Does Your WIP Need a GG?

The Magic (and Science) of the Grand Gesture

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

As a writer, have you ever felt like flipping a big ol’ bird to your work in progress? If so, you’re not alone! However, that’s not the kind of “grand gesture” I'm talking about here. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. What I’m suggesting is a more compassionate, nurturing treatment for the manuscript or other writing project that's causing distress. Whether it’s because you're feeling stuck (writer’s block!) or just can't seem to find the time to finish (distractions!), consider giving your WIP a writing retreat!

Or what Cal Newport refers to as a "Grand Gesture" in his book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. Newport defines "deep work” as

Professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit. These efforts create new value, improve your skill, and are hard to replicate.

Writing a book of any kind—or even an essay, op-ed, or other short piece—definitely qualifies as deep work. Even though Newport’s book isn’t targeted to writers, per se, he offers sound advice and a detailed blueprint that any writer can use for accomplishing such a monumental task.

Most serious writers probably already incorporate one of Newport’s main “rules” for deep-work success: “To produce at your peak level, you need to work for extended periods with full concentration on a single task free from distraction.”

This means scheduling dedicated writing time on a regular basis until the task is complete, often using rituals and rewards to help with accountability and productivity (another key part of Newport’s advice). But for many newer writers, setting up these routines can be challenging, especially when there are day jobs, family obligations, and other "real world" responsibilities competing for attention, not to mention all the distractions of email, texts, social media, etc. And this is where Newport’s concept of the Grand Gesture can save the day—for both new and experienced writers.

Imagine how much you could accomplish on your book manuscript or other WIP if writing was the only thing you needed to worry about for one entire day. Or two entire days, or five. I'm talking no kids to feed, no spouse to confer with, no dog to walk, no pesky day job, no laundry, no bathing, maybe even no cooking or dishes—just you and your story having some quality time together!

This is what writing retreats are all about. While some retreats are group events held in faraway, exciting locations and may include workshops, consultations, and feedback, those are not the only type of retreat that can get the job done. In fact, Newport’s concept of the Grand Gesture is more of a solo endeavor. One of his examples in Deep Work is J.K. Rowling, who sequestered herself in the Balmoral hotel in Edinburgh to finish the last book in the Harry Potter series—because working from home (her normal routine) was too distracting (and now there’s a suite named after her because of it!). Another writer books flights to Japan to meet deadlines, with distraction-free writing at 30,000 feet, then reboards without leaving the airport.

While you may not be able to afford even a single night at a luxury hotel, or might find it absurd to fly halfway across the globe without stepping foot in the destination city, the point is to treat your WIP with the priority and attention it deserves—to do whatever it takes to “produce at your peak level.”

Sometimes, simply writing in a different environment can make all the difference in giving your WIP a boost or getting it over the finish line. If you can’t take a week off or don’t have the funds for a retreat in Tuscany or aboard the Queen Mary, how about a night or two at a Motel 6 in a nearby suburb? To cut down on the cost even more, consider sharing the room with a writer friend. (Be sure to set firm rules to avoid turning writing time into a social visit. Although a writing community is another important part of writing success, retreats are for serious writing business!)

Photo by Olivier Guillard on Unsplash

Another scientifically proven activity for boosting creativity and productivity, also discussed thoroughly and recommended by Newport, is spending time in nature. If your group or solo writing retreat can take place at a cabin in the woods, all the better. It’s the perfect, almost magical, conditions to “push your cognitive capabilities to their limit.” Or, as writing coach Kevin T. Johns describes it after many successful years of hosting his Ottawa Writer’s Retreat: a lifeline, creative jumpstart, or reawakening. And he happens to be giving away FREE digital copies of his book The Science (and Magic) of Writing Retreats, so if you need further evidence for why your WIP needs a GG, download that book! (And there’s currently still time to sign up for his August retreat.)

If Canada is a bit too far, or that price is a bit too steep, remember that you can create your own writing retreats, whether solo or with writer friends. State Parks and National Forests are great places to find low-cost cabins or yurts to rent for your do-it-yourself retreats. You can also look for lower-cost, shorter group retreats close to home, such as the upcoming glamping-style retreat with my local Seattle-area writing group, Plein-Air Prose: Mid-Summer Writes Dream Glamp-Out!

Another cost-saving way to give your writing a Grand Gesture immersed in nature is to apply for writing residency programs, which provide free or low-cost opportunities to devote several distraction-free days or weeks on your WIP, usually in a peaceful, natural environment.

So, writers, I hope this convinces you that your WIP deserves a GG, and that there are many ways to make that happen—even if it’s DIY. Also remember that any costs associated with your writing may be tax-deductible and can definitely be considered an investment in your writing career. If you have other creative Grand Gestures that you’ve tried or want to try, please share in the comments!

P.S. If you live in or near Seattle, WA, here’s a list of retreats and residencies you might want to check out:

Washington State & Seattle-Area Writing Retreats & Residency Programs

· Full-Bodied Writing Retreat (usually in Gig Harbor, mid-June)

· Plein-Air Prose (low-cost mini and multi-day retreats throughout the year)

· Write Doe Bay Writers Retreat (Orcas Island, November)

· Bloedel Reserve Creative Residency (Bainbridge Island, WA)

· Hedgebrook Writers in Residence (Whidbey Island, Feb – Nov., for women only)

· Hypatia-in-the-Woods Holly House Residency (Shelton, WA)

· Mineral Arts & Residencies (Mineral, WA, near Mt. Rainier)

· Whitley Center: (San Juan Island; a retreat for scholarly and creative activities)

· Centrum’s Artist in Residency (Port Townsend, WA)

· Centrum Self-Directed Residency (Port Townsend, WA)

· Willapa Bay Artist in Residency: (Oysterville, WA)