Writing retreats

I came home from a writing retreat in Cromarty yesterday and I have a few great thoughts about it, and about writing retreats in general.

I've been on a couple of retreats (or residentials) now, both with uni and I've really enjoyed it, learning a lot from each trip. Overall, they're great for meeting people, both old friends and new (and it's amazing what socialising can do for my mental health!) and for writing new things with workshops and personal writing time.

With the uni specific residentials (or at least, the two I've been on), one thing I've found helpful is all the classes they do. This year, there was a wide range from writing for performance to lyrical poetry to a confidence class. The classes were specific and actually useful (not that my other classes aren't). But the classes, while only an hour or two, were something I've found super helpful - particularly the class on confidence (which helped me build up the courage to read my poem about Hugh Grant that night).

Another thing that I like about them was the fact I was able to socialise with people that I wouldn't normally socialise with. Not because I don't like them of course (everyone I've met on these courses have been absolutely lovely), but because we were all different ages, come from different places and are on different years of the course. Add to that the fact I have anxiety and can't make eye contact half the time, never mind start a conversation, but the residentials are great for meeting new friends. The more I've done them, the more I've felt confident with socialising though.

Overall, the only point I wanted to make were that writing residentials are great for meeting people and learning more specific ideas to do with writing. I'd highly recommend them if anyone reading this is considering it.

(I feel like I should also add, that I was greeted on my return home, with a gift from the Water Elves of old coins, which I'll attach below).