As a writing coach, I think I have one of the most fun jobs in the universe. I love the process of helping people:

• Clarify their book ideas
• Learn the secrets of good writing
• Write a compelling book proposal
• Attract a top agent and publisher
• Enjoy the benefits of being  a published author

There’s just one problem…time to write my own books…I tend to push my own personal projects to the back burner. There’s only so much time in a day–especially when you have young kids.

I often stay up late to read a client’s manuscript, answer e-mails, or work on my writing coach web presence. When I only had one child, who often slept in, I’d write my own work in the mornings. Now, my toddler is an early riser.

I realized there was only one solution if I wanted to make serious headway on my next book.

The writing coach needs a retreat. At first I just blanked out one day a month on my calendar for writing. One day seemed a little skimpy though. And wouldn’t it be nice to add a few perks to my personal retreat and maybe even “get away from it all?” No phones. No meals to cook. No e-mails. No one to take care of but me.

Six days ago I looked at a yoga center website to book my own personal retreat. Then I figured, why not see if there’s a writing workshop that weekend. There is. My mother-in-law, who is practically a saint, changed her schedule to accommodate my writing retreat.

My writing retreat now includes body work, vegetarian meals, yoga classes and a writing workshop.  I’m dreaming about my retreat–the fall colors in the Berkshires, maybe even a light snow (it was snowing when I called), time to go inward and think about…nothing.

I have this feeling I need to create some fallow space in my life for this next book. I can’t just go from my nonstop lifestyle to writing this next book.

How about you? Could you use a writing retreat? Your retreat doesn’t need to be costly. You might know a relative or friend with a vacation condo or a cabin in the woods and head out for a weekend. And it could be just a day, or a few days, blocked out in your calendar for writing and maybe a walk in the woods.

But make the time. You’ll be glad you did.