A retreat

posted by Emma on March 23, 2011 08:57 AM

BeachLaptop.jpg

Hmm, I wonder. I was just reading on the internets about a person going on a writer's retreat, and getting a lot of writing done. Me, I don't write. Dear god, let you be thankful. It's the blessing/curse of the publisher - to be frequently exposed to writing so fine it would make a grown man weep, writing of a standard you could never hope to reach, so why bother.

However, whilst I don't write, I do like to learn new things and I have a current techie interest which would really benefit from a few days' absorbed, quiet thinking and concentration. I wonder: is one allowed to go on a retreat which isn't a writer's retreat? Or could I just say I was writing, and secretly do this other thing instead? Would anyone miss me for, I don't know, 4 or 5 days? More relevantly: could I resist the urge to check my email for a full working week?

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Comments: 7


The email thing is easy to solve, go somewhere with no Internet connection. Of course a technology retreat probably requires the Internet.

Solution: get someone to change your email password(s) and not tell you them until you get back. Net access but no email!

- Neil.

Posted by: Neil Ford on March 23, 2011 11:22 AM


I'd say you're perfectly entitled to go on whatever kind of retreat you like whenever you please.
As a certain Mr. A Crowley once said: Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law!

Posted by: Alan Baker on March 23, 2011 01:16 PM


The answer to your question is yes.

I am a writer, but I want to go on a 'listen to lots of radio plays and eat oranges in bed' retreat.

That would be all right, wouldn't it?

Posted by: Jenn on March 23, 2011 04:38 PM


Alan! Kudos for referencing Crowley! :D

And Emma, indeed you should do what thou wilt - we can always pester Rob until you get back!

Posted by: Wayne Simmons on March 23, 2011 07:08 PM


Oh yes A.Crowley. His work is very much admired amongst paedophiles who form quasi-religious groups such as the one just busted in Swansea. The Book of Law promotes sex with kiddies which is a little too liberal for most.

Anyway, yes, I went on a writing retreat once and enjoyed every minute. I think there must be IT retreats, but from my memories of working in IT, all I ended up doing was white-water rafting, or bungee jumping.

Posted by: Ian D. Smith on March 24, 2011 12:36 PM


In order to bond you more closely with a bunch of people you're really rather not be bonded to. Yes, I remember them, Ian.

Thanks for the cheers of support, chaps. Who knows, I might just do it.

Posted by: Em on March 24, 2011 04:20 PM


I think you've taken a lighthearted comment just a teeny bit too seriously, Ian. :D

Posted by: Alan Baker on March 25, 2011 07:21 AM

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