In revisiting my post To Retreat or Not: The Writers’ Conference Question, I’m a little surprised that I was so bold in asking whether or not I should attend the Aspen Summer Words Writing Retreat (and Literary Festival). At that point, I hadn’t even applied, much less been accepted. Wasn’t it a bit early to be asking if I should go? I think so!

But, the good news: I got in. And I was awarded the Isa and Daniel Shaw Scholarship for Memoir. When I got the call, I had to sit down. It seemed too good to be true.

And I thank everyone here for being so encouraging and telling me to go, especially if I could make it work financially.

So, dear readers, do you have any advice? Anything I should do to prepare? Do you recommend I read I check out any resources on making the most of a retreat? Have you heard horror stories or “wish I had done things differently” stories? Should I try to meet with agents and/or editors, even though my manuscript isn’t finished? I would love your input.

Also, I’ll put the call out now. I will be looking for guest posts here in mid-June while I’m at the retreat. If you’re interested in writing something, let me know.