Last week, I took a stateside writing retreat, and I was reminded that Dallas is completely underestimated.
I often need to get away to focus and really think about the story I’m writing. And as much as I love flying overseas to live out my English countryside writing dreams, that’s not always possible for my schedule. So, I wanted to share this quick guide for anyone who wants to plan a low-cost writing retreat this weekend in Dallas!
You can make this as inexpensive as you want. Stay at home and pack your meals, and you’ve basically got yourself a free retreat! But if you’re open to spending a little, I’ll share some of my favorite restaurants and places to stay along the way.
Saturday
Check in at The Madison Hotel or Bishop Arts Hotel.
The Madison is just a few minutes away from Bishop Arts—arguably one of the most walkable districts in Dallas—and Bishop Arts Hotel puts you right in the neighborhood, so you can walk just about everywhere! Both start at around $115 per night (depending on the night, of course!)
Drop your bags and head right over to North Oak Cliff Branch Library. They close at 4 p.m. on Saturdays, so it’s the perfect place to squeeze in your first writing sprint before you get too hungry!
Snack + another writing session
Once your stomach begins to growl like a rabid wolf, walk over to The Wild Detectives to grab a snack and write your heart out!
The Wild Detectives now has two locations in the neighborhood, both within walking distance of Bishop Arts Hotel and about a 15-minute walk from The Madison.
Write until you can’t write anymore—remember, that’s the point of this! BUT don’t write until you’re completely exhausted or stumped.
Some of the best writing advice I’ve ever received is to walk away when you’re on fire!! Stop while you still know what comes next. That way, you’re always excited to return to your words!
Dinner at Paradiso
Walk over to my absolute favorite place for dinner: Paradiso.
Paradiso gets so much hype, and all of it is valid. Everything is fresh, even the seafood, and as a Gulf Coast girl stuck in this desert, that means A LOT to me! I actually just went last night and got the salmon, chickpea, and couscous dish. Definitely recommend!
Wind down.
Do a little writing when you get settled back into your home or hotel for the evening, and then LET YOUR BRAIN REST!
Watch a movie. Read a book. Consume stories and words without asking yourself to produce anything.
And go to bed on time because you have an early morning tomorrow!
Sunday
Breakfast first!
Eat breakfast at your place, or, if you’re an early bird, head over to Tribal All Day Cafe! They open at 8 a.m. on Sundays. And, by the way, I’m not recommending any meal in particular because nothing has let me down!
Eat quickly, though, because you have to hit the trails!
Get outside + think about your story
After breakfast, you’re going to Cedar Ridge Preserve. Trust me, Cedar Ridge Preserve is worth the 20-minute drive from the hotel! Plus, studies have shown that getting outside and walking can help boost creativity which is exactly what we need on a writing retreat! (and no, I don’t feel like tagging the studies so take my word for it! lol)
If you’re going solo, I’d get there around 9 a.m. so you’re not completely alone on the trails. I went at 9 a.m. on a Sunday, and it was comfortably busy!
And if you want the views from the video, you’re going to take the Cattail Pond Trail. It’s about two miles out and back, and there are some steep stairs if you want to go all the way down to the pond.
Most importantly: write mentally while you walk!
Think about your characters. What would they be thinking about on this hike? Would they even hike? Or are they anti-fresh air for some odd reason?! What would they notice that you wouldn’t? What problem are they trying to solve?
You don’t have to physically put words on the page for this time to count as writing.
Sunday’s lunch!
Hike from about 9a–11 a.m. On your way back from the trail, listen to that audiobook you’ve been wanting to finish, and drive over to Veracruz Cafe for a yummy lunch.
Also, no recommendations here because EVERYTHING is good. And I do mean everything.
One final writing session
After lunch, grab everything from your hotel—but don’t go home yet!
Spend the afternoon at La Reunion for one final writing session. Somehow, every time I go, the Wi-Fi is spotty, so plan accordingly! Write by hand, use your Notes app, or make sure your document is available offline.
Then put your phone away, order something good, and get back into your story.
This is your last writing sprint of the retreat, so don’t worry about making everything perfect. Just get the words on the page.
That’s it! You did it!
You can officially go home and be SUPER proud of yourself!
You gave yourself an entire weekend to think, walk, read, eat good food, consume stories, and—most importantly—WRITE.
And remember: the retreat is the time you set aside, not the money you spend. You absolutely do not have to book a hotel or eat at any of these restaurants. Stay home, pack your meals, visit the library, hit the trail, and bring your notebook. Or splurge a little and make a weekend out of it! The point is to intentionally step outside of your normal routine and give your writing your full attention.
Happy writing!!
p.s. I’m a sucker for chit chat! comment if you’re going to do this, AND come back once you have to tell me how many words you were able to get on the page!
omg bless u for this. ive been trying to plan one for next weekend and u just solved that. throwing the farmers market in my itnerary as well :)