#40 The Smoky Writers…without Pip or Tee

Are you ready for the the second on time podcast this year? It’s hard to believe but true. This weekend we venture to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and let you experience a writers retreat…without Tee or Pip. But don’t worry, they do plenty of intro/outro!

0:00 Introduction to Smoky Writers

• Tee tries not to choke
• Pip gives the rundown on Smoky Writers
• Pip searches for a proper descriptor for Alex White.
• PC Haring whips out the mics even while Pip has to flee the ice, and the White Walkers.

4:26 Live from the Smoky Writers Retreat

• PC Haring, Lauren Scribe Harris, Foo, and Starla Huchton take over the show!
• Evil Laugh!!
• Cabin, food, writing…oh where to start??
• Food was as always amazing, thanks to our chefs.
• Renee White made cabbage and brussel sprout wizard.
• Apologies for any drooling our listeners may experience. *here’s a towel*
• Hugh O’Donnell joins the merry bunch.
• Starla missed breakfasts because…BAT CAVE!
• Renee White accidentally ends up in the podcast, and receives love for all her cooking.
• We battled snow both in an out.
• Okonomiyaki is delicious….seriously, even if cabbage pancakes sound horrible to you, try them.
• Cooking for nineteen people ain’t easy…
• The alcohol budget might need to be increased. Hemingway would have been pleased.
• But also writers also drink a lot of coffee and tea.
• Onto the cabin up the hill of death. The Chevy Volt made it!
• The cabin looked lovely, but we had power. One hot tub down, leaks, bugs, and a few maintenance issues. You’d think that would bring people down.
• Alex took care of business, but did not toss any cars.
• Did the Dukes of Hazard get there before us?
• Internet pain…oh teh pain.
• As long as you know there will be no internet, it could be better for productivity.

28:08 Onto the writing

• Hugh, Foo and Scribe actually shared a desk!
• Brian Lincoln pops on in
• Some people staked their claim on a place, some moved around to experience hanging out with other people…even though it was silent. Writers can be funny that way.
• Everyone has their own method.
• The group reads! Last year was fewer people, this year we had to break up into groups, and everyone read something they wrote that day.
• Bryan writes audio dramas, so he got us to read his stories.
• Musicals were written, What We Do in the Shadows was watched.
• Discussions over dinner were useful. Basically the best part of a convention without all the stuff don’t want all the time.
• A writing retreat is a great place to focus, and get those words out! Lack of distractions really help…sorry kids and loved ones.
• A community feeling of writers, where we are all allowed to suck.
• Brian recommends going to a retreat with a plan.

47:27 Recommendations for those going to a writing retreat

• “Try to arrive 15lbs under weight…”
• Sync all your Dropbox files just in case.
• Have an idea of what you want to achieve, and an outline might be a good idea.
• Bring comfortable clothes, maybe pjs…
• Rosemary joins the conversation. Don’t depend on the internet. Be comfortable with your software, so you don’t lose time to finding out how to operate it. Extension cords can provide freedom.
• Isolation means having a backup strategy.
• Bring enough projects just in case…
• Bring something to reward with yourself
• Car pooling can be awesome.
• Stay healthy!
• Make friends!

60:00 Sign off

All these links are above. Click on them…click on them!!

61:03 Pip and Tee sign off too.

• If you want to plan your own retreat, do check out Alex’s blogposts on how to set one up. Part One and Part Two
• Next year, we’re moving to a little later in the year, but Tee will be there!
• Look for Pip in RT in Texas next week
• Tee sings…
• Then look for us at Balticon, and come to the meat and great on the Friday at the Marriott Residence Inn.
• Capital Con is in our backyard…but not literally.
• We’re importing kiwis apparently…
• Pip and Tee thank Paul for doing all the work!
• Doing all the things, but how long can we last!?!

Find us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,
leave us a voicemail or question for the show at 703.791.1701,
or leave us a comment here at the blog.

Enjoy the ride
and we’ll catch you later.