The idea of a dreamy writing retreat with buckets of free time to write is something writers fantasise about. But with the typically large price tag, here’s how to create a cheap or completely free version of your own.
Stuck in a creative rut? Struggling with writer’s block? Or determined to find dedicated time to finally finish your writing project? A writing retreat could be the answer to your prayers.
Writing retreats have boomed in popularity in recent years and many writers swear by them. Not only do they provide a relaxing break from daily life but they also offer a stretch of free time for you to get your head down and do some deep work on your work-in-progress.
While they look immensely appealing, writing retreats can be expensive and not accessible for everyone. (However, there are plenty of competitions out there that offer a free place on a writing retreat as part of their prize package.)
But if you want to create the conditions and cosy atmosphere of a writing retreat without breaking the bank, why not set up your very own solo writing retreat?
An affordable alternative to a traditional writing retreat
Some writing retreats at dedicated creative writing centres can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds. If that is out of your budget range, don’t worry. You can still have a few days away, filled with blissful free time to write, without running up a huge bill.
For a more affordable alternative, book one or a few nights away in an accommodation of your choice. Look on AirBnB, TripAdvisor or Booking.com to find a cosy flat with a wood fire or a cottage set in the heart of idyllic countryside or a cabin nestled in the woods. If you’re not too fussy about the accommodation, search for cheap hotels, B&Bs or rentals in your chosen location.
Once you’ve found the perfect place to stay and identified some dates that work for you, get it booked and start getting excited!
To plan your retreat, you could make some notes on the current project and set a target you want to hit by the end of your time away. Block out time in the day where you’re most productive and dedicate that time to quiet, uninterrupted writing. Or maybe you want to take the pressure off and let the words flow without a specific goal; it’s your retreat so design it as you see fit.
Make sure to pack everything you need to make the most of your retreat. Your must-haves might include plenty of snacks for sustenance, your favourite roast coffee or herbal tea, craft books and notebooks, headphones and walking boots.
You could also build in rewards for meeting your targets like having dinner at a local restaurant in the area you’ve travelled to, visiting a museum or writing from a local coffee shop or cafe.
A completely free version of a writing retreat
Staying at home for your writing retreat might not sound glamorous. But trust me, you can make it feel luxurious, cosy and conducive to some productive writing time.
For the free solo writing retreat option, choose a weekend where you have no plans, commitments or chores to do. (If you have holidays to take from work, you might like to do a mid-week retreat to have some dedicated solo time when everyone else in your household is out at work or school.) Next, plan how you’d like to spend your time. Here are some ideas to ponder:
- Prepare meals in advance to cut down on cooking time
- Dig out some bath bombs and salts, light candles, grab a book and have a long soak in the bath
- Tidy your desk or set up a cosy space to write somewhere else in your home
- Create a ritual around your writing time (for example: burn some incense, stick on your favourite instrumental playlist, write some intentions for your writing session, light the fire if you have one, etc.)
- Plan a long walk and daydream, listen to an audiobook or podcast interview with your favourite author
- Join a free online writing event (find these on Eventbrite) or co-writing call
- Visit your local library and write from there
- Meet up with a writer friend to discuss your projects and/or write together
- Do a digital detox and stay off social media to give yourself a distraction-free setting
- Give yourself a practice-based or outcome-based goal to hit by the end of your retreat
If the idea of planning a solo retreat in your own home isn’t doing it for you, why not ask a friend or family member if you can do a house-swap with them for the weekend? This way, you’ll be in a new and fresh environment.
Whether you choose to take yourself away to a hotel for a few days or stay in the comfort of your own home, there are plenty of ways to use your creativity to plan an enjoyable and productive solo writing retreat.
Sophie Campbell is a fiction writer and freelance creative copywriter and content writer. You can find her on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and her website.