Why are writers' retreats so popular?

What are you trying to say? We all want to say something. We live in a society that "values" people who can accomplish things, who have things to express. We're taught to be able to get what we want and put it into words. But that's not how life works. Often times, we don't know what we're saying until someone asks. And even then, sometimes our words don't come out right, or they change shape after they leave our mouths—or maybe they didn't leave us at all, but stayed inside us and won't come out at all. And that's when we write. It's a way to express ourselves through fiction, poetry, nonfiction or even just for journaling. Everyone expresses themselves in their own way, but writing is one of the most universal of human experiences—it is what makes us human. We are all writers at some point in our lives, whether it be as children jotting down letters to Santa or as adults putting our ideas onto paper to share with anyone willing to listen. These experiences might not be exactly glamorous or professional, but they're important because these are when you learn how writing can make you feel. Some of us feel the need to keep that feeling alive well into our adult life. And some of us do that by going on a writers' retreat. In fact, this kind of retreat has become increasingly popular recently.

People who write for a living—or who want to write for a living—are often drawn to the idea of a writers' retreat. These events, which can vary from a single day to several weeks, offer the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, have time to relax and reflect, socialize with other like-minded people, and have fun while they're at it. But why do these retreats hold such an allure?

Writers' retreats are the perfect setting to find like-minded people

At first blush, it makes sense that the popularity of writer's retreats is a result of their promise to provide an idyllic environment for those who wish to "get away from it all." But there are more at play than just the sunshine and tranquility; it's because of the selectivity of such events that they're able to offer such a feeling of community, as well. When you head off to a writers' retreat with other writers, you've already established one commonality between yourself and everyone else there: writing. You know that in most cases, everyone else there is going to be thinking about the same things you are—creating fictional worlds, creating characters, creating stories—and that they'll probably have been doing so in a similar way. Even though you may not know anyone personally, there's no need for your guard to be up because the chances are good that you can find someone to relate to.

Sometimes you just need to get away from it all

A writers' retreat does provide a respite from the pressures of everyday life too. For many people in today's world, there are so many ways that we feel pulled in different directions all at once. Whether it's work, school, relationships, or something else entirely that keeps us busy, we can often feel overworked and exhausted by the end of the day. A writers' retreat allows us to take a break from that rush and instead focus on ourselves (and our writing). We may not be able to completely tune everything out, but we can find peace and quiet amidst the chaos so that we can focus on what matters most: getting words on paper.

Writers are introverts. And introverts sometimes need to get out of their comfort zone

It's an unfortunate truth that writers need to be social, but it's a necessary one, too. Writers spend so much of their lives alone that they have to be able to interact with others in a stimulating and fun way. The upside is that introverts can learn not only how to be more social, but also how to manage their time in a way that lets them do it without feeling exhausted.

As one might expect, many writers retreats and conferences cater heavily to the introverts out there. They offer small group sessions where aspiring authors can meet with other writers and receive feedback on what they've already written. These groups allow for comfortable interactions between people who share an interest, but who may not know each other very well. It's a great way for an introvert to get used to talking about their work with people they don't know very well—and you never know who may become an important contact in the future.

Learning from fellow writers' experiences can make you better at what you do

We all know the value of spending time with people who challenge us and inspire us to be better versions of ourselves. The same can be said for writers, sometimes even more so. We may be able to sit at our computer for hours on end writing away, but we can also spend hours feeling down on ourselves because we're not producing at a fast enough rate or because we feel like what we're writing isn't good enough.

A writers' retreat is a great way to get out of your everyday environment—away from distractions and the pressures of daily life—and spend time with other writers who can offer you support and advice. The experience can even help you hone your skills as a writer with the help of an experienced writer and gather insights on how other writers overcome difficulties (not to mention learn from others' successes).

Are you ready to join your first writers' retreat?

Writers retreats are so popular because they work! A writers' retreat is one of the best ways to improve your writing, and writers often return home inspired and renewed. They take away with them new ideas, a desire to write more, and an overall feeling of accomplishment—the same feeling you get after completing a big project or finishing a good book. If you're serious about writing and want to take your craft to the next level, try a writers' retreat. You'll be glad you did!