Austin’s Best Kept Secrets: Writer’s Retreats

Written by: Katie McKee

As communicators, our words are our greatest tools, but in a world of 140 characters or less, and disseminating information as quickly as possible, these words can become watered down and often lose meaning to the reader and the writer. It’s times like those that a writer must step away from the keyboard and take a moment to recharge and refresh.

Writing may be an important part of our professions, but we should remember that it is also a mode of expression and creativity—each writer has his or her own voice, and over time, it can get lost in the daily grind of client emails and press releases.

So then, what are we to do? How do we maintain our creative voices while building our communications toolboxes? We offer Austin’s best kept secrets: writer’s retreats.

The first on our list is well known in Austin, and for good reason. The Writing Barn, a 7.5 acre retreat owned by author Bethany Hegedus, offers three ways to stay, but each is lined floor to ceiling with bookshelves and has no TVs. Just 20 minutes outside Austin, the picturesque “barns” are a quiet sanctuary, fully equipped with great amenities.

If a big weekend getaway isn’t your ideal retreat, Austin has some of the most unique and eclectic homes on Airbnb and HomeAway, any of which would make for an interesting, and thought-provoking, overnight stay. Whether you find peace in a high-rise or an Airstream, it’s important to take personal time to reset.

Sometimes a room can be too still and quiet to concentrate, and the hum and buzz of a business is oddly relaxing. With coffee shops aplenty, it’s easy to take your pick of a location to work and enjoy a little caffeine. Bennu Coffee, Mozart’s Coffee Roasters and Summermoon are all great places to start.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your career, it’s always a good time to look up and away from the computer screen, and take a break. A retreat, or a simple walk around Austin’s scenic streets, can be enough to get the creative juices flowing again.