Getting Away to Get Down to Business

I recently left town for a few days to be part of the Press Corp for the Inaugural Convention of the Dairy Girl Network. This was a great opportunity to wear two of my hats at once and it taught me so much. I won’t get into the importance of colostrum for calves, because this really isn’t the place for that. The pearl of wisdom I want to share with you is about getting away to help get back on track with your writing. This wasn’t easy for me. I had so many reasons not to leave (and I gave birth to 4 of those reasons) but yet I came back ready to give 110% again. It was a great opportunity to learn, network, but most of all to recharge my batteries.

We often hear how important it is to write every day – to practice our craft like an athlete prepares for a marathon. Just like an athlete needs time to rest their body, we as writers need time to rest our minds. A change of scenery, an upset in routine, some new faces and different places – all of those things will help with creativity and concentration. It wouldn’t even need to be a writer’s workshop or anything relating to our trade. A romantic weekend with our spouse, an indoor waterpark with our

Wine n Canvas - and new friend Tami Smith from Williamsburg, PA

kiddos, shopping with girlfriends and a hotel with a cozy bar are just some suggestions for getting away. It doesn’t need to be long (but it can be if that’s what works for you). It doesn’t need to be a far off destination. I’ve known authors to stay at a cute B&B right in their own town or in a neighboring town.

As for me…After 3 days and 2 nights out of town with a girlfriend and her toddler as well as my youngest, I came home and you wouldn’t believe all I’ve been able to accomplish. (Did I mention there was wine and canvas?) This wasn’t a romantic getaway and in fact, I still had a child in tow – but it was certainly a change of pace. Now that I’m home, I’m more productive but more important, I’m renewed. I’m not as short tempered with the children, I’m now sighing about all the never-ending laundry, and I have a smile on my face that was missing for quite some time.

How have you gotten away?

 Are there some destinations that work better than others for helping you feel renewed?

 How has getting away helped you get down to business?

 What tips do you have for other authors?

 What type of getaway works best on a small budget?

Share your thoughts and ideas with your friends – we love to hear from you!

Hugs,
~Crystal

Crystal is a church musician, babywearing mama (aka crunchy mama), business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger, Blog Tour Manager with WOW! Women on Writing, Publicist with Dream of Things Publishing, Press Corp teammate for the DairyGirl Network, as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin with her husband, four young children (Carmen 9, Andre 8, Breccan 3, and Delphine 1), two dogs, two rabbits, four little piggies, a handful of cats and kittens, and over 230 Holsteins.

You can find Crystal riding unicorns, taking the ordinary and giving it a little extra (making it extraordinary), blogging and reviewing books, baby carriers, cloth diapers, and all sorts of other stuff at:http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/ and http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/