This week: The Idea of a Residency Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Short Stories Newsletter by Dawn
Even in the digital age, there are different retreats and residencies for writers and other creative outlets. With the variety of options and the question of leaving regular life behind for the short time, there is thought that goes into whether to apply or not. |
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The idea of taking a vacation to write sounds both amazing and impossible at the same time. For some, it might be possible and necessary to take a weekend or few days at a time away from regular life in order to work on a project. This can be novels but isn't limited to long fiction as short story writing takes some of the same efforts with different drafts, rewriting and editing plus the submission process of going for publication. However, it isn't always easy to get away from the daily grind of work, paying bills, family and anything else that gets in the way. But if it is possible to get away, there are a couple of options.
Residency
This is a bigger one because a residency is often funded by someone else and requires a particular submission process. It also tends to be much longer than a weekend. The benefit of this is that whoever is providing the residency often covers most of the expenses. Some are associated with universities and used in conjecture with programs like that of getting a Masters degree. Others are conducted by certain groups that are meant to help writers within the communities to stand out or have a chance that may have been harder to find. The one I would like to apply is for a residency in New York for artists/writers within the LGBTQ community, for example. Since it's a community I'm not only a part of but also have many characters that fit in the world along with so many stories that I could get done, including a shorter fiction to enter in a particular contest, there is an appeal to the possibility of a residency. However, it also has drawbacks and difficulties that have to be considered along with the low chance of getting picked out of the many applying.
One big aspect of the residency is the time away from the regular life. Often times, the residency location is away from the person's home. This means travel, live in a different location, still be able to cover finances for current home while away. True, the residency covers the location you stay in during the duration of the event. However, if it's for months and you have a home with bills that still need handled, that can be a challenge. Most rent/mortgage/finances don't let you just put things on hold to go write a set of stories for a few weeks/months. Easier if you live at home with your parents or family but not so much if you are the main provider in a home/apartment.
Each program will have a specific application that can involve things we aren't used to writing. For nonfiction, proposals of different lengths are a little more common before doing the writing. It's not as common for fiction to submit a query or letter of ideas, where you list what you want to write instead of what is already done. We are used to query after finished with long and short fiction stories. Don't often get to submit to a publisher a set of ideas for stories because they want the end work, not that you might be able to do it during a certain set of weeks. So, having to write an application including a project proposal is a challenge. And there will be competition, so it depends on how many people want to get the residency, apply and the number of those being accepted to each program.
Retreats
These are a little different for a couple of reasons. A retreat can be as short as a weekend or last a few weeks depending on the location/source. It is also something that usually has more of a cost to the person taking part but may be funded by other means. Often the retreats are long weekends up to a week in length, such as the ones in California that are connected to vineyards with the times ranging from 3-7 days for each retreat. Each has its own application process and will depend on the retreat/residency for the exact details.
The benefit here is that it does give some time to write and often puts you with others who are also creative with similar goals. There are specific events that are going to be story related and some nice events added like special dinners and receptions for those taking part. Compared to the long residency, this option can work for those that can't take weeks or months away in order to do a little writing. However, a long weekend is also a limited amount of time, which helps if the time to focus is the main hindrance at the time for possible setbacks. This can be a good experience if one can do the application and afford it for the ones that cost the writer money for the accommodations.
While these both have benefits and a couple disadvantages, there are some factors to remember when making the decision to apply or not. Getting away also isn't a guarantee that you'll get writing done. It is also something you can try to do on your own. I once went to check out a tiny home made out of half a shipping container through airbnb as a small weekend trip with the intention to get writing done. Internet didn't work well at the place, which should be ideal for writing. I did get a little done but not as much as I wanted. So, there is that risk where even getting away can be a challenge in order to get what we want done. Still, there are some options. Sometimes it helps to just get away for a little and if there is a chance to experience somewhere you've never been, it can be a good experience no matter the level of productivity.
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Would you consider or apply for a writing residency?
It has been a long time since I've done a Short Stories Newsletter. Back in early 2021, I edited a newsletter where I discussed macro and micro editing. Here are some comments from way back then.
Comment by Tadpole1 
I enjoyed your article. In fact, I wanted to forward it because some of the points correspond to a review that I made yesterday. Unfortunately, I don't know how to forward the article. Lol.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading it.
Comment by Quick-Quill 
I ran my MS through Grammarly then Autocrit. They caught most. I still found a few they missed.I checked and re-re-re-checked. No one’s perfect.
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Short Stories: October 26, 2022 Issue [#11634]
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