tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post6172095373841712164..comments2023-11-02T02:40:48.410-07:00Comments on Crime Fiction Collective: Some Retreats Launch You AheadL.J. Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-48938254596894756022012-06-29T17:49:02.412-07:002012-06-29T17:49:02.412-07:00Those places sound awesome. Now I just need to wri...Those places sound awesome. Now I just need to write enough to convince myself that I need to be there to write some more. :)Peter Reynardhttp://writebywriting.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-50073116134484977852012-06-28T19:57:01.326-07:002012-06-28T19:57:01.326-07:00Expected outcomes. The LoML takes an eight day tri...Expected outcomes. The LoML takes an eight day trip once a year with his buddies to play golf. I'm always sure I'll get a lot done. I'm always wrong. My expected outcome gets sabotaged by feelings of being alone. Too alone. It's weird.<br /><br />My dad is, right now, in a cabin on a lake in northern Manitoba only accessible by a float plane. He might be writing but more than likely he's drinking a martini and pontificating with whatever buddies have joined him. His lack of an expected outcome will give him the perfect one.<br /><br />The idea for RED TIDE came to me at a writers conference when I was supremely bored with the session I was attending. I went and found a quiet place at a bar and found this troubled woman with what I called at the time a cadaver dog. A totally unexpected outcome from a boring session.<br /><br />I've had to work to get back to the story of the manuscript I'm writing now. I hadn't touched it since March. Between now and then a book has been launched and another has gone out to beta readers. But it's been so hard to find my way back to this story. And it's a really good story.<br /><br />I guess what I've taken a gazillion words to say is that yeah, C.J., I get you. We find unexpected bonuses in places we'd least expect them and struggle when our plans for the "perfect" retreat go awry.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-29766067223213742032012-06-28T19:16:21.090-07:002012-06-28T19:16:21.090-07:00I struggle with this every day, trying to pack too...I struggle with this every day, trying to pack too much into the day and still have the energy to write. A solitary getaway sounds fantastic and would definitely stir my imagination for plots, but I think I'd prefer to spend my getaway time in a busy city, watching people, eavesdropping on conversations, and using the juicy bits I hear.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10384070533603453713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-14203006223518558732012-06-28T13:53:38.731-07:002012-06-28T13:53:38.731-07:00L.J. I agree taking a break between drafts is good...L.J. I agree taking a break between drafts is good to let the story settle. Storyboarding is my idea of vacation, so I usually think about a new idea whenever I'm waiting for feedback on a WIP or letting it sit a while.CJ Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13520787721959143183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-73095974516020714992012-06-28T12:07:34.677-07:002012-06-28T12:07:34.677-07:00It's been a longtime dream of mine to go away ...It's been a longtime dream of mine to go away all by myself for a writer's retreat. The image of a mountain cabin by the lake often pops into my head. But just like you, I wonder how much work I'd actually get done. There are always distractions no matter where you go. A cabin by the lake could certainly have them as well.<br /><br />But like you said, just because you're not writing doesn't mean you're not being productive. Sometimes a change in scenery is all it takes to spur your writers mind into that blissful and often elusive state of inspiration.ANDREW E. KAUFMANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835920472268730244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-31838098261425599122012-06-28T07:26:58.075-07:002012-06-28T07:26:58.075-07:00Thanks for a thoughtful post. I also develop a bet...Thanks for a thoughtful post. I also develop a better understanding of my story and characters when I can write every day for long periods of time. When life gets in the way, and I'm hit and miss with writing, it takes too long to get back into the story. <br /><br />Taking a writing break between drafts or novels is necessary too, so I don't get burnt out. I'm about at that point right now. Can't wait to recharge.L.J. Sellershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.com