The Writing Staycation: Participant Perspectives

The Writing Staycation: Participant Perspectives

For me, one of the highlights of facilitating the Writing Staycation is getting to know a community of writers -- a young mom creating time to start a novel, a retired government worker writing a memoir, a lawyer taking a week’s vacation to focus on poetry, and an MFA short story writer polishing her submissions.

In preparation for the Fourth Writing Staycation, March 5-9, 2012, I asked some past participants to share their thoughts. Here’s what I heard back:

“The Writing Staycation at the Writer's Center in Bethesda was just what my writing partner and I needed to finish our novel, after almost six years of on-and-off work on it. Having the space, and a concentrated period of time to focus, was invaluable in terms of enabling us to work on our book, while the daily warm-up exercises and optional group discussions provided just the right amount of creative brainstorming and helpful advice we needed to keep us motivated.”
--Penelope B.

“The Staycation gave me the impetus to focus and write in a disciplined fashion. I was able to write the first two chapters of my novel, as well as benefit and learn from Zahara's knowledge, tips and exercises - the guest speakers (and snacks!) were also great!”
--Laura E.

“The Writing Staycation provided me with the time and space to focus entirely upon finishing a novel with my writing partner. It is worth investing in the time spent with other writers as the feeling of community and support is not easily captured elsewhere. Take the leap and you will be happy you did it!”
--Cherie S.

“The Staycation met my expectations for uninterrupted time to write in the company of other writers. I also met my goal to have my novelette ready for submission. I now have a clearer idea of the path ahead for this work. The supportive environment you provided at the Writer's Center was key.”
--Frank R.

Please consider joining us for the next Writing Staycation, and joining this rich community of writers.

-Zahara

Zahara Heckscher, M.A., is the co-author of the book How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas. She has also written numerous articles that have appeared in books and the online travel magazine www.TransitionsAbroad.com, where she serves as contributing editor. Heckscher teaches professional writing at University of Maryland at College Park. She is a breast cancer survivor who prefers to be known as a "cancer thriver." She blogs at www.cancerthriver.blogspot.com.

Creating Space and Time to Hear the Muse: The Writing Staycation with Zahara Heckscher

Writing confession: I cannot write at home. Yes, I often knock off emails and short articles at my desk. But my real writing – my novel, my poetry, my creative nonfiction – seems to require a break in the space-time continuum.

My muse speaks to me more clearly the farther I am from the stacks of paper, the laundry, the kitchen. Hate to admit it, but she also demands distance from my family.

I’ve always wanted to go to one of those retreat centers where I could do nothing but write all day and stare at the mountains or ocean. But as a busy mom and educator, that ain’t happening. So I create mini writing retreats when I can. My most productive times are writing sessions with other writers around me. If someone else is in the room with me writing, I am less likely to read the paper or check my emails.

I created the Writing Staycation for like minded souls. I welcome anyone who prefers an out-of-home writing experience, and anyone who wants to have the time and space, outside the normal routine, to hear the muse clearly.

At the Writing Staycation, I nurture the body and spirit of the participants so they’ll have the stamina to focus on the writing. The event features healthy snacks, plenty of coffee and tea, inspiring speakers, and tons of time to write.

If you’d like a sacred time and space to listen to your own muse, I hope you’ll join us for the upcoming Writing Staycation, November 7-11.

Zahara Heckscher is the workshop leader for the Writing Staycation workshop, which starts Monday 11/7 and continues through Friday 11/11 at TWC. You can sign up for her workshop here. She has blogged previously about the Writing Staycation on First Person Plural here and here.

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Zahara Heckscher, M.A., is the co-author of the book How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas. She has also written numerous articles that have appeared in books and the online travel magazine www.TransitionsAbroad.com, where she serves as contributing editor. Heckscher teaches professional writing at University of Maryland at College Park. She is a breast cancer survivor who prefers to be known as a "cancer thriver." She blogs at cancerthriver.blogspot.com.

Stealing Time To Write: The Writing Staycation

By Zahara Heckscher

After the back to school craziness passes and before the holiday insanity starts, there's a short lull in mid October. It's a perfect time to steal a week for your writing.

I've designed the Writing Staycation with people like you in mind -- folks who crave time to dedicate to their writing but just cannot get out of town for a week or afford the hefty fees for out of town writing retreats.

The Writing Staycation is five days of intensive writing, enough time for you to get a significant start on a new project, move forward with a current work, or polish a piece of writing before you send it off to the agent.

The Writing Staycation includes inspiring guest speakers, one-on-one sessions, and most of all, time to write. I’ll also pamper you with free coffee, specialty teas, and healthy snacks. I structure each day with a short warm up activity, a guest speaker for lunch, and an afternoon walk. All events are optional; those who want to simply write can write all day.

So tell the boss you're taking your vacation October 17-22. Tell the spouse and kids you'll still be home for dinner. Tell yourself that you deserve this time.

The past two Staycations have been exhilarating. I hope you can join us this time.




QUOTES FROM LAST WORKSHOP:


The Writer's Center Staycation allowed me the time and space to focus on my writing without the expense or time away from my family that most writers' retreats would demand.  Zahara brought in an impressive array of lunchtime speakers and the Writer's Center staff was very supportive in providing undisturbed space. I came away feeling refreshed and re-committed to my own process, and surprised at how much could be accomplished in one week. Thank you Staycation!  I'll be back!
-Johnna Schmidt
Director, Jimenez-Porter Writers' House

“It helped me finish the first draft of my novel. Thank you. I found the time and space to just focus on my writing very liberating.”

“The Staycation fills a need for a reasonably priced retreat option, especially for those of us who cannot leave town.”


"This was a fantastic experience. Zahara obviously thought a lot about how to structure the time in ways that would be inspiring as well as foster productivity."

"The Staycation made me feel like a real writer."

"It helped me rediscover my muse."

The Writing Staycation at The Writer's Center with Zahara Heckscher

This article originally appeared in the Winter/Spring 2011 Workshop & Event Guide. To watch a video of Zahara discussing the Staycation or to register, visit Writer.org.

Join Our Writing Retreat:
The Writing Staycation at The Writer’s Center
October 17-21

Zahara Heckscher

The poet E. Ethelbert Miller once told me, “Pay yourself first.”
He wasn’t talking about money, but time, and the obligation of a writer to herself—to first, before anything else, make time to write.
Time to write, time to write, time to write…

Most writers I know crave time to write like a chocaholic craves a chocolate lava truffle.

But nearly all writing retreats are expensive, two-week residential programs that require travel and have no accommodations for families. Such a budget and schedule are out of reach for most of us.

So with the support of The Writer’s Center, I created the Writing Staycation, a retreat for all of you who crave more time to write, want the structure of a retreat, but just can’t get out of town.

The first Staycation, in May of 2010, was a tremendous success. We had ten participants, including a lawyer-poet, a mom working on her memoirs, and a short story writer. One participant finished a draft of her novel, another wrote 18,000 words on his science fiction project, and a third worked on polishing her manuscript to prepare it for publication.

We’ve decided to do it again. The Writing Staycation will take place at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Each day will be organized around writing time, with optional activities including evening events, a daily neighborhood walk, and lunch speakers—an agent, a novelist, a short story writer, a poet, and a nonfiction author. All activities are elective. If you just want to write, write, write, you may do so. It’s your retreat.

I’ll be at your disposal all week as well. Whether you want help getting started with a new writing project, feedback on a draft manuscript, or strategies for getting published, I will be there. I’ll also pamper you with free coffee, specialty teas, and healthy snacks.

It’s your time to write. Pay yourself first. Join us for the Staycation.

Zahara Heckscher, M.A., is the co-author of the book How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas. She has also written numerous articles that have appeared in books and the online travel magazine www.TransitionsAbroad.com, where she serves as contributing editor. Heckscher teaches professional writing at University of Maryland at College Park. She is a breast cancer survivor who prefers to be known as a “cancer thriver.” She blogs at www.cancerthriver.blogspot.com.

Praise for the Staycation:

"The Staycation fills a need for a reasonably priced retreat option, especially for those of us who cannot leave town."
—Staycation Participant

"The Writer’s Center Staycation allowed me the time and space to focus on my writing without the expense or time away from my family that most writers’ retreats would demand. Zahara brought in an impressive array of lunchtime speakers and The Writer’s Center staff was very supportive in providing undisturbed space. I came away feeling refreshed and re-committed to my own process, and surprised at how much could be accomplished in one week. Thank you Staycation! I’ll be back!"

—Johnna Schmidt
Director Jimenez-Porter Writers’ House

"It helped me finish the first draft of my novel. Thank you. I found the time and space to just focus on my writing. Very liberating."
—Staycation Participant

Zahara Heckscher on Writing Staycation

In this clip workshop leader Zahara Heckscher discusses Writing Staycation, her week-long writers' retreat at The Writer's Center, which is coming up in March. Here's the description:

Do you dream of participating in a writing retreat, but can’t get out of town? This workshop, a non-residential week-long retreat at The Writer’s Center, is for you. Join us for an intensive, supportive, exhilarating, focused week of writing. Each day begins with a short reading and brief discussion. Then tons of time for working on your own writing–whether it is poetry, a novel, or nonfiction work in your brain, or a manuscript that needs some final polish. Optional lunch speakers, afternoon walks, and group shares.

If you're interested in the workshop after watching this video, you can register here.

Zahara Heckscher on Writing Staycation

Here's Zahara discussing Writing Staycation, her week-long writers' retreat at The Writer's Center, which is coming up in March. Here's the description:

Do you dream of participating in a writing retreat, but can’t get out of town? This workshop, a non-residential week-long retreat at The Writer’s Center, is for you. Join us for an intensive, supportive, exhilarating, focused week of writing. Each day begins with a short reading and brief discussion. Then tons of time for working on your own writing–whether it is poetry, a novel, or nonfiction work in your brain, or a manuscript that needs some final polish. Optional lunch speakers, afternoon walks, and group shares.

If you're interested in the workshop after watching this video, you can register here.

Zaraha Heckscher's Writing Staycation: A Week Long Writing Retreat at The Writer’s Center

Our guest today is Zaraha Heckscher, a new workshop leader and co-author of the book How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas. She has also written numerous articles that have appeared in books and the online travel magazine TransitionsAbroad.com, where she serves as Contributing Editor. Heckscher teaches professional writing at the University of Maryland at College Park. She is a breast cancer survivor who prefers to be known as a "cancer thriver." She blogs at cancerthriver.blogspot.com.
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This winter, while editing the manuscript for my novel, I had a vision: A quiet space where I could spend a week focusing on nothing but my writing. Preferably in the company of other writers to help me stay focused. With a few workshops and other treats. In other words, a writing retreat.

Then I checked into writing retreats and discovered that most are two week residential programs that require expensive travel and have no accommodations for families. That doesn’t fit my budget or my busy schedule as a working mom.

So I called The Writer’s Center. Sunil and Charlie agreed with me that there must be many people out there looking for a practical, affordable in-town writing retreat.

With their help, I’ve created a Writing Staycation – a retreat for all of you who crave more time to write, want the structure of a retreat, but just can’t get out of town.

The Writing Staycation will take place at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Monday through Friday, June 7-11, from 10 am to 5 pm with optional evening activities.

My goal for the Writing Staycation is to create an atmosphere that feels like we’re in the cabin in the woods. A sacred space, in the middle of busy Bethesda. Sacred time in the middle of your busy life, for you to write, write, write.

Each day will be organized around writing time, with optional activities including lunch-time speakers, dinner events, and a daily neighborhood walk.

I’m thrilled that I have been able to secure some wonderful lunch speakers for the retreat, all successful writers with different perspectives on the writing life. The guest speakers will stay after their presentations for one-on-one sessions with participants who want some extra advice and support – for example, ideas on poetry workshops from NPR commentator Reuben Jackson or personalized tips on finding an agent from Shannon O'Neill of the Sagalyn Literary Agency.

Our other speakers will include Charles Jensen, poet and Director of The Writer's Center, and James Mathews, author of Last Known Position, a winner of the Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Short Fiction.

I’ll be at your disposal all week as well. Whether you want help getting started with a new writing project, feedback on a draft manuscript, or strategies for getting published, I will be there. I’ll also create a packet for each participant with writings, resources, and worksheets to help you stay on track with your writing project.

I’ll also pamper you a bit with free coffee, specialty teas, and healthy snacks.

For those who can stay in the evening, we’ll have dinner events that build community, develop skills, and provide more time for writing.

And my own writing? My manuscript is almost complete thanks to other Writer's Center classes. But if there is a spare moment at the retreat, I’ll have pen and paper available to jot down ideas for my next project.

Sign up for the Writing Staycation or learn more at The Writer's Center's Web site.