A Writing Retreat with Inspiration, Hard Lessons, and Plenty of Cheese

By Meg Robson Mahoney

I settle with my coffee at the front of the house and gaze out the window. The dogwood tree is dropping its cherries, round, red, calling to be swept away. Beyond the windowpane, a hummingbird hovers over pink blossoms on my abelia bush, which needs to be trimmed. But the garden can wait. I’m feeling inspired.

What keeps us going as we write? Willpower or inspiration? I’m good at the persistence part—showing up and slogging along. But inspiration? It comes and goes...