Tip 31: Take a solo writing retreat
Or not! Are solo retreats for you? If so, what would it look like? Three writers share their approaches to going away to write & what it taught them.
Hey there, Bec here
On Saturday I took a jaunt along the valley to a book festival in a neighbouring town (shout out to Tod Book Fest). Beneath the vaulted ceiling of St Mary’s Church a panel of three writers talked about their new novels and, as is often the case, the conversation turned to writing practice.
Joelle Taylor1 began by saying how she loves to save up and go away to write. There is nothing like writing for 24 hours straight, Taylor told us.
At the other end of the panel Andrew McMillan2 looked on in horror. He told the story of editing his first poetry collection when he reached out to his local writing development agency for help.3 They secured a two-week writing residency at Gordon Burn’s house in the Scottish Borders. The first day McMillan was up at 5am and had the most productive hour of writing. Then what? There was nothing to do! By day three he could no longer cope with the isolation and left on day four. Retreats are not his thing - he needs people around him to write.
The final panellist to speak was Pascale Petit4 who now lives in Cornwall but grew up in France. Her dream retreat is writing in Paris. Knowing she has spent precious funds renting an apartment means she gets straight down to it. Petit will rise early, write before breakfast and then have another session afterwards. She clocks up enough writing in the morning to have the rest of the day sightseeing in Paris. She’ll visit art galleries and museums, climb Notre Dame, things that fill her creative well.
Writing tip
Go on a retreat. But one that works for you and your life. It might be an hour of focussed writing, 24-hours straight, or a few days of writing and creative pursuits.
Bonus Tip
Go to a book festival, writing event or an author talk at your local book shop.
If you’re in the Calder Valley, I’ll be hosting Tiffany Murray’s reading of her remarkable memoir about growing up in a rural recording studio My Family and Other Rock Stars at The Bookcase Hebden Bridge on Thursday 14 November. Read a review of the book here and find out about her other events on Instagram.
That’s all for now, I’m off to visit Ease Retreats this weekend with
. And if you fancy a retreat at home, for an hour or for the full 24 hours, I’ll be hosting London Writers’ Salon 24-Hour Writing Sprint on 22-23 November. You can sign up to join me, any other hour, or all hours, here.Keep writing, Bec
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Joelle Taylor is an award-winning poet and UK slam champion, playwright, actor, author and editor. Her novel The Night Alphabet was published earlier in 2024. Find out more about her work on joelletaylor.co.uk
Andrew McMillan’s debt collection of poetry Physical began an award-winning career. He is now Professor of Contemporary Writing at the Manchester Writing School and his debut novel is Pity. More about him on andrewmcmillanpoet.co.uk
Andrew McMillan was supported by New Writing North - it was transformative to him when he was starting out. It’s well worth finding out about your local writing development agency. Check out their programme of support for writers, you’ll find writing courses, mentoring, grants and competition, all on your doorstep.
Pascale Petit has published eight collections of poetry, the ninth Beast published in 2025 won Society of Authors’ Arthur Welton Prize while in progress. Her debut novel is My Hummingbird Father and you can find out more about her pascalepetit.co.uk
Oh you're going to Emma's retreat, awesome. I'm yet to find a writing project that would justify going on a retreat but I'd love to. I would need time on my own mostly but would also love a couple of worskhops with other people because their input and sharing ideas is so fullfilling and exciting. Somewhere either in the countryside or by the sea. I'd love to explore residencies one day.
I never heard of writing development agency before. Had a look online and it sounds like an amazing tool. I wonder if there is an equivalent in France. I will have to look.