7 Dos & Don’ts for Embarking on a “Solo Write”
A solo writing retreat can help you focus on your story’s needs, but it’s important to have the right expectations heading into it. Here, author Barbara Josselsohn shares 7 dos and don’ts when embarking on a “solo write.”
It was mid-January, and I was in a panic: My book was due to my editor in less than four months, and I didn’t see how I could complete it on time. When I initially signed the contract—the second in a series—I was confident I could do the job in the nine months allotted. But the holidays and my husband’s last-minute foot surgery, combined with unexpected home repairs on top of the routine family needs, took their toll, and I found myself with little more than a rough outline, a few sketchy scenes, and some promising characters in serious need of development.
I needed some concentrated, undisturbed writing time. So, I hastily booked a stay at a hotel about an hour’s drive north from home for four days of total book immersion. My goal was to come home with 125 good pages, along with a detailed outline for the unfinished portion of the book and fully realized character sketches for the three main characters.
It was an overly ambitious goal, and I didn’t quite meet it. But I did end up with 80 pages plus a plan that would get me to the finish line in plenty of time for my editor. And along the way, I learned that a multi-day “solo write” can be productive and highly satisfying—and you don’t have to be on a deadline to reap the benefits. So here are seven tips to avoid those pitfalls that threatened to derail me as I aimed to move forward.
1. DO realize that you’re going to be lonely.
Yes, many writers are introverts and accustomed to spending lots of time in their own heads. And yes, many of us attend writing retreats and conferences, devoting extended hours to our craft. But there is nothing like the experience of being alone and keeping company only with your characters for days on end. So, it’s a good idea to pack supplies to help you re-center yourself when the isolation gets tough. For me, that meant bringing along my yoga mat, good walking shoes, and my favorite music preloaded onto my phone.
2. DO choose a hotel that’s offers a range of convenient and healthy food options.
For me, this meant choosing a hotel that had breakfast included. it was nothing fancy—just a cold buffet with oatmeal and a few other hot options—but it helped me get started each morning, since I didn’t have to waste time in search of a coffee shop. I also appreciated that the hotel had hot brewed coffee and a selection of teas available in the lobby all day. Having local eateries with fresh, healthy lunch and dinner choices, available by delivery, was also helpful for afternoons or evenings when I was “in the zone.”
3. DO factor in outdoor time.
You’re going to want to clear your head with fresh air at least once or twice a day—so make sure there are safe places to walk or run right outside your hotel, and that you have the appropriate footwear. It’s also good to plan your trip for a time of year when the weather isn’t crazy cold or hot. I was lucky, in that during the winter week I chose, the weather was relatively mild, with sunny skies and only light, occasional snow flurries.
4. DON’T neglect to call the hotel and explain your needs.
I chose my hotel at the recommendation of a writer-friend, who’d made a similar trip a few months earlier and found the staff friendly and the hotel clean, spacious, and quiet. So imagine my surprise when I showed up to learn that a huge wedding was planned for that weekend, and some 100 guests would be staying overnight. Fortunately, when I arrived, I was able to snag a room far away from the event hall and the corridor where the wedding guests were staying. But in retrospect, it would have been smart to contact the hotel ahead of time to make sure my stay didn’t overlap with any major events.
5. DON’T compromise this valuable time with other priorities or people.
On the third night of my stay, my husband offered to join me for dinner. It was only an hour away, he reasoned, and he didn’t have much going on that evening—so was fine with taking the drive. I thought that was a lovely gesture and made a reservation at a nearby Italian restaurant. Mistake! It was hard for me to carry on a conversation over dinner as my head was filled with book details. What’s more, it felt strange and kind of sad to say goodbye to him after we’d eaten, which made it hard for me to get back to work that evening. My best advice: Save the reunion for when you’re back home!
6. DON’T set unreasonable expectations.
Yes, four days alone can feel like plenty of writing time—but remember that you’re only human! Writing is hard, and getting to know your characters and their struggles can take more hours than you’d prefer. I see now that my 100-page goal was unreasonable and set me up for disappointment. I would have been better off with a more reasonable page target—or even no expectation at all, other than give the experience my all.
7. DON’T forget to pat yourself on the back.
A “solo write” is not an easy activity—and certainly not something I’d do more than once or twice a year. I’m not the kind of person who craves isolation—and maybe you’re not either. So while you repack your suitcase and prepare to head home, take a moment to acknowledge what you’ve accomplished. As I was signing my bill at the front desk, I made a point of telling the staff members behind the desk that I was a writer—and considering the four days I’d just spent, no truer words were every spoken!
Barbara Josselsohn is an award-winning journalist and novelist who loves crafting stories about strong protagonists facing a fork in the road. She is the author of five previous novels including The Lilac House, The Bluebell Girls, The Lily Garden, The Cranberry Inn, and The Last Dreamer. She has also written hundreds of articles and essays in major and regional publications about family, home, and relationships. She lives just north of New York City and enjoys escaping to the beach or the mountains whenever she can. Other than writing, her biggest passion is her family: her husband, her three kids, and her rescue pup, a mini-schnauzer named Albie. She is currently at work on book 2 of her Sisters of War series, a follow-up to Secrets of the Italian Island.
