Nothing is worse for an author than staring at a blank page while it taunts you, daring you to write that first line. The epic opening for your masterpiece. No pressure right?
So what do you do when you’re on a time crunch?
This spring break, as much as I wanted to sleep in all day (god knows I need it), I decided to attend the Austin Film Festival’s Texas Writer’s Day Retreat at the beautiful campsite at Shield Ranch.
Did I need to go on a retreat to write?
Not really, but if you can afford the luxury, it’s quite refreshing to get out of your usual routine, unwind, relax and dedicate some time away from easy distractions.
At first, I didn’t know what to expect from this writer’s retreat, and I had a vague idea of what I wanted to work on. Not to mention, I was anxious about meeting new people in the screenwriting and film industry, which, to be quite honest, isn’t my forte as a published kidlit author.
But I learned a lot from my experience there, and hopefully my beloved reader, find it inspiring yourself.
The Retreat
Being surrounded by stunning wilderness and bright blue skies, the programming and connections I made that day were much needed for my writer’s block.
The retreat took place at Campsite at Shield Ranch, an ecologically diverse sanctuary which sustainably manages wildlands and protected Hill Country ecosystems in Austin. It’s home to a mosaic of habitats of diverse native plants and animals, and it consists of a 14-acre project area carefully sited on a 6,400-acre land (that’s like 4,850 football fields or a small city!).
It contains a beautiful open-air pavilion, screened (and kinda creepy) shelters, and miles of hiking trails. They also offer facilities for Camp El Ranchito, a wonderful camp program that connects city kids with nature It’s funded by several programs, including the very same writing retreat I was attending!
Activities and Workshops
The retreat kicked off with check-in and coffee session at the gorgeous pavilion, where I met the other cohorts. Everyone came from different backgrounds, some worked in film, while others were there to write their novels. Despite the variety of works, it was fun hearing what everyone was working on!
The session was followed by a welcome speech by the AFF organizers and a special guest appearance by producer Carl Effenson of Artimage Entertainment (Bob Trevino Likes It, Mudbound), who shared insightful opening remarks! Afterwards, we scattered across the campsite to find our ideal writing spots and got to work.
What I Worked On
Instead of working on my usual graphic novel manuscripts, I focused this time on a spec script (a screenplay sample written without prior attachment or deal with an executive/studio) for an upcoming children’s media writing fellowship. Lately, I’ve been dipping my toes into screenwriting, and the idea of writing for children’s TV has been really calling to me. So I’ve been working on that behind the scenes.
How I got the most of the Experience
As a double Capricorn, saying I love to work is a severe understatement. When I set my mind to finish a project, by gods I will get that done no matter what. Any free moment I get, I am most likely planning, breathing, or scheming ideas for said project. And over the years, I’ve learned that living that way has isolated myself from those around me, cutting me off from potential collaborations & friendships. Because of that nasty habit, this time I made it my goal to make connections first, and work on my writing second.
So when lunch came around with an afternoon pick-me-up: an improv comedy session hosted by ColdTowne Theatre, many of us (including myself) hesitated to join at first. But I figured, if I ever wanted to try improv and meet my goal of making connections, now was the time! And I have to say, for my first time, it was definitely a painful yet memorable & fun experience. I’d do it again!
And after that burst of creativity and laughter, I cooled down with a couple more hours of writing and a short hike along a trail, where I encountered a slithering pal.
(I wish I identified the type of snake, but atlas, our pal was a fast, shy one).
We wrapped up the day with a happy hour, generously provided by AFF. A group of us, however, ended up getting politely escorted off the property after spending an extra hour lingering past registration… we couldn’t help chatting and indulging in some good old-fashioned shop talk >.<!
Summary
Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I would definitely do it again. I managed to complete five pages of the spec script, which I wasn’t expecting at all! It was exactly what I needed to get out of my headspace: being surrounded by other creatives, sharing stories, and exchanging ideas.
I’m really excited to embark on this new journey into writing for children’s media.
Can’t wait for next year! 😀
Find out more about these wonderful programs:
Kat Fajardo Blog 
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