What I Learned...

At the retreat.
Yeah, I know I've been home for a week now, but it's still relevant.
1. The retreat's not only about word count. Or it doesn't have to be about word count.
2. Sometimes you have to give yourself permission to say you don't think you know what you're doing.
3. There are always people at the retreat to either kick you back into the chair, or hold your hand while you figure it out.
4. It's okay to feel frustrated and apathetic as long as you don't let it rule you.
5. Dancing in the hall is a good way to unclog your brain.
6. People shouldn't tell you they think they see someone walking in and out of your room (especially when what they see isn't really there) until after you are done sleeping there. (We've always thought the retreat site was haunted.)
7. Sometimes the idea you need is already on your hard drive.
8. Saying you're going to sleep in doesn't mean you'll get to.
9. Having no voice is not an excuse for not writing.
10. If you keep the temperature of your room too hot or too cold, people will not want to linger and talk to you.
There's probably more. But the bottom line is that I went to the retreat in somewhat of a crisis. I had no idea what I wanted to work on and while I ended up with a great idea that I will eventually craft into a book, I was still 'meh' about everything. After spending a lot of time talking and thinking and brainstorming, a short story I wrote a while back was mentioned and it's now being turned into a full length book.
And yes, even with all of the power washing and the insanity of my home, I did manage to open the document and write a few dozen words today. And that makes me feel fantastic.
Behave.