This is something I have aspired to do for a very long time.
I have even filled out a few applications to be a
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| Would you take a train trip just to write on your novel? |
A writer who resides temporarily often times for no or
little cost in a place to work on their own project as well as share their knowledge
insights. There are hundreds of these opportunities for writers that offer
inspiring places to do nothing but hone their craft and possibly help inspire
or teach others.
A writer can apply for these opportunities in places around
the world. Recently Amtrak Railroad announced that they are going to start a
writer in residence program giving writers free or low cost train trips to
write on their books. How exciting is that?
I would love to have that opportunity to take a trip some
place on a train across the country and write the whole time.
Here are a few of the places on my writers in residence wish
list.
They provide writers and artists with a single room with a view
of the sea or gardens, breakfast and lunch in the Chateau. They also provide a
private studio for the author or artist to work. These residencies last from
five weeks up to one year depending on which of the programs applied for.
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| Kerouac House, Orlando, Florida |
A three month residency in the cottage where Jack Kerouac wrote Dharma Bums. The project pays the resident’s utilities and $800
in a monthly food stipend. The writer in residence works on their project and
gives a reading of it at the end of their stay. Also during the residency they
may be required to participate in community events, readings, workshops and the
like.
The Virginia Center Blue Ridge Mountains . They
host up to 25 residents at a time providing private rooms, work areas and
meals.
And of course the list wouldn’t be complete without….
The program is not yet open for applications but will be
very soon, according to several statements made. Writers will be given a free or
low cost train trip to write to their hearts content.
How about you? Is there some place you would love to live
and write, maybe even get paid to or do so for free?
I love riding trains, and they are great places to write. I haven't ridden a train for the sole purpose of inspiration to write, but writing is what I've done while on a train ride. Crossing my fingers that Amtrak follows through with the Writer in Residence program.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be a writer in residence on a train. I love trains!
ReplyDeleteThis post has reminded me how much I love trains. I'd love the residence on a train but the journey would probably completely influence what I was writing which is probably the point..
ReplyDeleteThurber House have a writer in residence and I'd love to do that one too. Think I'd better find ones I'm eligible for and apply. Good luck with AtoZ by the way..