What a writers’ retreat can do

I came home feeling recharged and inspired from Springfed Arts’ First Annual Lost Lake Writers’ Retreat. Poet Jack Ridl helped me realize I’m wastingmy time when I procrastinate when I could be writing. He shook his head and joked that, when it comes to poets, “Chemists think we’reblowing off our lives while they’re out creating a better toothpaste.” Jack obviously feelswriting is the better pursuit.

I need to stop giving into distractions and blowing off my writing life. My next novel isn’...