Tuesday 17 January 2023

What do authors do on a retreat? Folly Farm 2023 by Tracy Darnton

 A hardy bunch of Scattered Authors met for a windswept, rainy weekend at Folly Farm in the countryside near Bristol. Our first full retreat after last year’s slimmed down, Covid-conscious one, it was fabulous to spend time together away from all the distractions of home – and to have someone else doing all the cooking.



So what do we actually do on retreat?

Muddy walks

Chat

Morning stretches

Clay creatures



Improv drama games

Kids lit quiz

Eat cake

Play Codewords

Workshop our writing

Offload

Tell ghost stories round the fire


Eat flapjacks

Swap knowhow

Play the kazoo

Admire each other's stationery



Chat

Life coaching for authors

Share successes and failures

Reflect on the childhood books that shaped us

Writing exercises

Stay in bed

Exchange school visit good practice

Chat

Eat cake

Read

Brainstorm plot problems and titles

Share our work over wine

Enjoy the view 



Talk about using myths and legends in our work

Cement old friendships and forge new ones

Eat shortbread

Chat

Laugh

 

What else? Three delicious breakfasts, lunches and suppers.

Some of us even wrote a line or two.


If you’re a Scattered Author who'd like to come along and stay for the three-night residential 12th-15th January 2024 or to pop along as a day visitor, keep an eye out for details later in the year.

Find out more about joining the Society of Scattered Authors at the website



Tracy Darnton is a writer for children and young people. Her latest YA thriller is Ready or Not. She's already looking forward to next year's Folly Farm retreat. 

2 comments:

catdownunder said...

Oh, I think those bright green screens are my envious reflection!

michelle lovric said...

Also feeling green. Sounds wonderful.