The Gift of Writing Time

Gifts come in all shapes and sizes, but in my opinion, the very best present for the writer in your life is the gift of time.

This past summer, I attended the Middle Grade and Young Adult Whole Novel Workshop at the Highlights Foundation in Honesdale, PA. For a week I lived in this woodsy cabin, where I worked on a total rewrite of my 2017 Pitch Wars novel.

When I wasn't meeting with my mentor, attending workshops, or exploring the beautiful surroundings, I was writing at this desk:

The handmade quilts in my cabin reminded me of the quilts my grandmother used to make. Yes, this place felt like a home-away-from home.

Delectable farm-to-table food was served three times a day. Don't even get me started on the yummy snacks and drinks, available 24/7.

A grant from the Ohio Arts Council made my trip to Highlights possible, but the week away was also a gift from my husband. I left during a hectic time. School was starting for my youngest daughter and we were in the process of selling our home. But my husband insisted my writing take top priority. He would handle my usual home tasks. My job was to pack my suitcase and fly away to pursue my dream of becoming a middle grade author.

Quiet, interrupted writing time is indeed a gift.

I'm thankful for it, whether I'm writing in the woods or simply holed away at my home desk, immersed in story.


More information about the Highlights Foundation workshops can be found here:
https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/about-us/