38. Writing Retreats: Five Reasons Why They Can Be a Game Changer

Today I'm diving into one of my all time favorite topics: writing retreats. What makes them such a transformative experience for authors and how can they benefit our writing?
I'm talking about solo retreats, group retreats, and everything in between. If you've been feeling stuck, uninspired, or just overwhelmed by the day to day hustle, tune in because this episode will help you see how a retreat can not only recharge your creativity, but propel you forward in your writing journey.
Visit BookWorks.co for retreat info!
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Transcript

STEPS TO STORY EP 38 - Writing Retreats

[00:00:00] Nicole Meier: If you've been feeling stuck, uninspired, or just overwhelmed by the day to day hustle, this episode will help you see how a retreat can not only recharge your creativity, but propel you forward in your writing journey.

[00:00:21] Nicole Meier: Welcome to Steps to Story, the show that helps aspiring authors turn their ideas into action and transform their dream of writing a book into a reality. I'm your host, Nicole Meyer, multi published author and certified book coach. I spent the first part of my fiction writing career desperate for guidance that was unavailable to me.

[00:00:42] Nicole Meier: I wrote draft after draft, flying by the seat of my pants, with lots of passion but little guidance. Thankfully, there was a writing community that opened its arms and welcomed me. This community sustained me. But when it came to strengthening my novel writing process, I was determined to find a better way.

[00:01:03] Nicole Meier: One that didn't involve piecemeal strategies. and confusing courses. Now, more than a decade later, I'm serving my younger self who yearned for support while writing a book. If you're an emerging author seeking guidance, this podcast is for you. Are you on the list to get my novel writing guide? I designed this workbook to take you through five essential strategies that will level up your novel writing process.

[00:01:33] Nicole Meier: Grab your free copy at nicolemeier. com forward slash crafting greatness. That's nicolemeier. com forward slash crafting greatness or at the link in the show notes.

[00:01:54] Nicole Meier: Hey there, listeners, happy fall and welcome back to the show. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just dipping your toes into the world of words, today's episode's for you. Because today I'm diving into one of my all time favorite topics, writing retreats. What makes them such a transformative experience and how can they benefit your writing?

[00:02:15] Nicole Meier: We'll be talking about solo retreats, group retreats, and everything in between. If you've been feeling stuck, uninspired, or just overwhelmed by the day to day hustle, I Stick around because this episode will help you see how a retreat can not only recharge your creativity, but propel you forward in your writing journey.

[00:02:34] Nicole Meier: So let's get into it. So first things first, what exactly is a writing retreat? It's pretty simple. It's time dedicated to writing in a space away from the distractions of your regular life. These retreats can be as short as a weekend or as long as a few weeks. And they can be solo, where you go off on your own, or group retreats, where you're surrounded by other writers sharing that space and energy.

[00:03:01] Nicole Meier: No matter what you choose, a writing retreat can be a game changer, and here are five reasons why. Reason number one, the gift of focused time. Let's be honest, life is very busy. Between work, family, social obligations, and all the little things that fill our days, writing often gets pushed to the bottom of the list.

[00:03:25] Nicole Meier: A retreat changes that dynamic. You're setting aside focused time to write without distractions. Think about how freeing it would be to wake up, have your morning coffee, and instead of worrying about emails or laundry, you get to immerse yourself in the story. Whether it's just you or you're in a group setting, that focus time is sacred for your creativity.

[00:03:48] Nicole Meier: When you attend a group retreat, even more magic can happen. There is a collective energy that fuels everyone's productivity. It's as if everyone's creativity flow elevates yours. And the bonus? You don't get to feel alone in your process. Seeing others focus and work with intention is deeply motivating.

[00:04:10] Nicole Meier: Alright, reason number two. Inspiration from a new environment. Let's face it, writing in the same spot day after day can feel stale, right? We love our familiar spaces, but they can box us in creatively. A retreat, whether it's a cozy cabin in the mountains or a beachside bungalow, lets you step into a new environment.

[00:04:34] Nicole Meier: And that can be huge for reimagining your creativity. Nature often plays a big role here. There's something about fresh air, the change of scenery, the sound of the ocean, or the quiet of the woods. That can really clear out all the mental clutter that we carry around. Suddenly new ideas start bubbling up.

[00:04:53] Nicole Meier: It's like you're giving your mind permission to wander into new creative spaces. And even in a group retreat, you can find those little corners of solitude where you reconnect with your story in ways that feel fresh and alive. Okay, reason number three, community and connection. This is a big one for me.

[00:05:13] Nicole Meier: Writing is such a solitary act most of the time, right? We sit at our desks with our notebooks or our laptops. And it's just us and our words. But at a group writing retreat, you're surrounded by people who get it. These are other writers who understand the highs and lows, the excitement of a new idea, and the agony of trying to make it work on the page.

[00:05:37] Nicole Meier: There's a deep sense of camaraderie that forms when you're in a group of writers. And this can be one of the most rejuvenating parts of a retreat. Sharing meals, talking through your struggles, exchanging feedback, sometimes those conversations can spark breakthroughs you didn't even know you needed. If you're more introverted and prefer a solo retreat, don't worry, you can still feel connected to the broader writing community through online groups or simply knowing that there are other writers out there doing exactly what you're doing.

[00:06:09] Nicole Meier: Okay, let's move on to reason number four. It's a chance to refocus your goals. How many times have you felt lost in your writing, unsure where to go next? Writing retreats offer a space to recalibrate. I love that. Without the constant noise of daily life, you can zoom out and reflect on your bigger goals.

[00:06:31] Nicole Meier: Maybe you've been stuck on a plot point or questioning your protagonist's motivations. Or maybe you've just been avoiding your manuscript altogether. Anybody nodding along? On a retreat, you're giving yourself the gift of time to dive deep into those questions. You can take long walks to mull things over.

[00:06:50] Nicole Meier: journal about your creative roadblocks, or have one on one chats with a fellow writer or retreat leader to gain fresh insights. A retreat gives you the space to refocus, reset, and leave with renewed clarity. Who doesn't want that? Okay, reason number five. A retreat helps you refill your creative well.

[00:07:12] Nicole Meier: This is one of my most favorite things to talk about, is refilling the well. Writing can be draining, especially if you're constantly producing but never taking time to recharge your battery. Retreats allow you to step back and refill your creative well. Whether you're reading, spending time in nature, meditating, or simply sitting in stillness.

[00:07:35] Nicole Meier: These activities help rejuvenate your mind and body. You'll return to your writing not just refreshed, but often with a deeper well of ideas to draw from. Solo retreats are amazing for this. You can go at your own pace, giving yourself permission to rest and reflect. But group retreats are also structured in a way that have activities like workshops or mindfulness practices that can nurture your creativity in ways you may not have thought of.

[00:08:03] Nicole Meier: So, whether you're feeling overwhelmed by your current project. Or just yearning for a creative reset, a writing retreat might be just what you need. Whether it's a solo retreat or a group retreat, this time away can offer focused writing, a spark of inspiration, a sense of community. clarity around your goals, and a wellspring of creativity.

[00:08:27] Nicole Meier: If you're ready to invest in your writing and yourself, a retreat can be a powerful step in your journey. Think about the type that's right for you and plan ahead. Also listeners, there's good news. The co creator of bookworks. co and I are inviting you on a special writing retreat that is set to happen in scenic Oregon, February 20 through 23rd, 2025.

[00:08:54] Nicole Meier: We're excited to bring you a retreat that not only gives you time and space to write, but also empowers you with workshops on building your author platform and pitching your work. This is an intimate retreat with limited spaces. If this idea resonates with you, we invite you to visit bookworks. co and contact us with your questions.

[00:09:17] Nicole Meier: P. S. Early bird pricing ends October 31st. We'd love to have you join us. Okay, thanks so much for tuning in today, everyone. I hope this episode has sparked some ideas for you of how you can carve out space for your writing, whether that's a weekend getaway or a longer retreat. If you have any questions or want to share your own retreat experiences, I'd actually love to hear from you.

[00:09:41] Nicole Meier: Feel free to reach out on Instagram at NicoleMeierWrites or at BookWorks. co. Until next time everyone, keep writing, keep dreaming, talk to you soon.

[00:09:56] Nicole Meier: If you want to check out my coaching programs for fiction writers, That's M E I E R. And if you liked this episode, I'd love you to take a minute to leave a rating and review for this podcast. This will help more writers like you to discover the show and to get going on their writing journey. Thanks so much for listening.

[00:10:18] Nicole Meier: Until next time, happy writing, everyone.