Urban Writers Retreat

Affordable non-residential writing retreats in London

Urban Writers Retreat
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In the press 

Artshub review of the February 2009 writing retreat.

 

We've been blogged 

Writing a Novel, Are You?... Yeah, Me Neither on China Blue's Girl with the Golden Mind. Yup, this is exactly why the retreats are here.

Urban Writers Retreat: Totally worth it! by Alexandra Goldstein.

By Karen Ball, children's author and editor.

On Sianyland. Sian is a freelance writer who has now finished her novel, woo! There's something very satisfying about just looking at that lovely wodge of paper.

Thinking in snapshots on Simon Gregor Photography. Yes, photography - he's multi-talented, this one.

 

What we liked

"Building, people, books, tea"

 

"The pure writing time was utter bliss"

 

"Nice people, good atmosphere and a feeling “I am a writer”. And nice cakes!"

 

"Felt like I could be productive without thinking about other things I could/should be doing"

 

"Loved it. No TV, no internet, no phone - didn't miss a thing, and I got things done I've been just planning for ages"

 

The Writing Part

"I learned I have very little discipline. I NEED to be forced to write really and I learned though that I
enjoy it when I do so I really shouldn't shoot myself in the foot by avoiding it!"

 

"I realised how often I distract myself – not having the web was VERY key to progress being made"

 

"Wonderful. I missed music to begin with but got used to it. Every time I stopped for a break I wanted to go back to my desk again!"

 

"I know I can write (by hand) for long periods of time – so no excuses from now on!"

 

"I can never stick to one writing task at a time – it doesn’t matter where I am & I learned I should just go with this"

 

"Almost got there on word count and covered loads of issues – not necessarily the ones I’d planned to though!"

 

“The day absolutely flew which surprised me quite a lot as I’ll admit to being a bit daunted about it beforehand”

 

"I got lots done – not what I planned but I feel I achieved!"

 

"Excellent. I really enjoyed myself and got masses done. It really cleared my mind"

 

"Good way to focus in a relaxed environment"

 

What comes next?

"Would like to come again, and will make time to do more myself too"

 

"I'm going to focus on writing more & finding  a space near me where I can sit on write"

 

"It will give me more focus and has got me over that block of not writing"