Finding Time to Write by Sarah Nicholson

 Do you remember a time when we believed that all the new-fangled modern devices would save us time?

We seem to be busier than ever – especially as writers.

We have become slaves to our phones, with algorithms that suck us into rabbit holes. It’s research we protest – who are we kidding?

If we’ve actually reached the dizzy heights of publishing a book, we have to promote it, find ways to market it and of course sell it – these days being an author demands we wear so many other hats – publicist, bookseller, inspirational speaker.

This is the stage I am at. My first book, my memoir, was out in January.

“You can’t be a one hit wonder!” said my brother at the time – Cue Chesney Hawkes singing “The One and Only” – if you are of a certain vintage you will understand.

But when do I find time to write?

What better plan that to take a retreat and carve out some dedicated writing time. No dishes to wash, no meals to plan, no distractions.

I’ve taken a retreat in November before you can re-read about that one here https://authorselectric.blogspot.com/2022/12/retreat-by-sarah-nicholson.html

But all retreats are different because even if they are led by the same person, a new cohort of writers changes the dynamics.

There were similarities between the two, apart from the timing. I’m at about the same stage in my writing – I have some ideas and some stories written – last time I was writing true stories and this time I intend to write a book of Flash Fiction.

Co-incidentally both retreats took place in Wales, both groups were all female and the food provided each time was superb!

Last time my retreat was in Criccieth on the coast and we stayed in a large house with a view. This time I visited Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden.

 

A stunning setting with a magnificent reading room. It’s the kind of space that transports you to another time.

photo from visitwales,com

I found the silence conducive to writing, although I am a perennial fidget and did get distracted by book titles.

Who wouldn't want to read about faith, trust and pixie dust?
Or find out what make a botanist smile :-) 

Would writing in a busy coffee shop suit me better?

Having met up with a writing friend last week and spending much of our time listening in to other people’s conversations I’m not so sure – cafés are great places for generating ideas, but personally I like some quiet to get lost in writing a story.

The story I came up with this time is just over a thousand words long – quite a long one by my standards.

The weekend was led by Stephanie Butland who I have worked with before. We all met together in the morning to discuss what we hoped to achieve that day, we each had a one-to-one session with Stephanie during the day and reconvened in the evening for some more writerly chat before and after dinner. It was all very relaxed with much laughter and wine!

On the last evening, we read out something we had been working on. It was great to hear excepts from my fellow writers after spending time getting to know them. They all deserve publication and I eagerly await news of agents and book deals.

Gladstone’s Library is definitely somewhere I want to visit again. 

Have you ever been there? 

Do you have another favourite spot to visit and write in?

Taking time out certainly helped me get my ideas in order, now I just need to find time to do some more writing… or plan another visit to the library. I wonder it a day out at the local library would be just as fruitful?