Laurie Buchanan (Note to Self: A Seven-Step Path to Gratitude and Growth) recently went on a solo writing retreat and I was excited to ask her about it. Every Tuesday I visit Laurie's popular blog Tuesdays with Laurie. I'm thrilled that she is visiting us here today. Please welcome her.
What gave you the idea to go on a solo writer's retreat?
I write best when I have no distractions—none whatsoever.
Have you, would you, will you go on a writing retreat with other writers? Are there any that interest you?
I would love to be accepted for a writer’s residency at Hedgebrook (http://www.hedgebrook.org) on Whidbey Island, Washington.
What other writers (living or dead) would you like to go on a retreat with? Why?
I would love to be at a writing retreat where Mary Oliver (one of my favorite, still-living poets) was writing. Why? Because I know she’d stay in her cabin (like I would stay in mine) and we’d only meet for meals at the main lodge.
What do you see as the main difference between going solo and going as a member of a group?
My idea of "solo" is no distractions—being completely by myself. I have no interest in group writing situations; it wouldn’t work with my writing style.
How did you pick your retreat's location?
When my in-laws called to say they were going to Australia for three months (Jan-Mar), I told them I’d love to house-sit for them. It was a win-win situation.
What were you retreat's main goals?
To write The Business of Being: Soul Purpose In and Out of the Workplace
Why do you think these goals couldn't have been achieved without going on this retreat?
I would have eventually finished writing The Business of Being, but it would have taken double or triple the time to do it. I was hoping for a 2018 publication date. When I sent the Preface and Introduction to my publisher, not only did they say YES, it’s slated for a June/July 2018 publication date.
I understand one of your goals was to work on your next book, please tell us a little about it.
In a nutshell, The Business of Being spotlights the intersection of workplace and spirituality; it’s designed to help readers thrive in business and life.
What was the best thing about going on this retreat?
1. Solitude
2. It was breathtakingly gorgeous. Darby, Montana is located between the Bitterroot and the Sapphire Mountain ranges, and I was within walking distance of the Bitterroot River. Without fail, I saw wildlife every day.
What was the worst thing?
It was the worst winter Darby had had in record-breaking years, so there
was tons of snow and ice on the roof. When the snow started melting, there was a
place in the ceiling that started leaking. Yikes! I went next door to the
neighbor man to see if he had any suggestions. Nope—a portion of his ceiling had
caved in. I called my husband (Boise, ID), and he made an emergency trip to
Darby and saved the day!
What did you have to overcome?
Driving 17 miles each way on treacherous roads to get groceries once a
week.
What do you wish you had planned for?
I wish I’d taken a second power cord for my Mac. I don’t think there’s an
Apple store in the entire state of Montana. The closest one is in Boise, Idaho
(where I’m from). I don’t know what happened to my cable, but I woke up to
“crimp” marks. My husband overnighted a cable to me—a rather expensive, but
necessary, undertaking.
Please share a memory of your retreat.
It’s against the law (at least in Darby, Montana) to feed deer, so I waited
until twilight each night and then snuck out under cover of dark and fed the
deer organic apples, blueberries, and carrots that I cut into bite-size pieces.
I did my research first—making sure that those three foods aren’t harmful in any
way to the deer.
Do you view this retreat as successful—why or why not?
I accomplished what I set out to do so I feel the retreat was
successful.
What advice would you give writers who are planning a solo retreat?
Stay on task and use your time to write, Write, WRITE! In the evening I
refueled by reading. I read over a dozen books in the twelve weeks I was
there.
Would you go on another solo writing retreat—why or why not?
In a heartbeat! I already told my in-laws that if they go anywhere, for any
length of time, to please call me and I’ll housesit.
Are you planning to go on another solo writing retreat? Where will/would you go this time?
I’m applying for a writer’s residency at Hedgebrook. We’ll see how that
turns out…
Sending you tons of positive energy, Laurie. I hope you get in.
AUTHOR BIO
Board Certified with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners,
Laurie Buchanan is a holistic health practitioner, transformational life coach,
speaker, and author. Her areas of interest include energy medicine, inner
alchemy, and spiritual awareness.
Embracing the belief that “Life is an expression of the choices we make,”
she’s a teacher and student of purposeful living.
With tremendous respect for the earth’s natural resources, Laurie’s goal is
to leave the slightest footprint on the planet, while at the same time making a
lasting impression on its inhabitants—one that’s positive, uplifting,
constructive, and healing.
Laurie’s previous book, Note to Self: A Seven-Step Path to Gratitude and
Growth was a 2016 Idaho Author Award winner for inspiration; a 2016 Foreword
Indies Book of the Year finalist; and a 2016 Body, Mind, Spirit Book Awards
finalist.
