Thursday, May 28, 2009

Sound the Retreat!

Finding time to write without distractions is a challenge. My children, both young adults, are on their own, so parenting is no longer an issue. The culprits are those dinner plans that creep into an exciting rescue or tender love scene, or the grocery list that competes with my list of revisions. Telephone calls and bills requiring payment derail my search for those perfect phrases. Appointments, laundry, and cats demanding hugs all conspire to thwart the start of a brand-new chapter. What’s a writer to do?

Writing before the rest of the house is up and about usually works—unless I start by checking e-mail or posting "just one excerpt" so I’ll feel like I’ve done some marketing/promo. Another precious block of writing time gone. Combining my periodic hankerings to travel to Ireland with attending a wonderful writing retreat near the West Cork village of Eyeries works even better. I’ve taken refuge at Anam Cara Writer’s and Artist’s Retreat on the remote and beautiful Beara Peninsula several times now. Each time I do, I get more than a month’s worth of writing done in a week, and I’ve found that having no internet access isn’t a bad thing. (Gracious retreat owner Sue Booth-Forbes reports that Anam Cara has gone wireless since my last visit, but I may pretend it hasn’t.)

What can a writing retreat do besides provide reasonably priced relief from mundane chores? That depends on what you want. Whether you’re interested in structured workshops or uninterrupted time to simply sit and think, most offer both. Anam Cara does, though the only structure in which I’m interested is the schedule for Sue’s fabulous meals. Simply leaving my normal environment provides a tremendous boost of creativity, and I know I’ll enjoy wonderful walking paths and vibrant conversations with other retreat residents.
Worried about sitting in that chair all day? Most writing retreats, Anam Cara included, offer fitness equipment, whirlpools, and massage. The Beara Peninsula’s spectacular scenery begs visitors to take a hike, or at least a pleasant walk. No need to recreate the historic march of Donal Cam O'Sullivan Bere (1561–1613), the last leader of the Sullivan clan.

This city girl walked right by a herd of cows (wondering if they’d attack) and happily soaked her shoes on a gorgeous bog dotted with sheep. On my first bog walk, I met a guardian angel border collie who guided me over barely visible paths I never would have found on my own.

I’m off for another working mini-vacation soon. A bus will take me from Shannon Airport to Cork City, where I’ll spend a day raiding my favorite bookstores and finding new music. The shuttle that will take me to Anam Cara will pass dramatic scenery and rustic villages that will bask in Ireland’s summer sunlight well after ten p.m.

And I’ll bask in the quiet.

10 comments:

  1. Pat--I am about to die of envy. I'd love to be at that very place--It sounds so lovely, and your photos surely inspire one to write poetically. A writing retreat sounds so much nicer than a conference. A retreat would be more to my liking, although--I've never attended either. One day....such a beautiful post. Celia

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  2. Same here, what Celia said! I've yet to attend a writing retreat but it's in the books for "some day" -- right now I do have the parenting thing. It's nice to have, but it makes retreats not likely for a while.

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  3. How exciting to travel and stay at a writing retreat. I don't know if I'd be able to chain myself to the computer with such tempting scenery around. Please give us a full report on your next retreat so that we can live vicariously through you!

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  4. Wow, it sounds heavenly. I went for 10 day drive around south Ireland in 2004 with my brother and sister-in-law. Never had such a restful vacation. (We went 1000 miles) I will keep the info you wrote about and perhaps will join you someday in the green hills of Ireland once again.

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  5. PAT!
    I'm so envious! I would love to go to a writers' retreat! We have a lot of Irish ancestry in our family. In fact, weirdly enough, I named my son CASEY without knowing it was a family name until my great aunt "congratulated" me on keeping the "old family name alive"--I had no clue. LOL We'll want to hear all about your wonderful time at the retreat, of course! Boy, I would LOVE to do that! I bet you get a lot of writing done.
    Cheryl

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  6. I'm so happy you all stopped by! Celia, I'm not a conference person myself. Anam Cara is my kind of place, and the owner's philosophy is that a nurturing environment inspires creativity. Loraine, your kids will grow up so fast you won't believe it. Enjoy them now! Maggie, that scenery is a problem. One resident said she had to keep her window shade down or she'd never get anything done. Cheryl, how strange that you named your child Casey! Perhaps some bygone ancestor put the idea in your head. After reading Maggie's blog today, I wouldn't be surprised! And my Anonymous friend, I hope to meet you in those green hills one day. Wear a shamrock so I'll know you! Thanks, everyone!

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  7. Sounds like a wonderful opportunity to write and relax! Have a great time!!!

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  8. Thanks, Kathleen. It's amazing how much more you can write when you can relax!

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  9. Pat, Have a wonderful time! Will you be starting something new or completing a current WIP while on retreat?

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  10. Hi Dawn. I hope to finish at least a first draft of the final chapters of Salty Roses soon. You should be making good progress on your pirate story. Can't wait to read it! Thanks for stopping by.

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