North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership
Paige Monaghan, Psychology, University of Liverpool (2021 Cohort)
I’ve never been to a writing retreat before. As a PhD student, it often seemed that every opportunity just wasn’t the “right place, right time.” Perhaps you’ve seen ads for the famous Gladstone’s writing retreat—it’s far away and pricey (and the Gladstone Writing Retreat is not covered by RTSG). So, it’s safe to say that the perfect opportunity hadn’t come along until last month.
While I was sitting at my desk, staring at the same four walls with writer’s block in full swing (oh, the joys we all experience), a notification popped up in my inbox: Writing Retreat… Liverpool… Leonardo’s Hotel… NWSSDTP collaboration with John Moores University. I thought, “Oooh, this might be good.” Knowing that Liverpool John Moores University frequently hosted writing retreats, and hearing they had teamed up with my funding body, made it even more appealing. So, I signed up.
I arrived on the day, laptop in hand, right by the docks at Liverpool and was greeted by the lovely, warm atmosphere of Leonardo’s Hotel. What I loved most about the day was the layout. We began by sharing our goals with the host. Goals varied—some aimed to write 2,000 words, while others simply wanted to start something new. My goal was to finish analysing the last few interview transcripts for my second chapter. Verbalising my objectives to a room full of people helped clarify my goals and aims. Then, we got to work. The team had thought of everything, your laptop connected to the VPN at the hotel so you could access your documents from the university system and the writing and typing was done in silence, but there was a separate room just off to the side if you wanted to chat with someone.
And you know what? It was easy to write! Everyone there was so focused on advancing their work, it really spurred me on! Within the hour, my writer’s block had melted into a wet puddle on the floor, which I mopped up by typing away. The perks were also fabulous—unlimited coffee and tea, pastries, and even lunch and dinner were served. It was a fantastic day.
If our funding body offers these opportunities again, make sure to jump on them, fellow students! You’re well taken care of and provided with a nurturing atmosphere to smash through your writing block. I, for one, will certainly be attending again! Why wait for inspiration to strike when you can chase it down with a retreat like this? See you there next time, ready to write and refuel!
North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership 
What a lovely read! I really enjoyed how you captured the energy and focus of the writing retreat at Leonardo’s Hotel. The balance between productivity and relaxation sounds perfect — great setup, thoughtful planning, and a supportive atmosphere. It’s inspiring to see how a change of environment and good company can reignite creativity. Definitely makes me want to sign up for the next one!
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