Escape to Create

Many writers have selected locations to which they are able to create the masterpieces of their lives. Some common locations are at a unique restaurant, lounge, bookstore with a lot of traffic, the coffee shop on the corner, the rooftop, home office or just at home in bed. These places help bring forth the creative juices needed to bring the book that has been playing in their heads alive. They escape for hours at a time just to complete the full thought onto paper.

In some cases the special place is not accessible or attainable with the demand from life. They have family, friends, jobs and other obligations that take away from the time they are able to devote to creating. In this case it is time to set aside an extended time to escape the daily drill to have that space and time needed to give birth to something great.

The list of options is incredible and at times hard to choose from. It ranges from workshops, retreats, conferences, excursions, bed and breakfast and sophisticated hotels. The writer must first have an understanding of what they need to construct the work. Some key questions to ask are: Do you need …
to be surrounded by other creative souls?
silence?
culture? If so, which culture is required?
nature?
to be surrounded by a lot of energy?
Once these key things are established at least then they can start to narrow the location that will work to make the journey worth while.

Here are a few suggestions of locations on the east coast that could serve to be helpful:

The Hay Adams – a luxurious hotel in downtown District of Columbia that has just about all the amenities needed to get the creative juices flowing. You can choose to be solitude in the hotel for your stay or escape out to the historic city and enjoy all the culture, history, and art. The hotel sits in the heart of the city and was the exclusive home to the Obama family for a short time.
To make reservations visit: www.hayadams.com

Great Oak Manor – this marvelous property seats on the Chesapeake Bay which encompasses elegance beyond your imagination. This location offers nature, history, splendor and diversity. It is not too far from shopping, restaurants, boutiques and the educational Prince Theatre. The character of this location is full of motivation.
Visit them at: www.greatoak.com

The Overlook Inn Bed and Breakfast – the wilderness without all the drama in Chatsworth, Georgia. This property offers sophistication and simplicity. It offers accommodations in private rooms or cabins. If you need to escape the world this would be your selection.
Book your get away now: www.theoverlookinn.com

Annual Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway – this yearly retreat is facilitated every January at The Grand Hotel on the Oceanfront in Historic Cape May, NJ. Writers from all over the world gather to develop their craft, meet other writers, and encourage one another to succeed. Peter E. Murphy and friends make sure this is always a memorable event.
Register now spaces fill quickly. www.wintergetaway.com

Loews Regency Hotel – the New York location puts you in the heart of the most inspiring cities in the U.S. Not only are you surrounded by fashion, shopping and distinctive people but an enthusiastic nightlife. The hotel alone promotes The Feinstein’s supper club where you can find live performances.
Be blown away today at www.loewshotels.com/en/Hotels/New-York-City-Hotel

Writers Retreat – takes place in Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The retreat consists of serious writers writing and in the evening coming together to share their creations. They also offer an extended workshop for individuals that want critiques of their manuscripts. It is a beautiful location that gives plenty of positive energy for success.
Find out more about this at: www.wildacreswriters.com

Rosemont Writers’ Retreat – commences every year at Rosemont College in Rosemont Pennsylvania. This weekend retreat offers courses on aesthetic, seeing the story, telling your story and the possibilities you have as a writer. They even offer yoga to encourage the meditation process. If you are having writers block or just want to learn more from experts this is a wonderful opportunity.
To learn more go to: www.rosemont.edu/writers

Historic Mankin Mansion Wedding Resort and Bed & Breakfast – a breathtaking location in Richmond, Virginia. This elegant location offers suites and cottages restored to their antique and vintage décor on the spacious grounds. Enjoy the home away from home feeling.
Hideaway now at: www.historicmankinmansion.com/bed_and_breakfast

Country Villa Bed and Breakfast – is Virginia Beach’s Exclusive Country Inn & Day Spa. Relax with complimentary wine, a hot tub and in room spa treatment. In this location all of life’s worries will be erased so you can surely create.
Loosen up at:www.countryvillainn.com

These locations are just a glimpse of the options to escape, retreat and develop a masterpiece.

Carla Thorpe is the author of commentary works, poems and short stories. Her work can be seen in Stylistic Newspaper, Brown Gurl Online Magazine and other online publications. Carla is currently working on her first book titled “Her Own” due to publish in 2010. She resides in Northern Virginia not too far from her hometown Capitol Heights, Maryland.