Today I’m heading to the Writer’s Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to do something that I never thought I’d do — attend a writer’s retreat.
Writer’s retreats are things I dream about. Sometimes I catch myself perusing Air BnB for the perfect little escape off the beaten path. I think of all the things I’d like to work on when I finally have some solitude, or just a quiet space where I’m not nagged by chores or papers that need grading. And ultimately I never do it because it’s always expensive, because I don’t have enough free time to do it, or because I just don’t think it’s in the cards right now.
Well, that has changed.
The Writer’s Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs reached out to the Women Bloggers for a group of writery bloggers to come to a free retreat in exchange for some bloggy and social media love. So, in addition to the writer’s retreat experience, we’re also getting tours of downtown Eureka Springs and a haunted hotel.
This is basically my dream scenario. Pretty much the only thing I write about is ghosts. And pretty much the only thing I love more than writing about ghosts is seeing ghosts!
I’m also very excited to have the opportunity to do this with some really awesome women. Mari Farthing, Heather Davis, and Rebecca Loper will all be attending.
I’ve got a bag packed full of projects to work on. I want to focus on a short story that’s been banging around my head for a couple of years. I’ve only managed to get about 1,500 words of it on paper, but I’m optimistic that this will be the weekend that good things happen for that story. I’m also bringing a half-baked novel outline to keep on deck for when I hit a point in the short story where I need to back away.
And naturally, I’ll have my journal with me. I posted about In Your Own Words Journaling on Instagram earlier this week, and I’m definitely bringing those journaling prompts with me. I may use them first thing in the morning, or as warm-ups for working on other projects. Or hell, if I find that I’m unable to write anything else (God forbid) then I’ll hit my journal hard.
If you’re interested in following along on my trip to the Writer’s Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, I’ll be posting quite a bit on Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. I may say something over on Facebook, but most likely I won’t. (I mean, I may share an Instagram post or two directly to my page, but that’s it.)
And of course, you know me. When I go out of town, I have to make a hashtag about it. So, follow #MarisawritesDairyHollow and you can keep up with all my shenanigans.
Have you ever attended a writer’s retreat? Anything special I should do in Eureka Springs?
I’m really envious of this. I have done a writing retreat before, but it was a self-guided DIY thing when I took myself to the artist’s casita outside of Taos. It was the BEST THING EVER and I want to do it again sometime, only this time I will take advantage of Julia Roberts living a mile down the road and you know, like invite her over for girls’ night or something.
Ummmm. That sounds amazing. If you make this happen, please let me know. Also, Mari Farthing and I want to get a group together to come back here and stay for a few days. It’s like $75 a person per day, and we can all carpool down here. If you’re down, you’re on the list.
To be fair, you don’t only write ghosts. You also write very sad children. =D
Have fun on your trip, and godspeed!
…that is very true.
Thank you Mr. Dickson! So far, it’s been splendid.
I know you’re already into your weekend, but I didn’t have a chance to comment on this when I first read it. This sounds amazing! It’s so cool you’re there!
Thanks, Crystal! This has been one of the best things I’ve ever done.