It's been several years since I held a virtual retreat here at the blog. So I thought I'd re-share the retreat I posted for you in 2012. I hope you enjoy another writing retreat at the beach! Be sure to turn up your sound on the videos. Well worth it for the relaxation. :)
Before we start, though, I wanted to share some inspiration. I just read an article at CNN.com by Ashley Strickland about the launching of the Parker Solar Probe. I was very moved by the end of the article (click here to read). For the first time, NASA named a spacecraft in honor of a living person. In 1958, as a young physicist at University of Chicago, Eugene Parker submitted a paper to a journal predicting the existence of solar winds. The "referees" of the journal rejected it as "radical." But Parker appealed to the editor, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (winner of a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983), who ended up publishing the paper. Later, Parker's theory was confirmed. Today, Parker is the S. Chandrasekhar Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago. He's also been given NASA's distinguished public service medal...and has a spacecraft named after him that will be the first to go to the sun. How cool is that?
I hope this inspires you as much as it did me! And now...on to our virtual beach retreat...
Missy, here, coming to you with a little more tan and a lot more freckles! Our family just returned from a vacation on the beautiful Alabama coast. Spent a glorious week at the beach with my husband and three kids. Once again, I thought I'd share! Today, you can have your very own mini-writing retreat. :)
Good morning! Time to get up and spend some peaceful time on the balcony. A nice cup of coffee, your Bible and a deserted, quiet beach await.
Once you finish breakfast and your devotional, it's time to write! The sound of the ocean waves hitting the shore is the perfect white noise for me. I hope it speaks to you like it does to me! Here's your morning soundtrack.
And a special treat! We saw a double rainbow one morning!
So after a session of writing, the beach is filling and the kids at the pool are starting in on a game of Marco-Polo. It's difficult to concentrate now, so it's probably time to break for lunch on the balcony and a little time at the pool or beach yourself. Here's your afternoon soundtrack...
After lunch, head down for digging your toes in the sand...
...and setting up to read under your beach umbrella! Because remember how much we learn about writing from reading. :)
If you'd like to work for a while down on the beach, here's your afternoon beach soundtrack...
Once you're done, it's time to quit for the day and spend time with the family. Time for a beautiful dinner at your favorite restaurant on the bay, where you can look at all the yachts and dream about how it might feel to own one.
Then back to the condo to watch the glorious sunset...
Ahhhh. I don't know about you, but I feel relaxed and inspired to start again tomorrow. Do you feel rested? Did you get a lot accomplished on your retreat? :) What's your favorite place to write? Let's chat about writing retreats.
Today, I'm giving away a tote bag that says "Life is Beautiful" as well as a Kindle copy of my indie novella His Summer Valentine to one lucky winner!
Speaking of His Summer Valentine... If you didn't read it in the Coffee Shop Romances boxed set, then be sure to get your copy today! And if you've already read it, please consider leaving a review. They're really helpful to authors!
Let me know in the comments if you'd like to be entered for the giveaway!
*******************
His Summer Valentine
Opposites attract in this novella-length inspirational romance (Christian romance) Book 1!
Willow Valentine is on a quest—granted, a crazy one. When her car breaks down in the middle of a 4th of July parade in the tiny town of Dahlia, Georgia, she can’t help but wonder if God was bringing her here all along. After the handsome Trent Meriwether comes to her aid, she’s tempted to believe God has. But she, like her dad, is the type to keep moving on. Can she truly avoid that Valentine itch and settle in this town, especially when she finds she’s quickly falling for Trent, a man with deep roots in Dahlia?
Trent has moved back to his hometown to make amends and support his family. Though his grandmother warns him the Valentines are drifters, he finds himself intrigued by Willow. She makes him laugh and feel hopeful for the first time in ages. But how can he look twice at someone so much younger, someone who could pick up and leave at any moment—even if she is like a ray of sunshine to his troubled soul?
Welcome to the small town of Dahlia, Georgia, where everyone feels at home!
(Note: This story previously appeared in the 2015 Coffee Shop Romances collection.)
***************
After more than 10 years of pursuing her dream of publication, Missy Tippens, a pastor’s wife and mom of three from near Atlanta, Georgia, made her first sale to Harlequin Love Inspired in 2007. Her books have since been nominated for numerous awards, including Romance Writers of America RITA® Award. Visit Missy at www.missytippens.com and sign up for her newsletter!
https://www.facebook.com/missy.tippens.readers
https://twitter.com/MissyTippens
Good morning everyone! Coffee (hot and iced) and tea are on! And I’ve baked ooey gooey cinnamon rolls for you. Hope you have a few minutes to enjoy a quick break!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Missy! I get so much more done at the beach or the lake...or in the city or mountains for that matter. Any time I get to get "away." The lack of distraction is paramount. Doesn't just work for writing, but for more mundane things like balancing checkbook.
ReplyDeleteA day of errands and secular work, but hope to get back to my "real" writing tomorrow.
Kathy B
Kathy, I never thought about using getaway time for mundane things! But you're right that it's so much easier without distractions.
DeleteHope you have a productive errand day.
I used to brainstorm stories while floating on a raft in the ocean. That was in my pre-pubbed days. Now I try to unwind when I'm at the beach...although story ideas still pop into my head, especially when I'm in the water! I'm totally a beach person. That's my happy place. Love the Gulf! Crystal clear water and fine, white sand. I'm so there!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It is always good to get away to recharge and unwind! Thanks for sharing and I would love to be included in your giveaway.
DeleteDebby, I love the idea of brainstorming on a raft in the ocean! I love to try to just get away while on vacation, but it seems I'm always more inspired while in a new setting. So I often use the early morning before anyone else is up for time to think about my writing.
DeleteConnie, thanks for stopping by! I've got you entered.
DeleteFun post, Missy. Love the ocean sounds. I'm really jealous. I love the ocean. Where I live, we are fortunate to only be a half day drive to the Rocky Mountains, which is another beautiful place of nature. But it is a really long drive to the ocean. We do have Lake McConaughey not far from us, which has white sand beaches. Not quite the same as the ocean, but I ought to go there more often. Maybe it would be a similar feel.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the drawing. I have read Coffee Shop Romances but would read your story again!
Sandy, I love the lake, too! There's something so peaceful about the still water, and sometimes you can still hear the water lapping at the shore. You'll have to go sometime and tell us if it's a good place to write. I bet it will be!
DeleteI'm also inspired by the mountains. I love to go to the Smokies.
Hope you had a great trip, Missy! What a nice respite.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how much writing I'd get done at the beach. Too many distractions. I'd be sitting there thinking of all the things there are to do.
Mindy, I'm usually content to sit and read under my umbrella on the beach. However, hubby and kids are usually trying to drag me out to do something. :)
DeleteThat's why I love the quiet mornings!
Thank you for this virtual trip to the beach, Missy! I haven't made a real trip there for years. The last time I was at a beach...oh, my...it was almost thirty-nine years ago, and that was the North Sea in October. No digging bare toes into the sand!
ReplyDeleteSome day, I hope to get back to the ocean... Meanwhile, I'll stick with our mountains. My ideal retreat would be to sit in my own office with a view into the pine forest out my window. Or on the deck, looking out onto the Badlands.
And no lawn mowers....
:-) At least, that's the dream. *sigh* Back to writing in the real world!
Jan, I love the idea of looking out at a forest!
DeleteAnd actually, I love the drone of lawn mowers. It brings good childhood memories of hearing my dad outside mowing.
Missy, Thank you for the virtual beach trip! Loved those photos!
ReplyDeleteCaryl, thanks for taking a quick trip to the beach with me! :)
DeleteI love the sound of the waves on the shore. Though I prefer the North Shore of Lake Superior to the beach, I find inspiration looking out at the vast ocean and contemplating how big God is and how small I am.
ReplyDeleteSitting beside the water is a great place for a re-set of priorities and perspective, isn't it?
You're so right, Erica! It's a reminder to me of God's power.
DeleteI have to say the water in Mary's recent photos was gorgeous!! I'd love to see your state.
They call it the land of 10,000 lakes, but it's more like 11-12K? And those are just the Named lakes! :)
DeleteComing from Kansas where there are NO natural lakes, it was quite a switch! :)
Beautiful photos! Normally, I'm not a fan of the beach, but you've inspired me. :) Please enter me in the giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteLeAnne, I'm glad you found a bit of inspiration! I've got you entered.
DeleteThis was wonderful, Missy. I'll be honest, I think my virtual writing retreat will begin on Thursday, when my kids return to school. I enjoy writing in the shade with the water lapping on the shore . . . or flowing as a creek on a mountainside. There's just something about the sound of water meeting land that I love. :)
ReplyDeleteJeanne, I agree about the sound of water meeting land! I'm always so refreshed when I visit the mountains and see a bubbling stream or rushing river. The reason I've done these videos is because I always do them for myself to listen to later!
DeleteHi Missy:
ReplyDeleteWell, how many years has it been now?
When you first ran this post I used the videos to sell my wife on coming to the beach and staying at the same place.
I not only sold her on coming once but she's wanted to come back every year since! And we have!
In a way, I feel like the poor Catholic bride who wanted to marry a protestant so he had to go to six weeks of Catholic dogma classes. Not only did the guy become a proud Catholic but he decided to enter the priesthood!
That's overselling!
Idea: we usually see two to three beach weddings during our stay. The balcony is a great location for taking photos. I suggest next time you make a video of the wedding as it would be very much in tune with the theme of a Romance website. Hint: they usually put the chairs out on the beach early in the morning of the wedding so you'll have notice in advance.
Vince
Vince, every time we go to Orange Beach, we think of you and Linda! That first time I put up the virtual retreat was in 2011. I think y'all went the next year. :)
DeleteWould you believe I've only seen one beach wedding in all the decades we've been coming to the beach? And that one time was when I was with my critique partners on a writing retreat! We pulled out lawn chairs and watched from our balcony. Yes, it was writing research! haha
Missy,
ReplyDeleteMy writing retreats look a little differently as I usually go somewhere local for the day - the library, a room at my church, Barnes & Noble, and in nice, cool weather I've gone to the park. It's a great way to get out of the office here at home and have some time to write uninterrupted!
Please enter me in the drawing!
Edwina, I love the idea of short retreats to get out of the normal routine. You're smart to do that!
DeleteI've got you entered!
I wish I really could be at a beach retreat. I have been able to write 575 words today. Hopefully more tonight. This has been one of those days where I had to be at several places. First I enjoyed my card making class I have every Monday Morning. Then I ate lunch wile riding in the van with my friend driving so I could make it to a dentist appointment which is in another town. Since we were already close to yet another town we ran to Michaels to get some things we needed. I made it home about an hour ago but Have been on the phone with my sister since we both need each other right now That was a good things. I wrote a little this morning and then a little just now. I need to eat supper and then hopefully take a nap before getting more written. At least I am ahead of the goal I set for this month to write at least 31 k. I am now at 16 k.
ReplyDeleteWilani, what a busy day! And you wrote, too. Way to go!
DeleteBoy, I love a trip to Michaels! I would have spent way too long. :)
I'm glad you and your sister have each other for support. My sister and I have found the same.
I wouldn't get any reading done. Too many distractions.
ReplyDeleteKim, it takes me a little while to block out the distractions. But soon, I'm in my story world and don't hear much at all. My kids always fuss about how I don't even hear them calling my name! :)
DeleteWonderful post, Missy! And it was fun to see you highlighting Willow & Trent's story. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth. I hope you enjoyed your recent vacation!
DeleteAhhhh, what a fun, relaxing post, Missy!
ReplyDeleteAnd as I've told you, I *loved* His Summer Valentine (read it last week while I was at the beach!) and happily posted a review. :)
Thanks for sharing today, and blessings on your week!
Hugs, Patti Jo
Patti Jo, bless you!! I really appreciate that! You are my first review at Amazon on this new version. :) :)
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the story. I hope you enjoyed your beach vacation! I saw sweet grand baby beach photos on FB! She's so precious. :)
Oops! That was me. I forgot to sign back into being me. :)
DeleteI can see how a writing retreat could be rejuvenating. Pity I'm not a writer.
ReplyDeleteMary, a retreat would be nice for non-writers as well! I know Janet has retreats with a group of ladies she does card-making with. :)
DeleteWhat a lovely getaway. Thanks for the giveaway - would love to be entered.
ReplyDeleteMindy, thanks for taking the trip with us! I've got you entered.
DeleteHi Missy:
ReplyDeleteI know it is late in the game but I have an idea for a romance novella:
A Seaside Wedding…
I believe that seaside wedding hold a high interest in readers who wonder what it would be like. Google 'Orange Beach Seaside Weddings' and you'll see beach weddings starting at under $500. It's a great way to save a lot of money and get some beautiful wedding photos.
Having a setting which has high reader interest is a great way to up book sales -- especially for Indie writers.
Just image the cover art!
Perhaps the heroine could be a wedding planner so the inside workings of such a wedding can be fully covered within the normal flow of events.
I'd love to read it.
Vince
Thanks for the suggestion, Vince!
Delete