I’ve been putting off blogging about the 2011 My Book Therapy Deep Thinkers Retreat because a) I’m not ready to think of Florida in past tense and b) I do not want to cause my fellow writer friends to stumble (i.e. succumb to jealousy). But it must be done. Because 1) the retreat was completely, totally worthy of a blog post and 2) I don’t really have anything else to blog about this week.
Except, wait. Big news! I finally gave in to a bookworm’s modernity and got me a Kindle. Woohoo. I love the un-backlit, graphite screen. I love the free books. I love my new-found liberation from the fear that my bookshelves will collapse.
But back to Deep Thinkers. And my current dilemma. Because how do you sum up such an experience? Well, like this, I guess:
– Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck. Together. Teaching. Entertaining. Mentoring. Awesome.
-Brainstorming. One of my favorite moments was lounging down by the beach and breathing life into my latest WIP with Susie and Rachel. I love creating, crafting, discovering a plot. (Um…now I just need to write the thing.)
-FRIENDS!!! Some I knew before DT, some were familiar online names, still others were completely new. But I’m telling ya, stick 20 women in a two-story beach house and you’re bound for bonding. Loved it. And I love the fact that, one week out, we’re in continual contact, communicating often and looking forward to a hopeful reunion someday…maybe at ACFW! (Hint, hint, ladies!)
-Food. All I can say is, kudos to Alena and Ginger. Wait, that’s not all: I must also put in writing the warmth I felt when Alena said she had a surprise for me, when I opened that fridge and saw my beloved Diet Coke with Lime. Bliss. True bliss. Thank you to the kitchen crew!
-Florida. Warmth. The ocean. Ahhh…(see last post).
-Learning! Call me a dork, but I get something akin to a sugar rush when learning about story crafting. We did one exercise in particular that I really felt brought the first scene of my new WIP to a whole new level. It’s an emotional layering exercise – way helpful! We also talked story spine, emotional journey, symbolism…good times. Who needs Skittles when you’ve got the high of story crafting?
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| Okay, no, I’m not writing in this photo. But I promise, at one point I was! |
-Writing time. Okay, yes, I will confess to slacker-mode for some of our free writing time. I blame it on the call of 80-degree temps. But, I did hide away now and then and truly got some good plotting and writing done. My best hiding spot – the front porch.
-Devotions. I loved those morning moments, sitting in the sunroom, drinking in spiritual truths that I know will not only help me as a writer, but as a woman of God. Susie, Rachel and Beth’s devos hit right at my heart each morning. And I came home convinced that if I really want to write a story that resonates on a deeper level with readers, then I need to be willing to dig deeper in my own spiritual life.
Truly, the whole MBT Deep Thinkers experience was perfect. Now it’s back to real life…which has been a bit culture-shocky. But I’m surviving. Besides, my real life involves daily trips into pretend life as I work on my new WIP. So, it’s all good. Even better, God is all good. And if there’s anything I came home from Deep Thinkers knowing for 100% certain, it’s that He’s got a reason for nudging me into this whole writing journey thing. And I’m enjoying the ride!
Truly, the whole MBT Deep Thinkers experience was perfect. Now it’s back to real life…which has been a bit culture-shocky. But I’m surviving. Besides, my real life involves daily trips into pretend life as I work on my new WIP. So, it’s all good. Even better, God is all good. And if there’s anything I came home from Deep Thinkers knowing for 100% certain, it’s that He’s got a reason for nudging me into this whole writing journey thing. And I’m enjoying the ride!
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| This is me and Rachel Hauck (left) and Susan May Warren (right). Good times! Also, photo credit on all of these Deep Thinkers photos (minus my Kindle and me) to Beth Vogt, retreat paparazzi and wonderful friend! 🙂 |
~Melissa
Comments 4
I wanna go ba-ack!!!
The retreat was superb for all the reasons you mentioned–friends, food, and fellowship with other writers. I’m struggling to find time to work on my revamped WIP, but I will do it because I like the story so much more now after talking with Rachel and Suz.
And welcome to the wonderful world of Kindles!
I wanna go back, toooo!!! And I’m with you, finding the time to actually write is tricky! I’m thinking I’m going to have to give up something…and that something might actually have to be sleep…eek…
Peelings. Notting More Dan Peelings.
Write with Peeling, Melissa!
So glad you like your Kindle. What a fun splurge. You deserve it!
Hilarious, LJ! Hilarious! I will do my very best to write with “peeling.”
Yes, my Kindle is only a week old and I love it. And my bookshelves are breathing a sigh of relief…:)