes the whole process easier in the long run.

The most important thing is to enjoy the process, however you choose to start.

That is my only advice really, start.

As I write this I realise how hypocritical I sound, but I promise that by the end of the month I will have a word count to share with you that is greater than 0, and hopefully as high as a few thousand.

Time will tell.

If you have written a book, how did you start? I love finding out other people’s methods and tips.

Why Substack Is Every Writer’s Secret Weapon

by Kate Beddow | Mar 3, 2025 | Uncategorised

Everyone is talking about Substack

Substack is causing quite a stir in the writer community. As someone who has been using the platform for a couple of years now, I have to say, I can understand why. Before I start this blog, I feel the need to be honest and say that I am not an expert on this subject, I am merely sharing what I have learned through regular use and seeing the benefits.

What is Substack?

Substack is a media platform. A place where you can share articles, newsletters, videos, podcasts and chat with other creatives. It is free to use, and while the newsletter functions are limited, so I wouldn’t suggest it as a replacement for an email list, you do own your contacts there, unlike on social media platforms.

Not only do you control who sees your content and what you post, you can also choose to monetise your content, giving special attention to your paid subscribers and offering them access to additional resources and content.

How much does Substack cost?

Substack is free to use for both writers and readers, although some content may be behind a paywall. As a writer, if you choose to have paid subscribers, Substack then take 10% of that fee and as they take their payments through Stripe, they take an additional 13%. So you will only receive 87% of the subscription fee you charge. Of course, you have to be earning money from Substack to have to pay anything, unlike most newsletter providers which charge a monthly fee.

What are the benefits of writing on Substack?

As a creative, I would imagine your creative freedom is important to you, on Substack, you retain ownership of your content, and there are no restrictions or censorship around your content. This can cause controversy, as there have been some issues around them not taking a stance on certain content (Neo Nazi content for example), but for the most part it means that people can share their opinions without censorship, and that is mostly a positive. Read more about Substack’s view on content moderation.

Substack is a multi-media platform

While most people use the platform for writing and sending newsletters, you can also create vlogs and even podcasts through their user friendly interface. You can create private communities and really nurture your readers through live sessions and gifts. Whether you are technologically minded or not Substack is incredibly user friendly.

Why choose Substack over the alternatives?

I asked Claude.ai to compare Substack to the alternative platforms as although I have used several alternative platforms, I don’t use every platform so didn’t feel it would be fair for me to try to compare.

Here is what Claude said:

Substack vs. Medium

Revenue model: Substack lets writers keep 90% of subscription revenue minus payment processing fees; Medium offers a partner program based on reading time
Ownership: On Substack, you own your email list completely; Medium maintains control of the audience relationship
Discoverability: Medium has stronger internal discovery features; Substack relies more on external promotion
Paywall flexibility: Substack lets you decide exactly what’s free vs. paid; Medium’s paywall is more platform-controlled

Substack vs. Patreon

Content focus: Substack is optimized for written content; Patreon is more versatile for various creator types
Distribution: Substack handles email delivery seamlessly; Patreon requires more manual distribution
Membership tiers: Patreon offers more complex membership tier options; Substack has simpler free/paid distinction
Platform recognition: Readers instantly understand Substack’s model; Patreon might require more explanation

Substack vs. Traditional Blogging (WordPress, Ghost)

Technical barrier: Substack requires minimal technical knowledge; self-hosted platforms need more expertise
Monetization: Substack has built-in payment processing; WordPress/Ghost require additional plugins or services
Cost structure: Substack takes a percentage of revenue but has no upfront costs; self-hosted options have fixed costs regardless of earnings
Customisation: Self-hosted platforms offer more design flexibility; Substack has limited customisation options

Substack vs. Social Media Newsletters (Twitter/X, LinkedIn)

Algorithm independence: Substack delivers directly to inboxes; social platforms prioritize content based on algorithms
Monetization options: Substack has robust monetization; social platforms’ newsletter monetization is limited or nonexistent
Professional focus: Substack is recognized as a professional publishing platform; social newsletters may be perceived as less serious
Content ownership: Clearer content ownership on Substack; more ambiguous on social platforms

What can I write about?

This is the beauty of Substack. You can write about whatever interests you, and you will find your tribe. The platform is home to many successful authors such as Elizabeth Gilbert, Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie, celebrities like Stephen Fry and Richard Osman, and a whole host of academic writers. Heather Cox Richardson (an American historian) is believed to be earning at least $5 million a year from her Substack. None of the highest earners are people you would expect. Whatever you want to share with the world, you can share it on Substack.

Most importantly…

I have never had a negative encounter on Substack. It is by far the friendliest platform I have ever spent time on. Other writers are supportive and everyone pulls together. Putting your writing out into the world can be a scary experience but I haven’t met anyone yet who has been trolled on this platform. It only seems to attract users who genuinely love writing and words and who are happy to meet other like minded souls.

If you want to dip your toe into the Substack pool please do come and say hello, you can subscribe to my free membership using the form below. Let’s fill the internet with compassion, love and lots of powerful words. What could be more perfect or more needed right now.

If you are looking for a more intimate writing community, why not join A little word told me… We are a group of supportive and welcoming women who all love words and journalling and we are always happy to welcome new members to our elite club.

Difficult Decisions

by Kate Beddow | Oct 12, 2024 | Uncategorised

How many decisions do you make a day?

It is thought that an average adult makes between 33,000 and 35,000 decisions a day. This is an average, some people have to make many more. Some decisions may be small and simple to make; What socks shall I wear? Do I need to have a shower? What shall I have for breakfast? You can see how that number is so large when you break your day down into decisions like this, can’t you?

These decisions are simple and often immaterial. Rarely will wearing the wrong socks have an impact on your day. Sometimes though, those big decisions come along; Should I accept the job? Which school should I send my child to? Should I have this medical procedure?

How do you cope when you have a big decision to make? Are you good at decision making? I would consider myself to be quite good at making decisions in an emergency situation, I am pretty good at keeping my cool and doing what needs to be done.

The times when I find it hardest are when I have more time to think about big decisions. Being a parent and business owner, most of the big decisions I have to make, aren’t urgent decisions, but sometimes they feel really big. As a parent for example, I know that many of the most valuable lessons we learn are through challenges we face. That’s when we really find out who we are, I know that this is the case because I have lived through my own series of difficult decisions. Watching your toddler struggle to get the shape in the shape sorter and get frustrated is one thing. Watching your grown up child make decisions about relationships. friendships, jobs, their life away from you, is a whole other level. The temptation to jump in an help is huge in both situations, but it is important to step back and let them work things out, otherwise they don’t learn the life skills they need to survive away from you.

Analysis Paralysis

When we have too many things to think about we can struggle to process anything. We often go round and round on the same thoughts without making any progress.

We need help to break out of this pattern. The first thing to do is to take some big, slow deep breaths. The first thing that happens when we are worried or scared is that our heart rate increases and we go into fight, flight or freeze. When this happens all our problem solving and decision making skills are abandoned in favour of survival functions like running and hitting. Stop, and breathe. This being to calm the body and makes problem solving and decision making slightly easier again. I would always recommend talking to loved ones. Just talking through things is so helpful, getting other trusted opinions, other perspectives, reassurance.

This is where journaling can really be beneficial. By writing all these thoughts out our brain can’t distinguish between those things which we have written to say to someone and those that we have just written down for ourselves. We work through things and discover answers to questions.

Writing to make decisions is instinctive

As a teenager, and we all know how challenging those years can be, I instinctively wrote out my challenges and decisions. It didn’t dawn on me what I was doing until years later. Not only did I keep a diary, but I had several trusted pen friends who I wrote to weekly. These letters to my friends were my very simple juvenile journaling and counselling combined. Have you ever unconsciously used writing to help you make decisions or process difficult times?

How do you journal?

Just start writing about the situation you have to make a decision about, and see what appears on the page. You may be surprised what appears. Keep writing and writing and find out what you really think. You may discover that there are considerations you hadn’t thought of yet, or that there are things you haven’t take into account until now.

Pick up a pen and notebook or piece of paper and start writing.

The benefits of journaling are huge and you will reduce your anxiety around the issue you are writing about and even lower your blood pressure as you write. It really is an incredibly beneficial habit to form.

Just give it a try, you might be surprised by the results.

If you haven’t tried journaling before and don’t know how to start, you can find out more.

All that glitters…

by Kate Beddow | Jul 1, 2024 | Uncategorised

All that glitters isn’t gold…

This week I have been reminded that often things aren’t quite what they seem. Often we see a shiny object and go chasing after it, how often does it deliver the way we want it to? Not very many in ny experience.

However, when it comes to writing does your writing have to glitter to have value?

Well, it depends on the purpose of your writing. If you want to write a bestselling novel then your writing probably has to glitter and be eye catching. If you are writing for your own purposes though, it definitely doesn’t need to glitter to have a deep and meaningful impact.

The last few weeks I have been working through some issues and after many, many hours of journaling I am starting to realise that they are rooted in a time long gone.

About twenty five years ago I had a very challenging few years, and, partly because I was dealing with some huge emotions but mostly because life was so busy, it is the only time in my life that I haven’t written.

Throughout my life I have always written as a way of processing my thoughts and emotions. I have written diaries, letters to pen friends and even used blogs to work out my feelings and problem solve. For these few years thought I didn’t. So now, I have emotions popping up that at first I couldn’t process because they seemed unrelated to anything that I was experiencing at the moment. It turns out, they have been triggered by innocent and insignificant things that have happened recently. These issues have reappeared without warning. Now I am struggling to unpack them because the emotions twisted around these challenges are now so distant that it is hard to work through them effectively.

I spent 3 hours journaling last week tryibg to get to the bottom of what was going on in my head. Then I wrote a Substack article in an attempt to gain more clarity.

None of this writing was neat, accurately written, some of it was barely legible. It was a stream of consciousness from brain to page. That is why journaling works so well. It helps you to connect to your unconscious in a unique way.

Was any of it written in a way that other people would enjoy reading?

Certainly not the journaling! The article I wrote, was far frmo my best work, and i definitely wouldn’t want it in print in that form, but it was slightly more polished.

Did any of it glitter?

Not in a literary sense, no, but perhaps it would attract someone’s attention. Maybe even help someone who had experienced a similar time of trauma which they didn’t fully process. I didn’t share any of the issues or circumstances in the article, despite digging really deep into my mental archive in my journaling. Despite that, the message was hopefully clear; Always write.

I made myyself a promise in that article to never ever go so long without writing about my feelings truthfully and deeply again. I don;t ever want to have to pick through such old emotions and try to make sense of them again.

Now perhaps I would hae struggled to process them fully at the time. Maybe they were too raw. But I wish I had been brave enough, and with the benefit of hindsight and maturity I would urge my younger self to find the right moment and just be brave.

Woman in navy jumper journaling on the floor

Writing in this way does take bravery too. To allow your absolute truth out of your mind and onto the page takes real courage and vulnerability.

If you are worried that someone will read what you have written, you can destroy the writing once you have finished it, but the process of writing it down can really help you understand your inner workings in a deeper way.

Some of the most valuable and significant writing I have ever written is illegible scrawl. It has helped me process some huge emotions though and that makes it more precious than gold.

How do you do it?

Grab some paper and a pen and write.

It’s really that simple. The important thing though is not to filter what you are writing and to keep writing past the point that you thin you have anything important to say. Keep writing even if you aren’t saying anything important, and eventually things you had no idea were lurking in your brain will start to appear on the page. They might not be what you are expecting to see, they might not be what you are hoping to work through, but they will be important and need you to acknowledge them.

If you are worried that to be a writer, and write consistently means that you have to write something perfect and sparkly. What is important is that you write, not how you write, or where you write.

If I was to give one piece of advice I would recommend everyone write as often as they possibly can. Every day might not be realistic for you, but maybe you can write three times a week? or even once a week for a longer amount of time. Whatever works for you is great and any writing is better than none.

Write from your heart, don’t filter and see what appears for you.

Remember: If you need any support in your writing I am on hand to guide you, to support you with the process or to hold your hand through any really challenging issues that you can’t face working through alone. Work with me.