The Write Stuff

I had the best time this weekend. And all my writing buddies are gonna be soooo jealous.

So where was I?

Out in the middle of nowhere. And I loved it.

I had the privilege of joining fellow writers Jan Ackerson and Lynn Diener for a weekend writer's getaway.

Lynn was kind of enough to offer up her family cottage on Shavehead Lake near Vandalia, Michigan. I don't even know how to describe where it is except that when I left my house, all I had to do was drive an hour west.

Of course, I'm directionally challenged so it was no surprise that I had issues during my short journey. It was going really well until my path was blocked by a construction detour that left me unsure of  whether I could reach my turnoff or not.

I conferred with a man at a gas station and ended up taking the detour...that had no signs to mark the route. After another gas station stop and consultation with a drunk guy, (don't ask) I ended up on a back road, way out in farm country where I could hear the cows mooing.

Dark was closing in and I was starting to stress. I considered stopping to ask directions (again!) but  had safety concerns about the desolate area. Of course, I could have asked the man weaving down the middle of the road, dressed in some getup with knickers and a yellow wig. He and his dog tipped a glass at me as I zoomed by, deciding I'd rather keep going than risk interacting with another intoxicated person.

Lynn and I

By this time, I was ready to drink.

But eventually I ended up back on the main road, barely on the other side of the detour. Many winding turns, retracing of routes, and phone calls later, I found my way to Lynn and Jan.

We chatted, had dinner, sprawled out all over the living room, and just had the best time. We wrote, bounced ideas, and brainstormed our little hearts out.

Saturday morning we started in again. Several pots of coffee later, we were feeling pretty buzzed up. Then Jan broke out her chocolate stash...mmm...writer heaven.

And so it went all day long. Every now and then we'd take a break. They went for a walk while I stayed behind to do a little recreational reading. (Too cold for me--yes, I'm a wus.)

Don't they look writerly?

Each of us worked on various projects, Jan mostly on her blog while Lynn concentrated on her Page Turner entry. My goal was to review my manuscript from two years ago so that I could continue it and finally complete the story for this year's NaNoWriMo competition.

I'm pleased to say that I accomplished my goal and had the best time too--who could ask for anything more?  NaNo is just a day away and I'm pretty confidant that I'm at least ready to tackle it...for the most part...

My work station on the couch

And for all you writers out there that are salivating and green with envy?  Good news! Lynn's planning on doing it again in the spring.

Stay tuned--you definitely don't want to miss out.

I Had An AWESOME Time!

(Minus the drunk guys, of course)