The Hotel Experiment
Aug 7, 2008 by rilla
Part of the reason why I decided to come with Kaz and hole myself away in this hotel room was because I figured I'd be so productive if it was just me alone in a room. I guess that's not wrong. I am getting my chapters written, finding time to blog, write poetry, and all sorts of other creative stuff. I thought it would be kind of like a self-imposed writer's retreat. I have a list of tasks I want to get finished, and I have all of the privacy and tools to complete them.
But, gods, am I ever getting bored and lonely. Kaz is working long hours, and when he gets back from the Money Factory he's worn out and I'm bouncing off of the walls. I'm spending more time online here than I ever did at home in an effort to capture some kind of human contact. I'm getting this close to befriending the overly enthusiastic senior citizen who supervises the free continental breakfast.
I guess the thing about being on a Writer's Retreat is that you are actually with a bunch of other people who are also working on creative endeavors. You have some facetime to discuss your work and just to socialize. Some sort of balance between work and play is maintained. I recall working in the library offices at the University and there I struggled with the opposite problem. Everyone wanted to get together and drink coffee and discuss the papers that were waiting for them back in their office, and I found it nearly impossible to actually get as much work done in a day as I needed to. Now I would leap for joy if someone knocked on my door and asked if I wanted to get a cup of coffee.
Tonight a few of my co-workers are gathering back home to discuss how their writing is coming along. I'm itching to hang out with them and discuss our characters and how they are growing and changing. But I'm hundreds of kilometers away, so instead I'm pining.
Our hotel is close to a shopping centre, but both are on the outskirts of town. I think if I actually take some initiative to walk into the city, I may feel a little more balanced by the end of the day. It's reassuring to see other people doing stuff and things... and junk.
But, gods, am I ever getting bored and lonely. Kaz is working long hours, and when he gets back from the Money Factory he's worn out and I'm bouncing off of the walls. I'm spending more time online here than I ever did at home in an effort to capture some kind of human contact. I'm getting this close to befriending the overly enthusiastic senior citizen who supervises the free continental breakfast.
I guess the thing about being on a Writer's Retreat is that you are actually with a bunch of other people who are also working on creative endeavors. You have some facetime to discuss your work and just to socialize. Some sort of balance between work and play is maintained. I recall working in the library offices at the University and there I struggled with the opposite problem. Everyone wanted to get together and drink coffee and discuss the papers that were waiting for them back in their office, and I found it nearly impossible to actually get as much work done in a day as I needed to. Now I would leap for joy if someone knocked on my door and asked if I wanted to get a cup of coffee.
Tonight a few of my co-workers are gathering back home to discuss how their writing is coming along. I'm itching to hang out with them and discuss our characters and how they are growing and changing. But I'm hundreds of kilometers away, so instead I'm pining.
Our hotel is close to a shopping centre, but both are on the outskirts of town. I think if I actually take some initiative to walk into the city, I may feel a little more balanced by the end of the day. It's reassuring to see other people doing stuff and things... and junk.
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So be best friends with the breakfast lady. It will make you both happier.
I can relate to how you feel. For three years I travelled all over rural AB for two weeks at a time, four times a year. I stayed in backwater motels and ate either at the motel or sometimes the local gas station diner. I spent my days alone driving or interviewing and photographing small business owners and the evenings in my room writing their stories. Near the end I would even chat up the cops giving me a speeding ticket.
Um, maybe you should go for that walk. :-)
There are many fine places to go, and things to see in Yorkton.
I spent a week there for a drama conference, and had quite a good time tooling around the place in my not very plentiful downtime.
Hey Ril,
Want to go to a Retreat with me? I know a few close by that are really good.
the ms. s: The walk helped. I also have started to eat breakfast with kaz even though he has to go to work early. This has helped me avoid the trap of awkward friendships. Plus, socializing in the morning is a good way to start my day.
the rook: I stuck to the main road on my walk. It was surprisingly picturesque. Today I think I'll go into the nooks and crannies and see what I can see.
cenobyte: Like most things in my life, I would be all over that if I had the cash to spare. All of my savings right now are ear-marked for a trip. Plus, this is the first time in my life when I've had savings. Oh, stability! Oh life of a non-student! Post-Trip, I can begin a new batch of savings and then I would love to do a writer's retreat with you.
We can do St. Pete's for under $300, for a week or two. All in.
St. Michael's is more expensive, and I think the Colonies at Emma Lake are pricier yet, but St. Pete's is right on the money.
Also, if you're out on your walks and meet a VERY TALL fellow called Cameron, that's my cousin.
ceno: Drop me an e-mail when you get back from GENCON!