That's how I feel and why I've never gone off on a writer's retreat. I don't need to. I live in a quiet, beautiful pre-war neighborhood with magnificent old trees and the view from my study and my den is so peaceful. Happy Thanksgiving!
I live near my hometown but never go there. That is, for me, another world, one I left behind. I have no friends left there, only classmates I remember fondly and rarely encounter. I've lived in New York State, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and India and now Massachusetts. Yes, leaving home and living elsewhere is crucial for growing into your own person. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Thanks for reading. Growing up in New York, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else in the world. And then I had two and a half wonderful years in Western MA which wasn't far away in terms of travel, but couldn't have been less like my home. It changed my thinking enormously.
I’m a native Michigander and I love my state, but I spent many of my younger years wishing I lived somewhere else. When we moved out of the city and into the boonies I felt like I DID live somewhere else. I like that some parts of Michigan are still hidden treasures, where we can drive the back roads for miles and never pass another car.
I'm glad that I grew up in New York and could experience its cultural life--and then went to a fairly bucolic area for my MFA, western MA. I haven't been back for museums or theater. For the former there's Chicago, Grand Rapids and Detroit. For the latter, Stratford, which isn't a long drive.
I find it fascinating how place affects each of us writers differently. My productivity increased when I moved back to New England after 20 years in Virginia and Florida. In the novel I'm working on now, Vermont has become an important character.
We didn't know our neighbors well until 25 years ago when we got our first dog. Then we knew dog people, former dog people, future dog people and folks who just wanted to know Kobi, who was a sweet, smart Westie.
My introverted spouse is often more interested in chatting with people on a walk than I am. Go figure!
Yes, it is paradise here in Michigan. My permanent writing retreat. But let's keep it a secret please.
That's how I feel and why I've never gone off on a writer's retreat. I don't need to. I live in a quiet, beautiful pre-war neighborhood with magnificent old trees and the view from my study and my den is so peaceful. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
And to you!
I live near my hometown but never go there. That is, for me, another world, one I left behind. I have no friends left there, only classmates I remember fondly and rarely encounter. I've lived in New York State, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and India and now Massachusetts. Yes, leaving home and living elsewhere is crucial for growing into your own person. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Thanks for reading. Growing up in New York, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else in the world. And then I had two and a half wonderful years in Western MA which wasn't far away in terms of travel, but couldn't have been less like my home. It changed my thinking enormously.
I’m a native Michigander and I love my state, but I spent many of my younger years wishing I lived somewhere else. When we moved out of the city and into the boonies I felt like I DID live somewhere else. I like that some parts of Michigan are still hidden treasures, where we can drive the back roads for miles and never pass another car.
A great place for thinking and creating.
I'm glad that I grew up in New York and could experience its cultural life--and then went to a fairly bucolic area for my MFA, western MA. I haven't been back for museums or theater. For the former there's Chicago, Grand Rapids and Detroit. For the latter, Stratford, which isn't a long drive.
We spent a month in Michigan this summer and it was a discovery... yes, a well-kept secret. We're going back though, we're fans now.
We have friends in Ohio who regularly summer up in Empire. There's so much natural beauty in both peninsulas. Happy Thanksgiving, Martine!
I find it fascinating how place affects each of us writers differently. My productivity increased when I moved back to New England after 20 years in Virginia and Florida. In the novel I'm working on now, Vermont has become an important character.
I've become more introverted living with an introvert for 40 years. :-)
We didn't know our neighbors well until 25 years ago when we got our first dog. Then we knew dog people, former dog people, future dog people and folks who just wanted to know Kobi, who was a sweet, smart Westie.
My introverted spouse is often more interested in chatting with people on a walk than I am. Go figure!