I have just returned from a writers’ retreat a few hours from my home at the beautiful Blue Belle Inn in St. Ansgar, Iowa.
Sadly, a few friends (Erica Vetsch, Gabrielle Meyer, and Lorna Seilstad) had to stay home due to C*vid in their families or being sick themselves. Disappointing, for sure. But the rest of us regrouped to share rooms and have a fun, productive retreat.
The attendees were a mix of experienced writers and new, and we had blocks of time to write, broken with informal times for brainstorming and encouraging conversation, as well as delicious meals.
I enjoyed spending time with seasoned writers like Mary Connealy (who has written 65 books, if you can believe it!) as well as new writers just starting out, like Jenny and Stacey. And I made good progress on my new book for 2022.
Do you enjoy spending time with like-minded people, too?
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That looks like a wonderful place for a writing retreat and not a bad trip from the Chicago area where I live. Something to tuck away for later perhaps. Nice to see some familiar faces in your group photo. I’m curious if y’all made special arrangements with the owners for the accommodations. I notice they have a separate two story house behind the main house. Did you use that instead of the rooms in the main house?
A few of us were in the house next door and the others were in the main B & B. Erica made some arrangements in advance (like a group lunch and the chocolate fondue we had one night), but otherwise whoever wanted to come made their own room reservations. The innkeeper is a great cook and also a writer, which made it even more fun.
Sounds like a wonderful time. I enjoy the pictures!
Blessings!
Thanks, Betty!
I LOVE attending writing retreats! I’m so glad you were able to go. 🙂
Thanks, Becky. I saw that you, Courtney, and Katie enjoyed your own retreat recently. I’m sure that was fun, too.
How fun! I’ve loved a writing retreat I’ve done here in Texas with friends over the past few years. Hoping to get back to it in 2022!
The food looks delicious. Just a plug for Robin, her Legacy of Faith collection (3 books) is on sale in ebook for $3.99!
How wonderful you were able to meet in person in a relaxed setting. I’ve been to the ACFW conference and the James River Conference so far this fall but they were both virtual. Which has it’s advantages but, yes, I miss getting together with other writers. Even the ACFW VA chapter is still virtual in November. Eventually we will get to gather like you did.
I am so glad I was able to attend!It was wonderful.
It was a lovely getaway to get words on the page. It’s always a pleasure to spend time with likeminded friends. That chocolate fondue was amazing. I don’t even want to think about the calories I consumed…eeek!!!