The Insecure Writer’s Support Group
July 1 question – There have been many industry changes in the last decade, so what are some changes you would like to see happen in the next decade?
A Writing Dream
Ideally, I would love to be able to think of a scene and that scene getting typed up grammatically correct and formatted perfectly just by my thinking it. Diction would be okay if I didn’t have to insert period, comma, new paragraph, and so forth.
Given all that, I don’t see it happening…
When I first started writing, I would read about various writing retreats – homes that had been turned into a permanent writer’s retreat, where a writer could come for a week, two weeks, or a month at a time and just write.
Ernest Hemingway had his own retreat in Key West. Something like that could work. Or, a castle in England, Wales, or Ireland; yes, that could work, too.
In my mind’s eye, though, I see a big rambling Victorian-like house with a large wrap-around porch, with someone cooking the meals, someone else cleaning the rooms, gardener, and general maintenance person. And best of all, a setting that I’d never get tired of. Mountains in the background, a lake, large river, or even an ocean in the foreground, with the house up on a bluff out of rising waters’ way.
All I’d have to do is mentor, teach, and write.
Yup, if I ever become successful enough where I’m able to have my own private retreat and a writer’s retreat where I could teach and pay forward everything I’ve ever learned and bring in other writers to teach…that would be ideal. The last thing on my bucket list.
Of course, you did notice that my literary success has to come first, right?
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Behind the Scenes with Diana Stout, MFA, PhD 
I’d be the first to book a reservation. I am SO missing the chance to gather with other writers these past few months . . . and unfortunately the next few, as well. Other writers are out creative batteries!
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That’s a pretty grand dream – they say it’s good to aim high! I don’t know if I would bother with the staff. The isolation is suiting me at the moment. A retreat with other writers for a weekend would be lovely, though. It’s something I’ve never done.
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Nick, I’ve done quite a few of the weekend retreats and they are the best! Of course, now with the COVID-19, they’ve all been canceled and of everything I’ve not been able to do, those are the meetings I miss the most.
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Yes! When I was little and first started writing a book, I always said I wished I could plug a cord into my head and just print out my book as I imagined it.
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I’d love a permanent writing retreat! I also would like a sprawling Victorian house, preferably overlooking the beach, or at least a beautiful river like the Danube or Mississippi.
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The minute I was in Vicksburg standing on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi, I knew I could live there…providing I had a house on the bluff.
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I second all your (fictional) industry changes in this post! I’d love for my “head writing” to effortlessly – and exactly – turn into “real writing” automatically. And, if you ever establish that retreat, I’d love to move in and stay for a looooong while!!! Sign me up, please.
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Maybe someday you will make it happen!
Funny, a device that could transfer a story to the page perfectly from one’s brain was a few others’ picks this week.
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Great minds thinking alike. 🙂
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