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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Road Trip Wednesday - Dream Writing Retreat

Going to try adding Wednesday to my blogging schedule. I doubt I have enough brain power to come up with something stunningly creative for Wednesdays on my own, so I'm going to hop on the YA Highway's Road Trip Wednesday


Today's RTW prompt is: 
Describe your dream writing retreat. Where would you go? Who and what would you bring?


London
If I were to craft the perfect writing retreat it would be a week (or more, what the hell, it's a fantasy) in a quiet hotel in Bloomsbury, in easy walking distance to the British Library, the Strand and the river. I'd write in the morning, walk in the afternoon and meet with friends for dinner and drinks in the evening. I might even take a few day trips out of King's Cross.
British Library
In any season London is a walker's paradise. And I write best in my head while walking. I used to work in the City (a lowly tea-lady, not a high powered venture capitalist, in case you were wondering) and sometimes, instead of hoping on the tube, I'd walk down High Holborn, into the West End, down to Victoria Embankment, across Hungerford Bridge and once, I walked all the way home to Balham. 
Victoria Embankment


Stories are buried in every nook and cranny of the city. For me, it's a layered, never ending source of ideas. Sometimes, I walk through London in my dreams. 


I actually wouldn't take anyone with me. I'm surrounded by people who need me all the time right now and the optimal writing experience would be mostly silent. I know there will be other times in my life when I'll want/need others to spark my creativity, but that's not now.


As for what I would take with me, laptop, of course. And I would probably take Writing the BreakOut Novel by Donald Maass in case I get stuck. Ipod and lots of music is also not negotiable - I know this goes against my previous request for silence, but I don't consider music noise, I consider it writing impetus.


What about you, what's your idea of a perfect writing retreat?



9 comments:

  1. I'm with you. I love London. And hey- I'm writing about it now. Excuse for a research trip?

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  2. London is such an awesome city! I'd love to get over there again, but for a writing retreat I think all the awesome would distract me too much :)

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  3. London is awesome for sure. I'd probably be WAY too distracted, though. Too much to see and do! I could see planning a trip there for research. :)

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  4. Ahh, can I come with you on your imaginary retreat? It sounds wonderful!

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  5. Writing the Breakout Novel is a great book! That's about all I share with you, but jealous of the London thing. Never been there, but it sounds divine....

    A belated Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  6. For me, London would be great for research. Or just to be a tourist. I've been at least four or five times for various reasons (not including "visits" to Heathrow and Gatwick), and there is so much to see and explore. A writing retreat there? I don't think I would be able to do more than take notes and pictures!

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  7. What a wonderful idea -- a dream writing trip. I hope I can plan one next year. :)

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  8. London would be a great place - been there before and dug it.
    Missed you for the IWSG post yesterday! Next one is February 1.

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  9. @Alex - I know, I got my schedule all messed up this week - wish I could blame a post-new year hang over, but really, it's due to toddler induced sleepless nights. Will be back on track in Feb!
    @MPAX - if you do it, let me know, maybe we can buddy up. ;)
    @colin - I think because I used to live there it would be less of a distraction, but who knows? I might spend too much time at the Tate Modern and not enough time at the keyboard!
    @Bryce - happy new year to you too! all the very best for 2012.
    @rachel, crystal, jaime, stephen - I say we plan a group research/retreat trip!

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