The writers I spoke with agree: Myriad options exist for how to organize a retreat that’s generative, meaningful, and fun; there’s no one way to do this. Are travel and cost truly prohibitive? Host a virtual retreat with writer friends that includes both generative writing time and a structured sharing of work; build in something ritualistic and intention-setting. Craving time away from your house or writing space but can’t swing anything elaborate right now? Gather your crew and plan a daylong retreat at a writer friend’s house over a potluck. You could even do multiple days in a row, at different houses in your writer-friend circle, or plan the retreat at a library or other local writing spot. The retreat can be as laid-back and easy as you and your group would like. After all, you already have the two elements that matter most here—the writing and the writer friends. {read}