Saturday, October 3, 2015

Our Vashonista retreat so far

Deb at work
When we Vashonistas decided to get together for an entire six days this year, Deb agreed to organize a writing retreat for us while we are here. We already knew this setting well, having been here three times before, but now we not only have plenty of time, but we also are learning some great techniques to free up our inner writers. It's Saturday morning, and by this time in earlier visits, we would have only this one full day left to enjoy not only each other, but this wonderful Lavender Hill Farm setting. This year, we don't need to pack up and leave until Tuesday!

Deb gave us all copies of Stephen King's book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, which is almost impossible to put down (like most of his books), but we've been very busy. We started on Thursday night after dinner (hence my short post), and yesterday we worked very hard together. I have been to writing workshops before, but it's been a long time, and I have not only already learned some new tools to move myself from stuck writing places, but also how to find buried treasures within myself.
Listening to our esteemed guest
And last night, Linda Reeder joined us for dinner. She lives in Seattle and was one of the original bloggers we hoped would become part of this group in the beginning. She's a very busy person but made the time to take the ferry ride to Vashon Island and meet us in person. We all know each other so very well from our blogs, so she slipped into the gathering as if she had always been here. She writes on Linda Letters and posts about her travels, family, home, and gardens galore.

The picture above shows how we have been working together: Deb would give us a prompt, such as "Beneath the surface" or "Find yourself in a car" and give us either a short time (five minutes) or a longer one (fifteen) and we write, longhand, in our notebooks. I've already discovered that writing that way, rather than on a laptop, frees up something inside, as if writing it down longhand allows another aspect of creativity to be loosened.

Linda joined us for that second prompt (finding oneself in a car) and we all shared what that brought up for us. It was so much fun! The very full day yesterday made me struggling to keep my eyes opened by 8:30pm. (Who am I kidding? That's when I always fall asleep.)

And now it's the next day, Saturday morning. I hear the creaking floorboard above me, letting me know that my fellow early riser (Deb) has begun her day, too. I think I'll go join her to start today's adventure!
:-)

19 comments:

  1. I just passed the 100 page mark of the novel I'm enthusiastically writing. And I just joined two writer's groups. I hope they will be as fun as yours.

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  2. Prompts and conversation are certainly activities that can bring change. Also use lists and then pare the list down and you will find that you are more focused. EG favorite singers. There's my hot tip for the day.

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  3. I am in a local writers group and find the work as well as the camaraderie helpful and fun. What a wonderful week and a plus is the beautiful surroundings.

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  4. what a lovely and inspiring time!

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  5. Girl's weekends are always so much fun. I would love to be part of a writer's group. I consider myself more a photographer than writer, so I could use lots of help! :) Enjoy your weekend.

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  6. I used to write blogs longhand in the beginning because that is the only way it worked for me. Since then I have made the transition. You gals have a fun weekend! :)

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  7. It sounds like fun. I would love to join your group if I lived a bit closer. I much prefer writing longhand and use it for my diaries and travel journals.

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  8. I just posted about my visit yesterday. then I found your post. OMG, I look just like my father in that photo, gestures and all!
    My experience with you all yesterday was wonderful. Thank you so much. and believe me, I have was hyper aware of my writing as I posted just now. I have an important audience. That's a good thing.

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  9. It's so great that Linda managed to join you for this writing retreat. I love that living room with all of you seated.

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  10. that's awesome! recognized linda's name as a frequent commenter here (as per above.) :)

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  11. Happy adventuring.
    And, how nice to hear of another person who is NOT a night owl.

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  12. What a great group you have. Love prompt writing. It is so spontaneous and stimulating. Some of my best stuff has come from such group exercises. Keep expanding and enjoying.

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  13. What a treasured time these retreats must be for all of you! Writing, friendship, time away from the everyday to spend with kindred spirits: Priceless!

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  14. DJan...you stayed up even later Saturday night. It's 9:15 and you're just heading down the stairs!

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  15. I think that is why I still love to write handwritten letters. There's just something more intimate about pen and paper for me. When I was in college (at 48) at first I wrote all my papers out in longhand and then typed them up, but I made that transition to total keyboard after a couple years. I discovered that I cannot write poetry on a computer, though. For that I need a comfy chair, paper, pen, and quiet. When I do write-write on the computer (even the blog or long emails) I do need it to be quiet then, too...like it had to be when I was working on a school paper or something for one of my writing classes.

    This sounds like such a fun and challenging gathering--and in such beautiful surroundings, too! Wow! I'm glad Linda was able to join you all for a while. Can't wait to hear more. :)

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  16. Oh my gosh!!! This is just the coolest thing! How fabulous that you all got together and Linda joined you too. Yae!

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  17. Sounds like so much fun...and productive too. Such a learning experience. Beautiful companionship, sunny rooms, wonderful time together. All's well!!!

    I find myself in a car traveling alone on a desolate highway. To the west, in front of me, the sun sets as the colors of my world change from indigo to a rainbow of warm hues, rich in golden yellows and deep tangerines....darkness will soon fall over me with stars to guide me on my trip .... in the car.

    How's that for writing?

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  18. Dear DJan, I left a comment on your other blog about your annual meeting and what you are doing this year. It all sounds so wonderful. Discovering something new about writing and about your own particular response to life is a wonder. Thank you for sharing all this with us. I've read the King book on writing. Now I need to read it again. You and what you are experiencing have inspired me. Thank you. Peace.

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  19. Great post, DJan! You captured the experience so well! I am catching up on reading and commenting, and even managed to write a post myself, imagine that! (And I wrote it longhand, first!) hugs to you!

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