How Plotting and Pedicures Can Work for You by Connie Vines
We've all heard it said that writing is a solitary art. Is that why we find ourselves creating such deep bonds with other writers who share our passion/obsession? For whatever the reason, my closest friends are fellow writers. In fact, we're not so much friends as soul mates caught up on a similar life journey.
While many of my writing friends are cyber friends, conference friends, and RWA Chapters friends, I am fortunate to have several local friends. One of which I have know since my salad-days when I served on the board of the Pomona Valley Writers' Association.
Several years ago the three of us decided to take a brain-storming retreat in order to take our writing and careers a step further. We also wanted to reward ourselves for hard-won accomplishments, to to celebrate our successes.
I kept a journal of what went on. I can't say the structure (or lack there of) will work for every critique group, or circle of writing friends, but it worked for us.
Creating your own Writing Getaway.
Divide up the duties. The location, schedule, food, and spa, All require planning. There were three of us. We each emailed each other with update and choices.Secure the location. The room needs to be large enough but must also fit everyone's budget.Rough-out a schedule. One person should be a time keeper. We worked in two-hour increments with breaks in between. That way we could focus on one person's story. This helped because discussions can become rather tense and we needed a break.Parameters and Goals. Everyone should state what she/he needs to come away with. There will be homework. I plot using The Writer's Journey, Pam is a GMC devotee, and Bev is a seat-of -your-pants writer. Of course there were empty spaces in our plots but we all had the Beginning, Middle, and End sort-of figured out.Be honest--not brutal. Enjoy. Life is all about the journey.So were did we meet up? Since we all live in southern California, we took a discount flight to San Francisco (an hour away) and stayed in a quaint little hotel down town. We were able to walk a couple of miles to a cafe with great local fair (minus the tourist prices). The next morning, hopped a cable car to the Fisherman's Wharf to gain some some plotting time while view the bay.
Our weekend was the most rewarding getaway I've done for myself since I sold my first novel. I recommend a retreat to anyone who can find the time. You don't need to fly to get there. Though I am not an enthusiastic camper, I can pitch a tent and unwillingly sleep on the ground. Or, book a room at a local bed and breakfast during off season.
End result? We each finished the plotting out our novels and had a good working knowledge of our characters quirks and goals. And a deeper friendship too.
Happy Writing & Reading!
Connie
The Franciscan--our final night in town.
Remember, I'm not a 'camping' kinda girl :-).
While many of my writing friends are cyber friends, conference friends, and RWA Chapters friends, I am fortunate to have several local friends. One of which I have know since my salad-days when I served on the board of the Pomona Valley Writers' Association.
Several years ago the three of us decided to take a brain-storming retreat in order to take our writing and careers a step further. We also wanted to reward ourselves for hard-won accomplishments, to to celebrate our successes.I kept a journal of what went on. I can't say the structure (or lack there of) will work for every critique group, or circle of writing friends, but it worked for us.
Creating your own Writing Getaway.
Divide up the duties. The location, schedule, food, and spa, All require planning. There were three of us. We each emailed each other with update and choices.Secure the location. The room needs to be large enough but must also fit everyone's budget.Rough-out a schedule. One person should be a time keeper. We worked in two-hour increments with breaks in between. That way we could focus on one person's story. This helped because discussions can become rather tense and we needed a break.Parameters and Goals. Everyone should state what she/he needs to come away with. There will be homework. I plot using The Writer's Journey, Pam is a GMC devotee, and Bev is a seat-of -your-pants writer. Of course there were empty spaces in our plots but we all had the Beginning, Middle, and End sort-of figured out.Be honest--not brutal. Enjoy. Life is all about the journey.So were did we meet up? Since we all live in southern California, we took a discount flight to San Francisco (an hour away) and stayed in a quaint little hotel down town. We were able to walk a couple of miles to a cafe with great local fair (minus the tourist prices). The next morning, hopped a cable car to the Fisherman's Wharf to gain some some plotting time while view the bay.
Our weekend was the most rewarding getaway I've done for myself since I sold my first novel. I recommend a retreat to anyone who can find the time. You don't need to fly to get there. Though I am not an enthusiastic camper, I can pitch a tent and unwillingly sleep on the ground. Or, book a room at a local bed and breakfast during off season.
End result? We each finished the plotting out our novels and had a good working knowledge of our characters quirks and goals. And a deeper friendship too.
Happy Writing & Reading!
Connie
The Franciscan--our final night in town.Remember, I'm not a 'camping' kinda girl :-).
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