Thursday, October 9, 2014

Writing Retreat

Last week, I said I'd post next about my writing retreat. That place that's a little more "civilized" than the wi-fi-less getaways some of my friends prefer. Last spring, my friend Anne and I found The Audubon Inn in Mayville, WI, and after our second stay there just this past week, I think it's become our permanent semi-annual retreat spot for several reasons. First, it's about as equidistant between our homes as you can get -- about an hour's drive for each of us. Second, and highly important, we got great discounts for weeknight stays through Living Social. Third, it's lovely, every room has its own whirlpool, the staff members are friendly and accommodating, there are wonderful eateries in the area and in the inn itself, every room has its own whirlpool, there are writing desks with Tiffany lamps, there's wi-fi, and every room has its own whirlpool! Here it is:
Toward the left, by the tree, you can see the sign that says NOLA. This is a New Orleans themed restaurant where we ate once for a meal and twice for dessert, and it was great. (The other two nights of our three-night stay we ate Chinese and Italian.) My windows on the second floor, right side, overlooked the side street, as did Anne's. I did nothing but write, sleep, whirlpool, and throw my clock away except for meeting Anne for dinner at our chosen hour. Anne took a walk, too. Next time, which will probably, hopefully, be in spring, I will do the same, unless the winds of spring are too raw for my indoor-girl sensibilities.

The immersion benefits have carried over. I'm determined to recreate retreat conditions at home whenever I get the chance, and October looks pretty favorable. At this point I should probably pause and sing my husband's praises. This retreating business doesn't work only because we're empty-nesters; it's also that he strikes the most wonderful balance between attentiveness and self-sufficiency, and cheerfully does more than his share of household tasks. He and our sons have an event planned for this weekend, and I'm actually going to have two days and two nights to myself, so I sense another retreat coming on. Still, longing for another return to the Audubon come spring.

19 comments:

D.E. Malone said...

Sounds ideal, Marcia. I had to look where Mayville was since I'd heard of it, but couldn't place where in the state it was. I spent many weekends as a kid in the Campbellsport and West Bend areas, so that's why it sounded familiar. Very pretty country, and you just can't beat the old, restored hotels for ambience and inspiration.

Vijaya said...

That's really lovely Marcia, and I'm glad your husband is not only supportive but independent and helpful. I'm glad you can continue the retreat at home.

Marcia said...

Dawn -- Yes, no wonder you've heard of it if you spent time in that area. :) I'm so glad we found the Living Social deals. I suppose we could go to a cheap motel just to write, but I'm glad we didn't have to!

Vijaya -- I want to go back so much! I figure the solution is to try for the lifestyle as much as possible.

Kelly Polark said...

Wow! That looks so beautiful! Will have to google that place as I live in northern IL!

Anonymous said...

I think a whirlpools should be a deductible capital expense for writers; they're every bit as important to the process as computers and printers.

Leandra Wallace said...

A gorgeous building sitting atop a delicious restaurant? Sounds like a wonderful place for relaxing & writing!

Marcia said...

Anne -- Can we deduct our showers, too, since they're so good for solving story problems?

Leandra -- And in a small, sleepy town, it really is. :)

Marcia said...

Kelly -- It might be just perfect for you!

janet smart said...

What a neat looking Inn. I love it. Maybe someday I'll do something like that. But until I do, I guess my little table in my little room will do. Glad you had a great and productive time.

Marcia said...

Janet -- little tables in little rooms are wonderful. At the inn, I had a little (big enough, though) table in a comfortably-sized room. :)

Kelly Hashway said...

Sounds great! I'm glad you had a good time.

cleemckenzie said...

You must have thoroughly enjoyed your time there. I can see why.

Romance Reader said...

So lovely that you can have the retreat. Great idea.

Marcia said...

Kelly -- Doing it the first time was entirely Anne's idea. She has lots of good ones! :)

Lee -- I was so conscious every minute to enjoy, enjoy, enjoy, because too soon it would end.

Romance Reader -- It did feel really good to be able to do this.

Stephanie Faris said...

Did you find you were able to make a lot of progress on your work in progress by doing that? I probably need something like that the next time I'm on deadline!

Mirka Breen said...

Seems a marvelous place to re-connect in many ways. I sort of suspect it would not work for me toward productive writing, though. But fortification of any kind is ultimately healthy.

Marcia said...

Stephanie -- I did. Not just the word count, but in working things out. The book is clearer in my mind.

Mirka -- It wouldn't work for me if I had to do anything other than write, and it wouldn't work for me if I didn't have my own room. Some writers retreat together and take turns cooking meals. I bring portable food and go out for dinner. No prep; no cleanup!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing experience. I'd love to go to a retreat.

Marcia said...

Medeia -- Once you do, I bet you'll be hooked. :)