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Our Writing ReTREAT at The Writing Barn

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By Alison Green Myers
Dear Kim,

THE WRITING BARN


Do you still feel it? I do.
The restorative effects of Bethany's Writing Barn will take me far into the New Year.

For our readers who don't know, The Writing Barn is a retreat center established by author Bethany Hegedus and her family located on her homestead, just outside the city of Austin, Texas. The grounds are a writer’s paradise; tranquil, wood-lined paths lead you from The Book House to The Cabin to the grand meeting space found in the property’s original horse barn. Bethany’s motto: Retreat, Create, and Celebrate.


We did all three.

Bethany shows us the latest book in her Grandfather Gandhi series, BE THE CHANGE.

Donna's writing den. I thought I snapped a picture of her inside.
I guess I was too busy writing.
I think we all found what we needed at The Writing Barn. You found Gigi's voice. Donna found a new mystery for Hound Dog to solve (and inspiration for her own writing den, see above). I found a way to get Addi out of the corner I'd written her into.

Addi, my fifteen year old protagonist, needed some elbow room and I guess I did too. Working long days at The Writing Barn was easy. Maybe it was the setting? Maybe it was the fact that all my other responsibilities were 1,500 miles away? Maybe it was the company? My Ink Sisters tend to center me. 

More likely it was everything combined into one perfect gift. I want to thank Bethany for her generosity. She's open-hearted in many ways. And for this specific trip to come together, Bethany opened her doors not only to me, but to you and Donna. For that I will be forever grateful.

I know The Writing Barn is a place I will visit again and again (when I have the funds) and am in need of re-setting my churning mind. To bring a little of The Writing Barn into my real life I printed out the image below and hung it on my office wall. 

Breathe in.
Breathe out.


Much love,
Alison

P.S. How could I forget to write about our big night out in Austin in this post? Special thanks to Carmen, Varian, Cynthia, Akiko, Carolyn, Meghan, and Bethany for making our last night in Austin so memorable!

From left to right: Kim Briggs (Hey! That's you!), Akiko White, Donna Boock, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Bethany Hegedus, Varian Johnson, Carmen Oliver, Alison Green Myers, Carolyn Flores, and Meghan Daniels.



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