Writing residencies and writing events offer something rare and precious: time and space dedicated entirely to your work.

You can find plenty of RESIDENCIES, whatever country you choose. Some are free and offer grants to support your stay; others can vary from less to more expensive.

One of my fellow writers Helen Hafgnýr Cova wrote her first book Autosarcophagy: To Eat Oneself (2020) during a residency at Blue Bank in Þingeyri in Westfjords. Since then she visited also the artist residency programme Klaustrið at Skriðuklaustur.

 

 

An alternative to residencies are WRITING EVENTS, ranging from the less formal to the more structured.

There are many different formats that work for you. On one end of the spectrum, there are events like “Shut up and write!” that are intensely focused, almost minimalist in their design: a group of writers gathers, often in a library or a café, sets a timer, and simply writes.

Then there are the more informal gatherings that often grow organically among friends. A small group agrees to meet at someone’s home or a quiet corner of a university building, café, or a library. Such a group can also be a form of emotional and artistic support.

A great initiative for shared writing sessions was created by Lithuanian-born author Greta Lietuvninkaitė-Susickė, who is based in the Westfjords. Through her reflective writing studio, Write it Out, she has been hosting regular writing sessions in Ísafjörður since 2019. The initiative encourages therapeutic writing in multiple languages and creates an open, welcoming literary space for the local community.

 

 

For those who prefer writing in solitude but, for various reasons, choose not to apply for official residencies, organising a SELF-DIRECTED RESIDENCY on their own terms can be an effective alternative. I know several writers and artists who do exactly this. They actively block out writing time in their calendars: sometimes just a single afternoon, other times a full day, and occasionally an entire getaway dedicated entirely to their creative work. Some rent a small cabin or book a simple room outside of town, while others simply disappear from home and retreat to libraries, cafés, or co-working spaces.

 

Your Task

1. Reflect on your writing time and environment:

• What kind of set-up would support your writing?
• How much uninterrupted time do you need to get into a writing flow?
• Do you need structure and accountability, or complete freedom?
• Do you prefer writing in solitude, or does the company of other writers help you focus?
• Would you consider going away for a period of time, or is a regular local set-up more suitable for your circumstances?

2. Choose one of the following activities.

• Map writing residencies: Look up residency programs that could support your writing. You can search using phrases such as “writing residency,” “free residency,” “youth residency,” or “writing residency Iceland.” Consider your needs and circumstances. Some residencies allow parents to bring children and offer childcare; others are designed for specific communities or working conditions. Some opportunities may exist locally, while others might inspire you to travel internationally.
•  Explore writing events in your area: Search for writing groups or writing sessions near you. If nothing feels like a good fit, imagine creating your own. Think about a name for the group, a possible meeting schedule, who you would like to invite, and whether it would be in-person or online. Create a short action plan.
• Plan a self-directed residency: Imagine your own self-directed “writing residency” and draft a simple action plan. For example: When would you write Where would you write? How would you protect that time?