Celebrating the last night of my writing retreat in the North Georgia mountains by whomping up a tasty fictional dinner in this fantastic outdoor kitchen at #riverbendlodgeellijay for my bossy bitch friend @seasidesisterstybee. Tragically we check out & return to reality tomorrow, but these few days have allowed me to get my head in the world of my next book. Also had a couple great lunches out at Butcher & Bottle in Ellijay and Harvest in Blue Ridge. (Might have been a lil accidental junking too.) Check back with me tomorrow on all the deets about how you can book your own stay here. #writingretreat #escapeblueridge #amwriting #mountainmagic

Riverbend Lodge has been very very good for my writing retreat. And at the end of the day, after writing my azz off, it’s time for @datelinenbc true crime inspo & then some @netflix. #writingretreat #riverbendlodge #amwriting #mountainmagic

Just counted—17 pages! I usually start drafting a book by scribbling longhand in my composition book, then once I have built some momentum, I switch to writing a Word doc on my laptop. I’m still noodling with the plot of this book, so lots of cross outs and text bubbles in margins. As a recovering journalist, I’m a fast typist, so drafting longhand helps me slow my brain down & frees up my creativity. Writing in a gorgeous setting like this—so peaceful and quiet is such a gift—even when your bossy friend is playing sheriff…#writingretreat #riverbendlodge #willwriteforwine #mountainmagic

Ran away from home to write at River Bend Lodge near Ellijay. #doesnotsuck #writersretreat #mountainmagic #amwriting