Writing Retreat

I'm going on a writing holiday, no more working for a day or two.

Hang on, that's wrong. I'll be working all week! But I'll be having fun as well!

Thanks to my wonderful, supportive, loving family (who I don't thank enough) I'm winging my way to Co. Cork to the Anam Cara Writing Retreat for seven days of dedicated writing and relaxation. My plan is to start work on my first novel of 2009, working title 'The Bobbit', which is set in my fantasy world of Reath and is an origin tale of sorts for the different creatures that dwell there. I first wrote it when I was twelve and it wasn't bad, but I want to update it, polish it and send it out to publishers. I'm hoping the retreat will help me get the tone right from the beginning.

Because I am going on a week long writer out and about I thought I would take a break from my regular routine and chronicle my week on the blog. I am hoping to vblog every day about my progress, but if I don't have the Internet connection for that, I will text blog.

I start off my week with a six hour drive to get to the retreat centre. I'm looking forward to it because a) I have never driven to Cork before and I'm looking forward to the achievement of completing the drive and finding my way on my own and b) I am going to use the drive to help clear my mind of the everyday clutter and focus on the project that lies ahead. I love driving on my own - good tunes on the radio, the wind blowing in my hair (or the air conditioning),the feel of the steering wheel against my palms, the countryside blurring past my windows.

Here is to a week of adventure and productivity!

P.S Just heard my flash 'Death's Girlfriend' (inspired by a dream - first hand experience that my writing exercise last week works!) has been accepted for publication in Sonar 4's Anthology of Horror and Science Fiction Flash due out in June. Yay! What a good start to the week.

Writers on the Blogosphere

I had a hard day yesterday so, as inspiration didn't come for my post today, I decided to direct you to a few writing blogs that I find inspired and inspiring:-

1. The One Minute Writer

Some of you probably know this one already. Genius in its simplicity and chock full of fun, the One Minute Writer has a different writing prompt every day and a handy timer with it so you can concentrate on writing and not worry about the time. For those of us who are competitive, Beth also puts up the best reply of the day. Go over there now and get your creative juices flowing.

2. The 8 stages of the writing process

Orna Ross, writer, agent and blogger is posting about the eight stages of the writing process this week. Pop over to her website and check it out.

3. I should be writing

How many times a day do I say that? Well, now there is a blog you can visit in your moments of procrastination when you know you should be working on your novel but can't settle to it.

and finally

4. Anam Cara Writing Retreat

A retreat for writers on the wonderful Beara Peninsula in Co. Cork, Ireland. I really want to go on a writer's retreat and this place sounds fabulous. I can but dream I suppose.