writing prompts

Our fabulous writing gang at the first ever Just Write Retreat, Springbrook April 4- 8 2024

Well this retreat had it all, pouring rain, pademelons, bursts of spectacular sunshine, bush walks, new friends, writing buddies, glowing fires and our new cosy “Gay’s Corner” for writing chats, feedback, workshops, ritual burnings in the sacrificial salad bowl, tarot readings, Persian love cakes, 4 am arrivals, leeches (YUCK!), fun and laughter and lots and lots of writing. Just watch them go!

“A beautiful environment to share and inspire creativity and story.” Retreater Just Write April 2024

Repeat Retreaters far outnumbered newbies this time but by the end of the retreat it felt as if we’d all been friends since preschool. A new term has been coined, RETREATAHOLICS, for those who just can’t get enough of these special events bringing women writers together to be inspired and get their dream projects happening. We had impressive word counts rising higher ever day, complete newbies working their way through writing exercises at the rate of knots, more experienced writers sharing work and getting back on track with their labours of love, new ideas hatching, tarot readings, rituals to help free us from all we wanted to leave behind and collages to help usher in all the good stuff.

“A perfect opportunity to meet writing buddies to share and learn with in future. Practical tools enabled me to focus on specific writing goals and pursue my writing project. As well as food for the writing soul there were delicious wholesome home-cooked meals, and meditation and yoga which opened up spaces for writing.” Annie Kemp Retreater Just Write April 2024

Four nights and five days of writing time in a glorious location, most of it raining, which as we know is perfect weather for writers and ducks. When the sun shone we were outside quick smart, sitting in the glorious gardens and exploring the protected forest and our nearby stream and 100 metre waterfall. The water was up, and before everyone arrived I snuck in a fabulous swim! So refreshing – cold water can work miracles!

We feasted on, Chief Cookie and almost published author, Gay Liddington’s delicious homemade meals, with Annie’s scrumptious Persian Love Cake a special treat, and the vegetarian nachos and stuffed zucchinis making everyone’s favourites list. Gay makes everything from scratch and is the wicked Mummy in the kitchen taking care of us all and stuffing us to the gills. Coconut and almond cake? Macadamia Anzac cookies? Homemade baked beans and cheesy corn muffins? Walnut and veggie curry? Sound yummy? We’re going to have to do a new version of the retreat cookbook soon!

“How wonderful to be able to sit and write without the drama of preparing meals and cleaning up afterwards. The atmosphere was calm and nurturing and inspiring. All the women have a chance to read their work, showing parts of themselves. The tarot reading and massage were the cherry on top of a fabulous retreat” Sally Mansfield Retreater Just Write April 2024

The fire was glowing in the hall as writers typed or scribbled in notebooks, and our daily Q & A sessions with the brain trust provided lots of information and fuel for thought. With two lawyers in our troupe we had a very interesting discussion on ethics for memoirists. Every evening we had readings from whoever wanted to have a turn, discovering new and intriguing voices and stories. So proud of everyone for having a turn, it takes a lot of courage to share your work in progress, especially for newbies.

Artwork and words by Marie Seeman, First Time Retreater Just Write April 2024

As always, it is the women who come along to these retreats that make them so special. Women together nurture and support each other and I am so grateful for the lovely people who supported and looked after me as well as others in the group. Just love you girls! Some kind of magic is at work when we all come together. I love watching new writing friendships form, the sudden epiphanies that make a writing problem miraculously easy to solve, the new ideas that spring from random conversations and the total relaxation that sinks writers deep into their chairs to gaze into the distance.

“This retreat has made so much difference to me physically and mentally.” Retreater Just Write April 2024

A wonderful feature of these local retreats are the unique body-work treatments offered by Monique De Goey. Retreaters emerge from the massage room, hair askew, eyes slightly crossed, looking like they could happily float away on a rainbow cloud. Monique’s body wisdom is unbeatable and we were super lucky that she also ran a couple of movement sessions for us focusing on releasing our necks and shoulders. If you’re in need of a good untangling of your neck and shoulders or any other bits BOOK A SESSION WITH MONIQUE.

WHAT’S NEXT?
In July I’m off to Bali for our Blissful Bali retreat 10 – 17 July, (wait list for Bali 2025 filling – bags a spot HERE) but then in August I’m back in Queensland for the next RELAX AND WRITE FEEDBACK AND REVISION RETREAT, SPRINGBROOK 9 – 11 2024. This retreat features workshops focusing on self-editing, redrafting, refining your prose and preparing pitch materials like your synopsis and bio. Sound like something that would work for you?

“These retreats are warm (though maybe not literally) and inviting and your creative energy will flow. A must-attend for any writer, aspiring or otherwise. You’l leave with a sense of reinvigoration and accomplishment.” KIMBERLEY COLLESS Retreater Just Write April 2024

If you’re almost at the end of your first draft, or if you’d like a deadline for your next draft, use this retreat to spur you on to write THE END, then come along and learn how to tackle draft two, and perhaps even share your work with other writers, or get professional feedback from yours truly. ALL THE INFO HERE. Still some places available but watch out! Retreataholics are likely to fill spaces fast. They’re taking over the world! BOOK HERE – Don’t miss out!

These retreats are dear to my heart. They have been such a blessing in my life and I’ve made so many wonderful friends through them. I may not have a best selling book yet, but my heart is full with the love of my fellow writing women and the stories that they write, turning pain into something beautiful. I’m so very proud of you all!

“Edwina’s retreats always nourish my creativity and I come away feeling inspired and motivated with new ideas for my current projects.” Barb Hunt Retreater Just Write 2024

Come along on a retreat and join our wonderful tribe of writing women. It could very well change your life. They’ve sure changed mine!

Lots of love

Edwina xx

“Edwina certainly knows how to bring together a dynamic writers’ retreat. The combination of subject matter, breathing techniques, tarot readings, spiritual practices and a great environment all contribute to a great place to learn, to feel safe and to grow our skills.” Vicki Bennett Retreater Just Write 2024

Got my swim in! 🙂

Busy? Too busy with the drudgery of life to get your writing done? That was me too. Then my friend Kathy, also a busy small business woman, and I hit upon a plan. We thought we’d be able to squeeze in half an hour for our own writing projects between all the chores and paid work. It was necessary. Boy, was I getting grumpy when I wasn’t writing. The kind of grumpiness only cured by writing.

But 30 minutes? What can you get done in that small space of time?

Turns out, you can write a whole book and then do a second draft, including a scene list. I know, because I’ve done just that. In less than six months. I’ve written an entire 80 000 word comedy manuscript and redrafted it, all to a timer set to 30 minutes. I like to do my 30 early in the day because, like most things, if I get stuck into the busyness of work, I don’t emerge till evening by which time my brain juice is empty. So it’s mornings for me, but anytime will do. I also like to play some writing music, with the sound of a train clattering on tracks behind it, urging me forward.

I knew I could probably write the first draft in short bursts, I do lots of timed writing exercises and know that good quality work comes when you’re not thinking about it too much – and only having a limited time certainly stopped me reviewing what I’d already written and falling into that easy trap of rewriting the beginning before you reach the end. Having the timer on forced me to keep writing forward. DON’T LOOK BACK is the first draft motto – keep writing until you reach the end. And I did! I had so much fun, most days I had to force myself to stop writing. Writing comedy for the first time was also a revelation, I was making myself laugh instead of cry for a change. Hopefully other people will also find it funny!

I was more concerned about doing a second draft in short bursts, but by writing a scene list as I went through I was able to hold a full picture of the novel despite the time constraints. I’d put so many barriers up “I need a whole block of time.” “I need at least a week to focus solely on the project”. “I need to have a clean slate.” Now all of these things would have been wonderful and I’ve booked a week for just my own writing in June, but I’ve also learnt that books can get written and redrafted in 30 minute blocks outside these dream conditions.

So what are you waiting for? Got a story that you need to get out of your head on the page? Too busy with life to make a start? Bugger that!

Make yourself a promise to give the 30 minutes a day a try. Super busy? Make it 15 minutes. Ten! Put a timer on, find a quiet spot, tell everyone “I’m out for the next however long” and write like the wind, free and fast and carefree. Write and write and write. Don’t stop until that timer goes off. Then stop, even if you’re on a roll. End mid-sentence as Ernest Hemmingway suggested – that way you know exactly where to start the following day. Feel better. Writing helps grumpy writers find their joy again. It’s the writing itself that is the magic. Creating! Get to it!

Find a writing buddy to do the 30 a day club with and send a message when you’ve done yours, checking your friend is also on track. No judgement or criticism allowed. Just encouragement. Kathy and I have had down times when life was just too busy, but we’ve slowly pulled each other back and got on with the job. Days off are allowed, as are binge writing days. Sharing the adventure of your 30 minutes a day is part of the fun.

The best part for me is feeling like a writer again. I love writing. I love the magic that happens on the page when I step out of the way and let the story tell itself.

Give the 30 Minutes a Day Club a try. Rekindle your joy in writing. Connect with a writing buddy and get ready to roll!

Let me know how you go! Reaching The End today on my second draft was a joy I didn’t think would happen. But now here it is and I feel like I’m ready to start a whole new project.

What will I do for my 30 tomorrow?

I’ll write. I’ll just write and see what happens.

With lots of love

Edwina xx

P.S. JUST WRITE RETREAT! Still some spots available at the April 4 – 8 2024 JUST WRITE RETREAT in Springbrook – Gold Coast Hinterland. All the info HERE. CONTACT ME to make sure you don’t miss out. 4 nights, 5 days – JUST WRITING! Plus daily Q & A plus a couple of workshops to help you focus and a Pomodoro collective writing room for those who write best in company!.

Edwina Shaw

WRITER / EDITOR / MENTOR / THE HEALING POWER OF STORY

Retreataholics Write up a Storm! April Retreat Rundown

WRITE A BOOK IN THIRTY MINUTES A DAY! The 30 a day club!

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