Writing Retreat

Seattle Downtown Skyline From Alki Beach Dawn by David Gn Photography

On Monday, I will fly to Seattle for a month-long writing retreat of my own design. My goals are to spend the majority of my days and evenings writing.  Many of them I will do where I am staying, and some I will do out and about in some of my favourite Seattle places (parks, cafes, on the water, etc.).  All and all, I think it’s going to be brilliant fun, relaxing, and I should be able to get a lot done.

Now, you may wonder, readers-mine, why I am going to Seattle (as opposed to the mountains, an actual conference, out of the country, or a convent) and I assure you, I have my reasons:

1. I am house-sitting for family friends in the home where I took my first steps.
2. The porch has the most gorgeous view of Seattle and the water–pretty much ever–and will be brilliant for working either during the day or at night.
3. The area where they live has cute little cafes and a beach within walking distance and the locals are awesome.
4. I can go to my old church and see people who are family, though not blood-related.
5.  I can see my friends easily, but I’m far enough away from everyone that I will have to drive to do so and therefore will have time to focus during the day as people won’t be randomly stopping by and I will have to make plans to see them.
6. It’s a great place for me to be alone the majority of the time, while allowing me to see people when I feel like it by either inviting them over or going to see them.
7. I’m not too far off from the ferries, so I can go spend time on the islands if I want to take a day to hike about or if I need the water to clear my head.
8. I’ll be twenty minutes from downtown when I want to people watch.
9. I’ll be about an hour from one of my favourite parks and two from one of my favourite park/mountains and all of the waterfalls those entail.
10. I can check out my old stomping grounds if I so choose or explore all the new things that have come about since I left.

Overall, I think it’s going to be a great way to get things done at my own pace without feeling like I need to be spending time with people 24/7.  The whole point of me going up there is to be able to leave everything else behind for a while and just write.  I’m hoping it will help me clear my head, keep my focus, and get work done so I can get back on track with deadlines and the like.