#IWSG: Retreat From Harsh Reality

It's the first Wednesday and time for the Insecure Writers Support Group, whose mission is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. And thanks to this month's awesome hosts: Stephen Tremp, Fundy Blue, MJ Fifield, Loni Townsend, Bish Denham, Susan Gourley, and Stephanie Faris!

Every spring, the Mid-Michigan chapter of Romance Writers of America hosts an annual event—the Retreat From Harsh Reality. The retreat started as a weekend “pajama party” in a dorm at Western Michigan University back in 1985. Over the years it’s changed somewhat. For starters, a nicer venue—no bringing your own towels and bedding. This year was our second at Bay Pointe Inn, a lovely lakeside hotel with restaurant and conference room.

One thing hasn’t changed. The retreat is not a conference. No rushing from one workshop to another. We have one speaker, an author. No agents or editors. Not that we don’t appreciate the last two, but they would change the dynamics of the relaxed atmosphere. It’s a jeans and T-shirt kind of weekend. Someone’s husband suggested pajama pants to save time dressing. We could, since the only males were the wait staff.

Our schedule (yes, we do have one) allows for plenty of down time. Time to chat with chapter members we only see at retreat. Our members come from all over Michigan—Traverse City to Midland to St. Joseph to Detroit (even though the Detroit area has their own chapter). We have time to pick each other’s brains, as I did Betty Meyette about putting my books up in audio format. We have time to write and a quiet place to do so. Or we can take a nap, again as I did, and let all that we heard from our speaker percolate.

For all the wonderful getting reacquainted time as well as meeting new people, the best part is our speaker. This year, the hilarious, photojournalist and NYT best-selling author Christie Craig came from Texas to entertain, educate, and motivate (her words). And, wow, did she ever. She set the tone on Friday night and right away we knew she was going to be fun and why she calls herself a storyteller. With one story after another, Christie had us laughing until our sides ached. On Saturday morning, she told me exactly what was wrong with my WIP. How did she know??? I’ve been writing and going to retreats and conferences since 1993. Still, I always learn something new. I’ve never had such an “ah ha!” moment as I did last Saturday. My roommate, who has been writing longer than me, said she had several “ah ha” moments.

I always come home from retreat raring to get back to my WIP. Even better that now I know what’s wrong with it. If you ever want a relaxed weekend for writers, come to Mid-Michigan RWA’s Retreat From Harsh Reality next spring. You’ll have fun.

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Retreat vs Conference

Have you ever been to a conference? Keynote speaker, workshops every hour, luncheon speaker, more workshops, appointments with agents or editors. Very informative. In fact, so informative it feels like your head will explode if you hear one more fact.

What about a retreat? According to dictionary.com, there are numerous definitions for the word retreat:

1.      the forced or strategic withdrawal of an army or an armed force before an enemy, or the withdrawing of a naval force from action.

2.      the act of withdrawing, as into safety or privacy; retirement; seclusion.

3.      a place of refuge, seclusion, or privacy:

4.      an asylum, as for the insane.

5.      a retirement or a period of retirement for religious exercises and meditation.

Think about definitions #2 and 3. For writers. A retreat from harsh reality. An escape from rejections, writer’s block, a family who doesn’t understand a writer’s needs, industry dire predictions. Like any occupation, writing can get you down. The worst is that writing is a solo job. You’re on your own.

Every year since 1985, my writers’ group (Mid-Michigan RWA) sponsors the Retreat From Harsh Reality. (I wrote about the retreat last April after it was over, when I was still riding the high from this great event.) Originally, the chapter members wanted a “pajama party” where they could hang out, talk, relax, share. One of the members gave a talk about writing or the industry. No agents, no editors. No business suits. Jeans and T-shirts were proper attire. A real laid-back weekend where writers could recharge their batteries.

We now have an outside speaker—last year, Rita Clay Estrada came; this year, it’s Christie Craig. Besides one talk, our speaker hangs out with us. We get to know her and vice versa in an informal setting. No longer do we stay in college dorms. A lakeside resort is a lot more comfortable.

I’ve attended both conferences and retreats. Each has benefited me. I’ve learned a lot at conferences, met industry professionals, made contacts. At this point in my career, I prefer the retreat. I always return home refreshed, renewed, and energized.

If you’d like more information about Mid-Michigan RWA’s Retreat From Harsh Reality, go to http://www.retreatfromharshreality.com/

What works best for you? An organized conference or a laid-back retreat?