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. 

• 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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