I’m packed and ready to head out for a four-day, three-night writing retreat. My first one, all by myself. I booked a deal for three FREE nights at a hotel and, starting today at about 1pm, I will hunker down in a hotel room and work hard on my novel–a dark, modern YA fantasy I mentioned a few weeks back. Distraction-free for four days, I’m hoping to write enough to put a big dent in my CampNaNoWriMo goal of 60,000 words for the month.
After writing all day, I’ll reward myself with a show, dinner, and/or chatting and high-fiving with interesting people from all over the world at the blackjack tables. That’s right. I will be in. . .
Since I’ll be so immersed in writing my new book you probably won’t see me around for a while.
Just kidding.
Of course I’ll pop in and check on you, my wonderful writer and book junkie friends (hotel WIFI permitting).
Speaking of book junkies. . . my Kindle Paperwhite is brimming with books to be read during the trip. Not that I’ll be able to get to them all , but it’s nice to have a choice, right? What We Need to Survive by Elena Johansen (writer and blogger friend extraordinaire) will definitely be the first book I read, but after that what do you think I should try next?
Kindle TBR for the Vegas Trip:
What We Need to Survive by Elena Johansen
The Uninvited by Cat Winters Thanks for the recommendation Beth @ Betwixt-the-pages!
Sapphire Blue (Red Ruby Trilogy #2) by Kerstin Gier
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
The Last Orphans by N.W. Harris (Thanks to Amanda @ cover2covermom for finding this great deal.)
The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma ( I was disappointed in 17 & Gone, but Suma is a good writer, so I’d like to give her another try.)
Gambit by C.L. Denault (Melanie Noelle Bernard, this book is on this list because of you
The Day We Are Born by Philippa Cameron
Viva Las Vegas!
–Eve Messenger
Eve Messenger 
Wow, looks like a long list for a Vegas trip. I was hoping to get some reading done last year when I went with family members for a wedding and I barely read one book. So good luck on your writing.
For a book set in Arizona, I suggest “Girl Before a Mirror” by Liza Palmer. (I thought it was a fun quick Rom-Com Chick-Lit book)
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Thanks for the recommendation, Michelle. I’m totally going to read that book.
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Welcome. Have fun on your vacation
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Lucky you! I dream of having my own personal writing retreat someday. Hubby doesn’t like the idea; he doesn’t understand.
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I really do understand. My husband’s not super thrilled that I’m leaving either, but I just tried to do everything I could to make sure the kids, pets, and house were taken care of and then I hit the road. Sometimes we have to do things for ourselves, right?
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I wish you a successful writing holiday and I hope the reading won’t distract you too much from the writing 😉 I’m not familiar with any of the books on your list, but I would go with the second one in trilogy.
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(I mean, with any except Elena’s book – which is on my reading list – but you already know you’re going to be reading that one!)
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Thanks! Sapphire Blue it is. 😀
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That’s awesome! Good luck writing in Vegas! I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun – I’m looking forward to seeing your progress! 🙂
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Yayyy, thanks Jorelene!
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Have a great trip!
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Thank you. That’s so sweet!
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I have family in Vegas!
Here’s hoping your retreat is relaxing, filled with productive writing, and JUST the “break” you were looking for! Have a great time!
Also, I spy a book up there you should TRY to get in while on your mini away time. Just sayin’. But…I might be biased, as I’m the reason you want to read it to begin with. Hahaha.
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Totally, Beth! That’s why The Uninvited was right up toward the top of my list. Your book recs are the best! 🙂
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D’aaaaaaaaw, you’re the sweetest person evar. ❤
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I hope you the muse finds you and you get lots of writing done! I also hope you find time to have a little fun too.
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Thank you for the nice well-wishes, Jennifer! I’m thrilled that I was able to find time for both. Looks like you’ve been having fun, too, with your bookish excursions. How was L.A. Times Festival of Books?
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It was my first time going. I had such an amazing time!
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Ah such a wonderful idea!! Hope you have fun!!!
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Thank you!! It was a fruitful and eye-opening experience.
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Ah, this sounds so wonderful! I believe you are now home once more, but I hope that you had an absolutely beautiful time on your retreat, & got much work done. It is the loveliest thing to set aside hours and days to do the things that we love – food for the soul, most certainly. ❤
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It’s so nice to hear from you, Topaz! Yes, it IS lovely to set aside time to do the things we love, and it’s hard not to wish for were MORE time. But I’ll take what I can get and try to do the best I can with it.
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Will you get much writing done in Vegas?! Or even reading! Sounds amazing.
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Annika, it’s so nice to hear from you. I’ve missed see you around the blogosphere of late. Of course, I’m one to talk; with spring break over and CampNaNoWriMo in progress, I’ve barely been able to find time for blogging. Anyway. . . yes, on my Vegas writer’s retreat I managed to type 10,000 words on my new novel and got a really good dose of what it would be like to write full-time.
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I’ve missed you here too, Eve but guessed you were busy. I’m going to buckle down for serious editing next week…I’m very good at procrastinating and still emotionally over in Sweden! Wow! I’m impressed 10,000 words. That must feel great. How did you not get enticed away by the city?? How does it feel this taster session of full time writer? Wishing you Many happy writing hours and good to connect again.
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