Freedom to Write

It's been over a year since I left my job as a school librarian to stay home with the kids and to write. Perhaps no one is surprised that I expected there to be a lot more writing time, and a lot less bribing my son with PBS Kids (I've seriously considered dedicating my next book to Chris and Martin Kratt).

With a few big projects coming up, I knew I needed to find a time and a place to get some real writing done. And I knew that this wasn't going to happen with my wonderful, wonderful children tugging on my chair. So, I started looking into residencies. Most of them require a two week minimum stay, which just didn't seem feasible given those small children. I thought about renting a cottage or even a hotel room somewhere, but that seemed rather lonely. When I was younger, I took a solo road trip from New Hampshire down to Georgia and back up. Then, being alone was heavenly. Now, I don't think I could manage it.

Then someone (I believe it was Harold Underdown) tweeted about the Highlights Foundation offering Un-Conferences. I was familiar with the wonderful workshops offered by Highlights, but hadn't considered them because what I need is wide expanses of time (and maybe a little yoga). But the Un-Conference -- that sounded perfect. Here's what they said on their website:

All writers and artists need to give themselves time. Time to think. Time to imagine. Time to create.

All writers and artists need room. Room in their lives in which to create.

We have comfortable cabins. Nice walking and jogging trails. We even have yoga some mornings.

Yes, yes, and yes! Even better, you can stay as long as you want, and they feed you what I hear is delicious food in a big old barn.

So, I'm signed up to go. This time next week I will be in my cabin, typing away on my latest manuscript. I can't wait.

I'd love to hear about other residencies or retreats that people have done. Where'd you go? What worked for you? Did anything surprise you about the experience?