Nestled on the Atlantic Coast of Florida, the setting of the Atlantic Center for the Arts is a writer’s paradise. Florida itself is a sun-filled paradise in the middle of March for those who make their way here from chilly northern climes. Coming by car, I turned the corner into the Center and the imposing black iron gates opened with the assigned code. Wooden walkways lead to various studios and buildings at the Center and, happily we are warned, keep one elevated above the resident rattlesnakes. I now dearly wish I’d brought my Wellies. The room is both spare and inviting. All the necessary amenities like a coffee maker, microwave, small fridge. Both windows in my room look out on a cacophony of gangly palm trees and exotic jungle-like greenery. The copious greenery is equal parts soothing and stimulating. I’ve come to this writing retreat as a Writer-in-Residence to focus on writing and to rub shoulders with 42 other writers for six days. The Murphy School of Writing is based at Stockton University in New Jersey and had hosted retreats here for decades until COVID. Now the School, like the rest of the world, is getting its’ feet under it again and holding in-person retreats here and in New England and New Jersey. This retreat offers two dedicated workshops specializing in Poetry and Memoir. Led by Writing School Director Peter Murphy – a Welsh-born American – and author Nancy Reddy respectively, the students meet and write together for four hours daily. As the Memoir workshop was full, my goal here is to inject much-needed rigour into the writing process I’ve undertaken. I aim to produce the book that has been simmering in my head for decades about the strategies I used to overcome an unstable and fractious childhood. There will be quite a lot of juicy bits about pitfalls and backsliding along the way. The process feels like subjecting myself to a university course while chasing a degree again. I know my focus and several scenes have already solidified. The required research has started. The themes are emerging and clarifying. The necessary discipline, according to nearly every writing guide I’ve ever read, is to write for at least two hours a day until a draft manuscript is produced. The greatest writing advice out there for those in need of guidance? “Put your bum in the seat.” “Shut up and write.” Having a manuscript in hand, there is more work ahead to review what’s been written, edit, polish, rewrite, edit, proofread, cut, and review again until there is a collection of words that hangs together to ultimately attract several readers’ interest. That’s the goal at least. There is alchemy involved, I know. And part of the alchemy is starting down the path with the belief that with constant application and elbow grease, my goal will be achieved. And there are all of you, of course, to keep me on the straight and narrow. Hopefully, along the way, there will be sufficient tidbits of information about writing and general observations about the ludicrousness and beauty of life to keep you engaged. Or at the very least, even if you are bored stupid, you will be kind enough to refrain from saying so. Writers need that kind of support and encouragement.