The Writing Retreat

Writers need time to write.  Sometimes the only way to get concentrated time, is to leave home and go on retreat.  Then the interruptions and the daily schedule don't waylay the muse.  I often am working and look up a word on line and then I'm checking my email and then I tweet, and suddenly I've forgotten about the writing.  On retreat, in a rustic cabin at Silver Lake, there is no wi-fi.  There isn't even an inside toilet.  There's a little gas heater, beds (no bedding), a kitchen (no eating utensils or pots and pans), and light.  Except for the time the power went out, it is comfortable and cozy.  And the lake is an inspiration.  The only interruption, except for occasional runs to the pit toilet.

This last weekend I went on retreat for two nights.  Silver Lake is only a short drive from town...45 minutes.  So getting there is pretty easy.  Packing includes a sleeping bag, pillow, food, eating utensils, computer and collage supplies.  And the weather was great...sunny with some morning and evening fog.  Not too cold, except for at night.  But the heater works fine.  And plenty of time to write and dream and contemplate and collage.

Exercising the retreat brings projects to focus.  Puts the project at the top of the list.  I worked on LOOKOUT during my time away from home.  I ordered some, typed up from my journals, and contemplated what I've left out. Here is an excerpt about my time manning a fire lookout in the Clearwater National Forest in the 70s.

From the catwalk the view of Camas Prairie and surrounding mountains: Buffalo Hump, the Gospels and the Seven Devils, is vast and milky. Wind rustles the treetops, ravens croak, and what I imagine to be static, buzzes down forty-five feet of copper wire into the ground below. It’s completely quiet otherwise, with the exception of Jack moving about the tower, opening cupboards, checking out the attic crawlspace, the drawers beneath the bed, the Osborn Firefinder. I’m leaning over the railing of the catwalk, taking in my new surroundings, everything tinted with sunset light. The weather station, American flag, roof of the Avocado-green bread truck, the outhouse in the woods to the west. My stomach is full of jitters. I know I’ll hear my own heart pounding when I lay down to sleep tonight. That and coyotes, and perhaps distant thunder. And of course, Jack’s steady breathing next to me, which will make me feel safe, I know this to be true.

Below is one of the photos I shot of Silver Lake.  The fall colors were gorgeous...the light perfect. The last time I was there on a art retreat, I went swimming.  Not this time, but I did go out in a paddle boat and explored the shore.  It was warm enough to roll up my pants and take off my jacket.  Delicious fall weather.  

Hope you are able to feed your creative side soon and enjoy a retreat. Cheers for the arts! Nancy http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/silver-lake/

Silver Lake, Washington Photo by N. Canyon

In-filling & Outpouring

Writing is an interesting hobby...or career. I think of myself as a writer. I have a career. My first teacher, Natalie Goldberg said to write every day. You can fill an entire spiral notebook and not go back and read it for awhile. Read later...then see how you feel about what you've written. At first, the writing is too raw, too close. It might sound unimportant to you or rote. Your editor, or Monkey Mind could be active, maybe even overly. I asked Natalie what I could do about my yammering Monkey Mind. I said it was so loud, I often stopped creating just to get away from it. She said, "Just keep writing." I took her advice, writing daily sometimes, sometimes a couple times a week. It's all okay...any way we want to do our practice. Ann Rice said she will go months without writing. There are times you just need to digest what you've already written, let it live in your psyche, work inside of you. I guess I agree with this. Especially I notice this with my painting. When I set aside a painting and leave my studio for awhile, I come back seeing everything in a fresh way. This is good, a new perspective...even giving me a new view of the work I've done. There is the quality called "In-filling, outpouring." A therapist told me this once. We need time to infill creatively. That's the function of the artist date. To stir up ideas, to intrigue the muse. So when you're working and you feel burnt out...take yourself on an artist date. I like antique stores or the beach. Beaches have wonderful infilling properties. The scent of water and sand and weed, the curve of sandstone and tree, the glint of light on water. It's truly amazing. In those moments I actually feel the infilling of creativity filling every inch of me, exciting me. What do you do to recharge? What is your creative process? How do you deal with Monkey Mind? Do you think of yourself as a writer? Are you taking yourself seriously? Let me know how it's going.

In writing,
Nancy Canyon

Celia's Heaven: Chanticleer Review CYGNUS 1st PLACE

My manuscript, Celia's Heaven, is the 1st Place winner in the paranormal division at Chanticleer Reviews: www.chantireviews.com/   Kiffer Brown, the president of Chanticleer Reviews, suggested I find a screen writer for CELIA'S HEAVEN and get a movie contract.  I've always had a movie in mind for this book.  Now I feel fired up, ready to market this paranormal romance for a book and movie contract.  We can eat popcorn and watch the show together.  You'll be my guest.

If you are interested in having a book review written, check out Chanticleer Reviews.  They also have contests in many categories that you can enter for a nominal fee.  It's worth it and it also gives you a goal...which I feel is important for us writers.  So tighten up the manuscript and send it out.  No time like the present.

    

Here is a cover mock-up for "Celia's Heaven". Probably not my final cover, but a visual to put a face on the project seems important for manifesting my goal.