Unworkshopping

 

I went on a writer's retreat last week! Three author friends and I packed up our manuscripts, left our families behind, and headed into the northeastern Pennsylvania wilderness. Our destination? The Highlights Foundation farm.

Yes, Highlights, as in Highlights Magazine for Children, the publication I so eagerly looked forward to each month as a kid. Founded in the 1930s, Highlights and associated children's literature publisher Boyd's Mills Press is still going strong in Honesdale, PA. The Highlights Foundation, down a country lane about twenty minutes out of town, is the site of wonderful workshops children's authors and illustrators. (Check out the workshop schedule here.)

 

 

So, I don't exactly write children's books! Luckily for me, whenever there's extra space at the Highlights farm, any author can sign up for an "Unworkshop." This includes a private room, three gourmet meals a day, and very spotty cellphone reception. In other words, the perfect setup for getting a lot of writing done!

Here are some pics from my Unbelievable Highlights Unworkshop!

  

 

 

The Barn, where workshops and meals happen

 

 

The Lodge, where I stayed

  

 

 

 

Individual writers' cabins