Dream holiday: writers retreat

Was just chatting to a girlfriend online, when the idea of us running off to a writers retreat came up. (She’s into theatre professionally and is just one of the most brilliant people I know in real life. Just sitting at her feet to see her poring over a script would be a treat in itself.)

Anyhoo, I did a quick google, not expecting anything at all, when I chanced upon the Olvar Wood Writers Retreat and lost my heart completely.

• Wireless internet access on most of the grounds – check
• Fully-equipped kitchen – check
• Library for research – check
• Stuck in the bush so you can have a quiet weekend of mad writing – check
• Complimentary on-site editorial and critiqueing service – bonus! (they keep saying “complementary editorial” when they mean “complimentary editorial”, but hey. It’s still nice to have someone VOLUNTEER to read your work and tell you what they think!)

It’s an hour away from Brisbane and rates start from $350, although if you just want to be left the hell alone so you can write freely without feeling watched, then rates start from $550. HOW COOL IS THAT!

Either I start saving now, or I aim to be one of those editorial chicks when I retire. WHO’S WITH ME?! (Nobody at this stage, because blog is still shiny and no one  is listening. Yet.)

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Other things done this week…

Radio silence due to the following accomplishments (hurrah!)

• Created sketch of majority of major and minor characters (w00t!)
• Created chart to summarise where all plots are at the start of the book, and where all plots are to end up by the end of the book.
• Started researching images to attach to each character.
• Created two floor plans for two locations.

Huge disclaimer: If you happen to be into architecture and  you happen to be reading this blog,  please don’t think about suing me for gross incompetence. I DON’T DO THIS FOR A LIVING! Far from it. But I enjoy diagramming living spaces.

Days left for planning stage: 31

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Location, location, location…

There are two other computer programs apart from yWriter that I adore, and I am about to make them all converge with the former, for the sole purpose of making this book pweetty.

I used to spend Too Much Time on The Sims, because it was essentially an electronic dollhouse, and I’m a bit girly like that. (Admit it, boy gamers secretly marrying off your Sims after they have multiple Woo-Hoos in the outdoor jacuzzi. You like playing with electronic dollhouses. It’s not just about drowning them for fun by removing the ladder in the pool. I’m on to you.)

I also spend a lot of time in my day job with Microsoft Visio. Which includes many lovely stencils for the planning of office spaces and the like. Also a kind of electronic dollhouse fetish coming into play here, you follow me?

Enter yWriter’s ability to include profiles of locations you refer to in your book. Suddenly, I can get real micro-managery and start putting together line drawings of sets for my characters. And when I’m through with that, I can load Sims and choose wall paper and furniture.

I’m only half kidding, by the way. If I’m going to describe how characters are sitting relative to each other in the office, I’m going to have to draw the office. I’m visual. I work that way. It sounds like a cheap excuse to bash away at playing House again virtually, but because I’m not going to get past this block until I get this out of my system – and because it’s so much fun (for me), guess what I’ll be doing tomorrow night.

All this, thought up while in the shower this morning. Told you inspiration strikes there.

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