I recently attended a three day writing retreat with the League of Utah Writers Romance Chapter in Midway, Utah. The retreat was designed as both a creative reset and a skill building experience, offering a balance of focused writing time, workshops, and collaborative activities.
Set against the quiet mountain backdrop, the retreat provided an ideal environment to step away from daily distractions and engage deeply with craft, experimentation, and momentum.
Writing, Workshops, and Creative Challenges
Throughout the retreat, we participated in a series of workshops focused on craft development and genre exploration. A major theme centered on techniques for blending romance and horror, particularly how emotional intimacy can deepen tension and stakes instead of dissolving them. These discussions directly informed my work on my current novel and helped clarify structural and tonal choices moving forward.
We also took part in mini writing competitions designed to spark creativity and encourage risk taking. I was thrilled to win one of these challenges and received a leather bound journal as my prize, which has since become a dedicated space for drafting and development ideas.
In addition to structured programming, we had extended blocks of uninterrupted writing time. Over the course of the retreat, I made meaningful progress on my novel, which now sits at just over 19,000 words.
Community and Content Creation
The retreat also made intentional space for collaborative promotion. As a group, we created social media content including short videos and reels to support upcoming book releases and ongoing projects. Working together on content creation reinforced the importance of visibility and storytelling beyond the page, especially within a supportive creative community.
This blend of craft, production, and marketing aligned closely with how I approach creative work holistically. Writing, promotion, and audience engagement are interconnected, and the retreat reflected that reality in a practical, hands on way.
The Value of Place and Rest
Midway itself played an important role in the experience. One highlight was soaking in the Homestead Crater, which offered a rare pause for rest and reflection. That balance of productivity and restoration made space for creative breakthroughs to surface naturally.
Stepping into a slower rhythm reinforced how environment shapes tone, mood, and imagination, both in drafting new work and rethinking existing material.
Why This Experience Matters
This retreat marked a meaningful step in my creative development. It reinforced the value of intentional focus, community feedback, and playful experimentation through challenges and workshops.
As both a writer and creative professional, experiences like this shape how I approach long form storytelling, genre blending, and how to create lasting change.
Hope to see you at the next event!
xoxo,
Michaela Rae
