By Jennifer Rupp
2024 will mark my 8th Novel Bookcamp. The first 5 years, I attended the daily Bookcamp workshops and because the week was structured, all I had to do was show up and soak up. The last couple years, I’ve opted for the retreat. The retreat, I’ve found, proves much more beneficial if I set some goals in advance. Here are some suggested goals/practices that help me get the most out of my favorite week of the year.
- Read any recent publications by Novel Bookcamp instructors and retreaters. That way, I’ve got something to talk about when we’re having dinner. Plus buying, reading, and reviewing the work of your fellow writers is just the right thing to do.
- Read the sample pages submitted by fellow retreaters. In the past, we haven’t always submitted samples the way the campers do. This year, SJ Rozan would like retreaters to submit pages so that we can all have an understanding of what we’re all working on.
- Set a reasonable, achievable, measurable goal for the week. It could be a total word count, scene count, chapter count. And it doesn’t have to be new words. It can be revision or self-editing. Maybe you want to focus on a query letter and synopsis. Coming away from the retreat with stellar submission materials will be time well spent.
- Don’t forget to make some networking goals. Sit with someone new at every meal. Ask questions about their writing. Follow fellow campers and retreaters on social media. They will be future advocates for your published work.
- Reflect at the end of the day. What did you do right? What do you need to work on? What did you learn? What did you share?
The retreat week is found time, time to do all those things you don’t have time to do in your real life. Make the most of it.
