Tiffany Painter

If you ever tried to carve out space for creating something, you will understand this. Sometimes you just have to run away from home so you can slow down and do the work. At home, even when you give yourself time, there are distractions and demands. There is a to-do list waiting for you, a dog that needs walking, a spouse with a “quick question,” weeds that need pulling. You get the idea. It is very hard to get lost in your thoughts and then lock yourself away from all of that to be able to arrange those thoughts into sentences that make sense. So I did what needed to be done and I left home. Just for a week. I am about to embark on a week at a writing retreat/workshop where the only thing on my must-do list is write. I will be able to stick with a thought and not have to try to stay in the moment between stops and starts. Life has a way of creeping in when it’s not wanted at home. I started my adventure yesterday with a day of flying. For some reason, every flight must have a transfer in Chicago. Someday I hope to leave that airport and see the actual city. My baby plane (only room for 50 passengers) got me to another city where I spent the night at a hotel and started meeting fellow creatives – who all flew through Chicago. Today five of us will share a car and drive another hour to our destination. There, we will spread out in cabins and lodges to enjoy five days of writing heaven. There will be 21 kid-lit authors working on their stories alone, with each other, with faculty of published authors, and, most importantly, undisturbed. I’m not saying a change of location will make me an award winning author, but it will let me focus on something important to me. For five whole days – longer if you count the time I outlined on the plane and in the hotel room. Some people will take golf trips, go on fishing adventures, or beach vacations. For me, this is the dream. I forgot to mention all meals and snacks will be prepared by dedicated staff. And there is yoga in the morning to kick off the days. Seriously, I’m living in a fantasy this week. I have had a few months to push aside any guilt about running away. Funny that I started with guilt about taking a week for myself and what I fully consider my work. But with a little help from my friends and family, I let those feelings go. Everyone should be allowed time for their craft if possible. It would be wasted time to be here and guilty. So I hope the rest of you have a great week and the world doesn’t fall apart without me. I have someplace to be.

10/15

promise of a new day
before missteps can happen
dreams still possible

10/18

attendees coming
check-in table ready
names displayed today

10/24

morning shadows chill
glowing reds of autumn warms
spotlighted by sun

10/25

start of the journey
headed for adventure
bags and mind ready