Sometimes we just need to get away to focus on the writing. If you don't have the opportunity to actually go to a retreat center or hotel for a writer's retreat, that shouldn't stop you from having the experience.

This swap is designed to outfit you with some thing to take/have as you go on your retreat -- even if you retreat right at home!

What to do on a writer's retreat? Think, write, eat, take walks, plan or outline a story or project, read, etc. You should set some goals for your retreat whether it's a day, a weekend or longer. Make sure those goals are SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.

This blog has 6 Tips for planning a stay-at-home retreat. See additional resources below.

For the swap -

Send your partner the following 5 items for her/his writing retreat:

• a pep talk by you to your partner (can be typed or legibly handwritten)

• 3-5 writing prompts

• a piece of writer gear (sender's choice and open to interpretation)

• a quote OR checklist to use during the retreat. The checklist could be a daily things to do list, books to read, etc. Basically, whatever you want to create for your partner. Leave room for them to actually write and use it.

• a wrapped reward (sender's choice) for completing the goals set for the retreat.

Find some additional guidance from the following articles. The first is from Writer's Digest, the second from a blog:

Create Your Own Mini-Writing Retreat

6 Essential Tips for Your Stay-at-Home Writing Retreat

International. Group membership. Snail mail.