Rhonda Douglas is an award-winning poet and fiction author. She’s the host of The Resilient Writers Radio Show podcast for writers, and the creator of First Book Finish.

Living and writing in Ottawa, Canada, she’s committed to helping writers overcome fear and eliminate distractions so that they can write with ease and achieve their writing dreams.

On this episode, we’re talking about writing retreats.

Rhonda has vast experience with a range of retreats from the high-end paid ones to free events you can create in the comfort of your own home. By yourself or with friends, a writing retreat is what you make it.

Rhonda tells us how retreats are page boosters, and if you bring them into a regular part of your schedule, they can be a lot of fun. She shares how to do advanced planning that works best for you and your lifestyle for a 3-day retreat. Making it fun and comfortable is very important to her. She comes prepared with writing prompts, scheduled breaks, and the pomodoro technique.

Listen in to learn her tips on balancing productive writing with relaxing downtime. Even if you can’t do a 3-day retreat, make the most of the time you DO have. If you can’t write for hours at a time, that’s okay. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

Don’t wait for “ideal conditions” like a spotless home or enough energy to feel like what you’re writing is perfect. Ideal conditions are myths. We must stop telling ourselves false stories about our limitations. Start by regulating your nervous system, then find your writing flow NOW!

Download her FREE The Busy Writers' Guide to DIY Writing Retreats, then connect with Rhonda on her website and Instagram. Make sure to listen in to the Resilient Writers Radio Show too!

Journal Prompts:

If money were no object, what would your ideal writing retreat weekend look like?

In your current situation, what would an ideal D.I.Y. writing retreat look like?

What preparation needs to be done for your retreat?

Never forget that you are worthy!

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