The "holiday" desk
It’s one of those things I’ve always wanted to do but always been too scared to. What if you pay stupid money for a week to yourself and write NOTHING? See, scary biscuits. But hey, if now isn’t the time to try out stuff like that (what with the freelancing and all) I don’t know when is.
Turns out, I did do a bunch of writing, but I think it helped that I spent the time working on something that was already quite substantial. Having to come up with new stuff out of the blue in a relatively short space of time might have been a bit daunting.
For that, I think I’d prefer a communal environment, rather rattling round on my own for a week (how happy am I that I stayed sane despite only having one conversation for the whole time I was away?). So next on the list? Arvon I reckon, anyone been on one? Did you love it?
Lynsey May 
I’d love to do this. I figure the best time will be when I am nearing the end of my novel, slipping off somewhere isolated for that one final push. I did go on an Arvon course recently, a fantastic experience. I posted about it here:
http://danpowellfiction.com/2012/04/27/a-retreat-is-as-good-as-a-rest/
I would not hesitate to recommend a visit to Arvon to any writer.
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That does sound excellent, I must start saving up!
I think that’s the perfect time to do it, I timed the trip to coincide with the last 15% of a first draft and it really helped.
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I can only re-iterate Dan’s comments about Arvon courses. I went to Totleigh Barton in Devon in 2007 and it was a wonderful week. Worth its weight in gold (and more!).
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I’ve been hearing so many good things, I’m just going to have to save up and do one. There’s no two ways about it.
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What was your one conversation?
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When I called Fin half way through to reassure him I was still alive.
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Lynsey, that sounds like such a great thing to do! I keep talking about how i’d love to go on a writers retreat to get away from all the distractions and just focus. Might give it a go, but I wonder (like you said) if it would be good to go with a bunch of people. Though, there’s the risk we would just sit and drink and talk about writing instead 😉
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There is that risk, especially if there’s wine involved. That said, i don’t think I mentioned in the post that I read, like, eight novels while I was away, so it’s not as though I went pedal to the metal, and I still felt like I got a lot done! I very much recommend the whole experience.
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