Thursday Thirteen - 129 - 13 Reasons Why It's So Much Fun to Go to the Writers' Retreat

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It's somehow come into vogue to deny the glamorous life we romance writers lead. Out here on the east coast, we're straight to the point. Divas rule.


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Dinner out with the ladies from the retreat? Sign me up! This is Kelly Boyce and I enjoying our pinot grigios.


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Lots of fantastic, yummy food. Mmm.


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Watching movies at night with the 'Stacked Librarian'.


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The walk over to the lodge from the cottage where we stayed. We've rented this White Point Beach cottage for four years now and we've already established several traditions, including this beautiful 20-minute walk which weaves onto the rocky beach and over to the resort.


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Once at the lodge, we treat ourselves to dinner at their oceanside restaurant.


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I'm slowly making my way through their tempting menu. This year I had seafood fettucine, with mussels, shrimp, scallops and lobster. Divine.


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The waves were really high over the weekend. Heidi and I went for a walk along the beach on the Friday that we arrived. The energy of the sea was too much of a siren call to resist.


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A retreat is a perfect time to notice details.


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Retreats are great for taking leisurely walks with a writer friend like Annette and talk about gray characters and being drawn to darker storylines.


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This is the view from the cottage, which looks over a protected inlet. The rough sea can be seen on the other side of the water. A strip of land separates the open water from the inlet. I've never seen white caps from the cottage before this year. Click on the picture and look for the white surf in the left center clearing on the horizon.


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This was our first fall retreat, and the woods beside the cottage were brilliant with color.


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We actually did manage to fill many hours with writing. Cheers to everyone's works in progress!

Annette Gallant says LOL I don't even bother to take a camera anymore because I know you'll be taking such good pictures.

Journeywoman says Sounds wonderful!

Apprentice Writer says Insane with jealousy at people who not only go on writer retreats but do so in stunning Nova Scotia, I of course resolved to refuse to look at any of the photos. Lasted about a second.