I just booked my hotel for Sunday and Monday for a mini-writing retreat before the Thanksgiving holiday.  This has been an effective (although intimidating) format for me in the past to tackle big writing projects (and deadlines).  The idea is that you block 24-48 hours, remove yourself from your normal world and responsibilities and dig into the big thinking to make progress.  This is a popular format at Georgia State, and I know several colleagues who book a writing weekend by themselves or with a good friend.  This is my first solo endeavor, and I sorely wish I had my normal writing companion heading into battle with me.  No one likes to stress-eat chocolate covered almonds and wear sweat pants alone.  It feels indulgent and fun with someone else; desperate when you are alone.

My current confusion and lack of direction on how to write this article (is it a short piece? a full article? a response piece?) has lead to my postponing its writing since June (!!!) and is creating a considerable amount of anxiety.  I don't know what I fear most at this point:  the tailspin that will inevitably happen in that hotel room around midnight on Sunday or how shattered I'll feel if I emerge with nothing to show.  

As a final ploy of procrastination, I turn the question to you:  have you effectively used a writing retreat to get through a big project and/or do you have any writing/brainstorming tips that help you when you find yourself at a similar crossroads?

-Anne Tucker