Describe the perfect writing retreat, real or imagined.
"Perfect" is such a tricky word. And I happen to have the unenviable habit of letting the "perfect" be the enemy of the "good." So, of course, when I read this prompt, I started imagining exotic getaways with ideal creative circumstances. A trip on the Orient Express, perhaps. Or a private island with no cell reception and ample snacks.
But then I remembered last weekend.
As it happens, I've just gotten back from a little DIY writer's retreat I've taken myself on more than once. With a couple deadlines looming, it seemed as good a time as any to escape to beautiful Brattleboro, Vermont.
It may not be the most exciting locale, and the bragging rights of arranging the retreat myself are basically nil. But I think I've perfected the formula for a thoroughly productive creative reset just a few hours outside New York City. It brings together three elements I find essential for a beleaguered writer like myself: a train ride, a small town, and great place to stay.
THE TRAIN:
Brattleboro is situated on the Amtrak Vermonter line, about six hours from New York. This gives me ample time to read, to journal, and to get to work as the gorgeous scenery passes me by. I sit on the left hand side of the train on the way up and the right on the return to catch the waterfront views. Autumn leaves enhance the experience even more, but I've taken the trip at various times of the year and always enjoyed myself. The trip to Brattleboro is a perfect chance to sip a coffee and strategize for the retreat, and the train back is timed just right for a celebratory prosecco to toast to all you're sure to accomplish.
THE TOWN:
If you're looking for a bucolic little town where lumberjacks and hippies feel equally welcome, look no further. I won't pretend I'm an expert on a place I've only passed through a few times, but I can vouch for the charming Main Street within walking distance from the train station, lined with cafes, bars, and eateries where you can post up with a laptop or notebook and write to your heart's content. There's also a public library to wile away the creative hours, a multitude of outdoor spaces if the weather is nice, and a kick-ass co-op to stock up on snacks. Special shoutout to "The Bomb" sandwich at Echo and the Maple Latte at Mocha Joe's.
THE HOTEL:
And my favorite part of this little getaway...the Latchis Hotel! Within spitting distance of the train (gross), this historic hotel features original fixtures and furniture, with a record player in every room and a vinyl lending library full of music to get the creative juices flowing. Even better, the hotel is built beside the Latchis Theatre, an old-fashioned movie palace still in operation. Nothing inspires me more than a good movie, and there's nothing quite like catching a flick in the beautifully preserved main auditorium. The Latchis Hotel and Theatre are both run by a nonprofit organization devoted to maintaining the building's unique history and—I like to think—inspiring writers like us.
This post is starting to sound like a travel brochure, but I promise I'm writing from the heart. Every time I head up to Brattleboro, I find myself inspired by the scenery, the history, and the fascinating folks I meet along the way. Last weekend I finished an outline of one project, polished off several pages of another, and got inspired with a few fresh new ideas.
Needless to say, I think I earned the prosecco on the way home. And I hope you do too!
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