There is absolutely no excuse for me not finding time to write. I am newly retired, living with just hubby and our Springer Spaniel, with enough space to spread out and resources at the ready. You get the picture.
Yet, distractions pop up. Sometimes I actually invite interruptions that slow down the grind of getting words on paper, so to speak.
A retreat can be the perfect motivation to focus and make some progress on your writing projects. Imagine escaping to a beautiful location, for days at a time, with the sole purpose of writing to your heart’s content. This past week, The Modern Schoolhouse was the perfect venue for a local group of writers gathering to do just that.
Set amid the peaceful surroundings of rural Bruce County, the beautifully restored historic Pinkerton schoolhouse has all the amenities of a five star hotel while being very comfortable and cozy. Numerous large windows in the stone building provide abundant natural light and the view from my perch included a pretty river meandering through the back of the property. Idyllic!
When like-minded folks immerse ourselves in a retreat atmosphere, a rhythm is created for the time together; spending as much time writing as we wish, reading, taking walks, etc. There is always time for inspiring chats. Gathering with others for meals provides a chance to catch up on each other’s projects and problem solving story lines and other technical dilemmas needing attention. It is guaranteed there will be plenty of mutual support and cheering-each-other-along as well.
Taking the time to prioritize writing this way can feel indulgent but inevitably the remarkable inspiration and energy generated carries over when we return to working alone in our nooks at home.
The Modern Schoolhouse is an ideal location for any number of gatherings; a getaway with friends, family reunions or workplace training and team meetings. It would be ideal for small groups working on creative endeavours as well – art classes, music practice,study groups. For anyone planning an event I would highly recommend checking the website and following up to see what is possible.
Maybe when you think of a retreat you picture beaches, European castles or exotic locales. All of which require much more time and resources. How lucky are we to have such a gem as The Modern Schoolhouse so close to home?
