Virtual Retreat

Can’t make it in person to the 2022 Christian Writers Retreat at Mount Hermon? How about having your own personal writers retreat at home or at a favorite relaxing location, alone or with a few writer friends?

 

During the full days of the retreat, November 4-5, we’ll be live streaming our main sessions:

FRIDAY

9:30–10:30 am – Worship and Spiritual Session

11:00 am–12:00 noon – Writing Nonfiction that Sells, Lynn Donovan

1:45–2:45 pm – Using Life Experiences to Write Fiction, Kelly Harrel

3:00–4:00 pm – Copyright Basics, Kelley Way

4:15–5:15 pm  – Beginning Fiction Techniques, Kelly Harrel

 

SATURDAY

9:45–11:00 am – Worship and Spiritual Session

1:45–2:45 pm –  Estate Planning for Authors, Kelley Way

3:00–4:00 pm – Triumphant Writing: Spiritual Warfare for Writers, Lynn Donovan


See the Schedule page of our website for details.

 


These sessions will be recorded and available on our Facebook group for registrants through the end of November. So if 11/4-5 isn’t convenient for you, you can enjoy the recordings at any time during the month.

 

Register for the Virtual Retreat on the Registration page.

 

Once you have registered, you will receive the link to the private Facebook group for attendees. In addition to access to the videos, you will be able to connect and network with fellow attendees on the private Facebook group.

 

We’ll also send you the link to our extensive digital binder of inspirational quotes, meditations, prayers, poems, and hymns to prepare your heart for the virtual retreat and to enhance your retreat experience.

 

Deadline to register for the online retreat is October 23.

 

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL PERSONAL RETREAT


Here are a few suggestions to get the most out of your personal writers retreat:

  • Choose a location: Go somewhere different, preferably someplace quiet and inspiring. If you often go to a local coffee shop to write, try one in a different neighborhood. If you can’t get out of the house, pick a room you don’t usually work in. If you can’t find a quiet place, wear headphones.
  • Set a goal: Come up with a specific, measurable goal that you want to achieve during this time. Write or print it on a piece of paper and tape it near your writing space or in your booklet.
  • Create a schedule: Write out a plan for yourself, including coffee and snack breaks and time to be still, relax, pray, and listen to God’s voice. If you have the time, take a walk, run, or hike, or plan a writing-related adventure. Taking a break can inspire new ideas and renew your enthusiasm. On your breaks, don’t think about how much you’ve accomplished or how far you’ve advanced toward your goal. Just enjoy the chance to dedicate time to writing and to God.
  • Plan ahead to avoid distractions. To keep from being distracted by email, leave your phone somewhere else and turn off your computer’s Wi-Fi.
  • End your retreat with a personal debrief. Before you wrap things up, spend a few minutes reflecting on the experience and write down your thoughts on a fresh page in your booklet, a journal, a spiral notebook, or a computer document. What did you discover during the retreat? What did you accomplish? Which parts of the retreat did you find especially beneficial? Which did you enjoy most? What could you do next time to make it even better? Start right away making plans for your next retreat.
  • Share with others. Talk to your writer friends about your experience. Ask if they’d be interested in doing a retreat with you, either at a retreat location or on your own.