I have been to multiple retreats and feel very comfortable with the model. My first experience was in April 2017 when I was considering leaving my PhD because I could not see a way to finish the research project. I have experienced lots of changes (changes in supervisors and topics) and at the end I felt an overwhelming sense of isolation, desperation and doubts that prevented me from progress. My first writing retreat helped me reshape my theoretical framework and make significant progress with my PhD. Ever since April 2017 I have been using retreats as a way to motivate myself and to help myself to address my anxiety associated with writing. I strive to adapt the model in my daily life and use social accountability and structure of writing retreats to make progress. I define the term ‘serial retreater’ as a person who uses writing retreats as a model for writing and it certainly has been revolutionary for my academic life. 

Yes, I have experience various retreats and facilitators. I have been attending Rowena’s retreats and self-organised retreats by her followers as well as writing sessions provided by the university. 

The most important elements of writing retreats are: the structure, social accountability and support of others as well as the setting. In fact, I believe the setting is absolutely vital to the process. It needs to be a quiet environment with good light and no destructions. I also believe in a symbolical meaning of a table and siting in a circle. I have been to retreats with a more relaxed set up where participants could come and go during the writing sessions and use chairs as well as writing outside of the dedicated room and I felt that the ‘relaxed’ component of this environment killed the social accountability and the focused energy I usually feel during writing retreats. It is almost like a ‘quest’ to sit down with your fellow retreaters at the dedicated hour and start writing in a circle each focusing on their own project. There is a sense of belonging and purpose in that setting and that very ‘focused energy’ is what helps me to overcome the most dreadful and most complicated sections of my PhD. 

I find it extremely important. PhD is a very lonely journey and to be able to talk about it with others is extremely important. The advice and support I received during my retreat are invaluable. I also appreciate the opportunity to meet and talk to people from different disciplines and different walks of life. During the PhD process students are often encouraged to attend conferences in order to shape their network and meet fellow academics. I personally find writing retreats to be a much better way to achieve these goals. 

Extremely important. It is the combination of highly concentrated sessions and a good break as well as good food and fresh air which makes writing retreats so productive. Feeling comfortable and be able to truly relax during the break is vital for the process.

The facilitator should be friendly and encouraging, open and approachable as well as structured. These are traits which are not always easy to combine, because at times the role of facilitator requires to interfere in conversations and keep the time in order to maintain the structure. 

Marcella, you are a great facilitator! You always manage to create a very supportive group environment!

Yes, I think so. I certainly learned a lot though attending writing retreats. I believe that my current knowledge about writing could not be gained elsewhere.