A Successful Retreat and One Happy Writer

I hereby declare my writing retreat a success. On the morning of my last full day there, I hit Send! I could go home happy.

Guelph Collage

Not only did I accomplish what I’d hoped to with my novel manuscript (my first for adults), I also managed to do some work on a picture book text and resubmitted it to the publisher who’d offered me editorial feedback.

I didn’t do much reading, or knitting, or take much advantage of the Netflix available to me, but I did get out each day for a short walk in the neighbourhood where I spent most of my hours holed up in “my” lovely little studio apartment. That’s where I made the recent photo on my Facebook page and the one accompanying this post. (Scroll to June 1 if you’d like to see the original and highly edited version. Warning: I’m obsessed with the editing of words and photos.)

Flying high after hitting Send (a magic word in the life of a writer even if the Reply eventually lands you anywhere but up) — feeling so satisfied with what my retreat allowed me to do — I revisited the blog post about solitude by Margaret Buffie that I referred to in my previous post and I thought, ‘Yes. She has captured it absolutely right.’ If you didn’t click on the link to it last time, I’m giving you a second chance to discover the wonderful art and quotes that she included along with her own wise words.

Home again now, I’m preparing for my next adventure as a writer. Please come back for my report in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, a huge thanks to Peter Carver for holding the fort here with almost no grumbling at all during my absences this month.

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Kathy Stinson is the author of the classic Red Is Best and the award-winning The Man with the Violin. Her wide range of titles includes picture books, non-fiction, young adult fiction, historical fiction, horror, biography, series books, and short stories. She has met with her readers in every province and territory of Canada, in the United States, Britain, Liberia, and Korea. She lives in a small town in Ontario.

Kathy Stinson

6 Comments

  1. Margaret Buffie on June 8, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    Enjoyed this very much, Kathy. We see things in a similar way and we both love our cameras, too. Wait. I just saw I saw my name mentioned! Thank you for that!! I had no idea when I clicked on your blog. Glad you liked me “Solitude” post. I’m sending your new book best wishes – along with with your “send”.
    Best,
    Margaret

    • kathystinson on June 12, 2017 at 4:04 pm

      Sorry I missed this when you posted it, Margaret. A glitch with notifications. My failing to let you know I was referring to your blog was a glitch with my memory. Thanks for your good wishes! All best to you on your latest project too.

  2. Dad on June 8, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    You make me a very happy & proud father.?

    • kathystinson on June 12, 2017 at 4:05 pm

      Thank you. That’s good. I’m a proud daughter. 🙂

  3. Miriam on June 11, 2017 at 9:20 am

    Looking forward to your first adult novel.

    • kathystinson on June 12, 2017 at 4:05 pm

      Thanks, Miriam. I expect it will be a while yet! (I don’t dare think it could be never.)

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