Writing Groups and Retreats

WID's flexible Faculty Writing Retreat offers faculty a companionable, quiet space for writing without a commitment to a writing group. Faculty bring their laptops or paper, and WID supplies coffee, tea, and snacks. Faculty are welcome to drop in and work for any or all of the Writing Retreat time and as often or infrequently as they wish. WID's Writing Retreat is offered once a week throughout the semester. In-person in 302 Howe Library; registration not required but recommended so that you can receive reminders and updates should a session need to be canceled.

Sign up for Thursdays, 12:30-3 pm, throughout the fall semester.

WID's Writing in Good Company initiative provides faculty with an opportunity for routine writing time in structured writing groups. Each small group commits to meeting regularly (typically weekly) for 2-3 hours. At the beginning of each semester, groups decide amongst themselves how they would like to structure their time. For many groups, the time spent together begins with a brief discussion or goal setting with the remaining time spent quietly writing. In-person in 302 Howe Library; registration required.

Sign up for Thursdays, 9 am -12 pm, throughout the fall semester.

Sign up for Fridays, 9 am - 12 pm throughout the fall semester.

What is the difference between groups and retreats? 

For weekly writing groups, members commit to attending for the duration of each session on a weekly basis. This ensures that when group members arrive at the space, they have colleagues to connect and write quietly with. This maintains the "group" feel. 

Writing retreats, on the other hand, are drop-in sessions without any level of commitment. You can arrive and leave anytime during the session and come to as many or as few sessions as you’d like. This provides lots of flexibility with no pressure to attend, but it also means that you might show up and be the only person in attendance. 

Do I need to register?

Registration is required for writing groups. When you register, you're added to the roster, sent a calendar hold via Outlook, and will receive updates for cancellations due to snow or illness.

Registration is not required for writing retreat. Although there's no commitment, being added to the registration list allows you be sent an invitation to have on your calendar, reminders, and notices about cancellations due to snow or illness. 

What is the difference between groups and retreats? 

For weekly writing groups, members commit to attending to (and staying for the duration of) most sessions. This ensures that when group members arrive at the space, they have colleagues to connect and write quietly with. We know things come up that can’t be avoided, but regular attendance maintains the “group” feel. 

Writing retreats, on the other hand are drop-in sessions without any level of commitment. This provides a lot of flexibility with no pressure to attend, but it also means that you might show up and be the only person in attendance. 

Is it okay to miss writing group sessions?

We don't expect you to come to every session or to always be on time or stay the entire time, but we ask that you commit to coming to most of the sessions. You can notify April Christenson if you'll be missing a session, but you don't have to. 

What should I do if I’m sick?

When you are sick, please stay home. If you are having post-illness symptoms that are disruptive (like lots of coughing or nose-blowing), please also consider not attending until they’ve eased.  

Can I sign up for more than one group/retreat?

Yes! Feel free to sign up for a group and the retreat, or two groups, or all three! Just remember: when you sign up for two groups, you’ve committed to coming to most of the sessions for both groups.

Can I switch groups if the one I chose isn't working out?

Yes! Just let April Christenson know so she can add and remove you from the relevant Outlook invitations and rosters.

If I sign up for both the Thursday group and Thursday retreat, can I stay for the gap in between?

Yes! However, please understand that this is a transition time when people may be coming and going or eating lunch. Staff will also use this time to reset the room and resupply hospitality.

Speaking of lunch, can I bring mine?

Yes! We have a small refrigerator and kitchenette with a microwave and a toaster oven.

Do you provide hospitality?

We'll have light snacks, coffee and tea on hand. Snacks include things like packaged chips, cookies, and snack bars. We also have mix-your-own dried fruit and nuts trail mix station. Bowls are available for dumping packaged snacks into to reduce noise.