Advice for Writers in Residence
I’ve just finished a fantastic month long residence at the James Merrill House in Stonington, Connecticut. Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to have been offered a number of residencies. Some of them have been much better experiences than others. I’m fully aware that it is an enormous privilege to be offered uninterrupted time to write and think, frequently with a stipend attached and often in a beautiful place. I am very grateful for everything I’ve been given. I’m not an expert on making the most of residency time but I thought, this morning, while Stonington is fresh in my mind, would be a good time to offer some hard learnt lessons I’ve acquired on residencies.
(Disclaimer - none of these points are specifically linked to any residency in particular).
Be prepared to be overwhelmed - If, like me, you’re the kind of writer who usually writes frantically in the margins of life you may find yourself staring out a window/looking at a wall/totally unmotivated to write when you’re finally in receipt of uninterrupted creative time. This is very normal. Do not let yourself feel guilty if you don’t write as much as you’d hoped to write. Rest is often a huge part of being on a residency.
Bring a couple of different projects with you - I’ve slowly learnt that it helps to have a few of different things you’re working on whilst on residency. This way, if one project is a bit constipated, you can switch to the other for a while and not feel like you’re wasting time. Personally, I try to bring one new project which is at an early draft stage and something which I’m editing.
Split your day up - Again, a month or more of time to write can seem quite daunting. I’ve always found it helps to split my day up into segments, factoring in time to read, rest, walk, write and even, be a bit social if the opportunity’s there. Bizarrely I seem to get more done if I come at the work in small chunks rather than writing until I’m totally spent. This last residency, I worked on a couple of jigsaw puzzles and found that focusing my brain on a small repetitive task helped me to relax and also unlocked quite a few ideas I’d been struggling with in my novel.
Be aware of what you’ve signed up for - Some residencies come with a variety of obligations official and unofficial. Make sure you read the smallprint and ask for details of what’s expected of you in regards to public events, workshops etc. I’ve been on residencies where the blurb has said ‘the writer will be expected to partake in some community engagement’ and it’s turned out to be akin to a full time job. Ask for clarification if you’re unsure. Similarly, you may feel like there’s an obligation to be social with the organisation or individuals who are hosting you. It’s a good idea to establish some boundaries in this regard so you don’t feel overstretched.
Don’t forget about your body - I always get really stiff and sore when I’m on residencies because I’m spending more time than usual static, at my desk. Try to factor in some walks or exercise of some sort. Your bones will thank you and you’ll probably be able to concentrate better if you leave your study occasionally.
Factor in all the costs - Many residencies include a stipend to allow you to survive while away from your usual circumstance. A big chunk of money can seem really appealing but make sure you take into account all the costs involved in a residency. You may have to pay for travel or, if meals aren’t provided, figure in eating out more than usual. The costs can very quickly mount up and occasionally I’ve found that a funded residency has ended up costing me money.
Pack like you’re going home for Christmas - I always pack the wrong clothes for residencies. You’re unlikely to need very many nice outfits; maybe a couple of things for public events or meals out . You’ll mostly be slouching about in the sort of comfy clothes you’d wear for vegging in front of the TV. I’d always suggest bringing some warm clothes and even a hot water bottle, as pretty much every residency space I’ve ever been in has been a bit chilly even in the middle of the summer.
Check the facilities before you arrive - Ask if there’s decent wifi. Ask if you’ll have access to books you can read, (this can be the difference between packing light and schlepping dozens of books onto buses and trains). Ask if there are laundry facilities, a hairdryer, grocery stores close at hand. I’ve found that on residencies a lot of my time gets taken up with sorting out small domestic tasks like laundry and finding groceries, which I have convenient systems in place for at home.
Understand the difference between a solo and group residency - I’ve been on residencies where I’m the only writer and, you’re quite a social person, these can be a bit lonely and isolating. In all honesty, I don’t think I’d take another solo residency for more than a month or six weeks at this stage. I also find it difficult to put normal life on pause for more than about a month and find trying to teach, answer emails and keep up with admin whilst away from my usual office set up and routine, way more stressful on residency. I often have to factor in time differences and ropey wifi and other small annoyances. Group residencies, with many artists sharing the same living space can be so much fun and a chance to meet amazing people but again, if you’re social like me, you might find yourself increasingly distracted with conversations and meeting new people and not getting very much writing done. All this to say, you need to know a little about yourself as an artist if you want to make the most of a residency. Be aware that as well as being overwhelmed by time to write you might feel a little overwhelmed mentally by having so much uninterrupted time to think.
Remember to say thank you - Residencies are often run by incredible people who, like most people in the creative industries, aren’t get paid half enough for the work they do. Some might even be volunteers. Make sure they know their hard work is appreciated. Take the time to offer constructive suggestions if there are ways in which the residency experience could be improved. Be prepared to write testimonials or fill in evaluation forms as these can be an essential part of acquiring ongoing funding for a residency. If you’ve benefited from your stay, recommend the opportunity to other writers who might also be a good fit.