Back from Iceland! (a.k.a. A Quick Update)

/ saraletourneau

Hi, everyone! 😀

I’ve been back from Iceland for over a week, and while I’m still returning to a normal routine and re-adjusting to my “home” time zone, I’m ready to ease myself back into blogging. So here’s a quick update:

In short, the Iceland Writers Retreat was AMAZING. The workshops, the writers I met, the sightseeing, the food, the history… There was so much to take in, and I think I won’t know how exactly this trip impacted me until weeks or months down the road. But I savored every minute I was there, and… well, I’m already considering going back again next year. That will depend on a few things, but we’ll see what happens.

In the meantime, I’m writing articles about my IWR experience, one each for DIY MFA and Writers Helping Writers that cover different angles of the trip. I’d like to post something here as well, but that won’t happen until after I meet my deadlines for the other two posts. I’ve also finished sifting through the 300+ photos I took. (HUH??) Most of them will be saved for the online photo album I’ll share with donors who contributed $50 or more to my GoFundMe campaign for the retreat. But you’ll see some with the articles I’ll write… and maybe you’ve seen a few on Facebook or Twitter, too. 😉 (You can find them using the hashtag #IcelandWritersRetreat on either site.)

Also, remember that before my trip, I said I had been dealing with anxiety due to creative and personal stress? Thanks to the retreat, I’m the most calm and relaxed I’ve been in weeks And even better, I have a firm idea of my next steps writing-wise. All of that will be shared in due time, but for now…

How are you doing? Did you do anything interesting while I was in Iceland / on hiatus? I’ve missed chatting with you, so let me know what you’ve been up to in your comments!

26 thoughts on “Back from Iceland! (a.k.a. A Quick Update)”

  3. Ohh I’m so happy that it went well and especially that you feel refreshed and motivated. That’s wonderful. Have fun sifting through all those photos! I went to a garden in Holland last week and took 400 pictures in one afternoon, so I can relate. ;D

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    • Thanks, Aberdeen! Yes, it feels really good to come back from the trip feeling this way. I’m still having some echoes of uncertainty writing-wise, but some of that is stuff I need to work on personally.

      Ha ha about the photos. XD I’ve gone through mine a couple times now, so I think I know which ones I’m going to share in the online photo album for the GoFundMe donors. I just hope it won’t be too many!

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  4. Welcome back! I’m so glad you had an amazing time in Iceland, and I can’t wait to hear more about it! I hope the trip helped to inspire you writing-wise as well.
    Did you get to try some Icelandic traditional foods? Were you able to speak some Icelandic to people there?

    I’m almost ready to send Strayborn off to beta readers again. Other than that, nothing new to report here. 🙂

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    • Thanks, E.! Like I said to Sarah, I think the full effect of this trip will take time to sink in, but it was definitely inspiring as well as… clarifying. Or head-clearing. I’m not sure what word would be best to use there. *lol*

      I LOVED THE FOOD. Oh my goodness, and that was the part I was concerned about, since I’m not the most adventurous diner. But while I was there, I had lamb (which I had never tried here at home), skyr (Icelandic yogurt, similar to Greek yogurt), kleinur (twisted donuts), and smoked potato croquettes (deep-fried, breadcrumb-coated balls of seasoned mashed potato). And OOOOH they make herbal teas over there using herbs, flowers, and plants that are native to the island! 😀 They also serve a lot of seafood dishes in Iceland. My last meal there was mashed fish (white fish mashed and mixed with potato, milk, cheese, onions, and chives) with a side salad and buttered rye bread. And… and… I’ll stop there. XD

      As for speaking Icelandic… the only word I ended up using while I was there was “takk,” or “thank you.” Most Icelanders speak and understand English quite well (I think it’s one of the mandatory languages they learn in school). Plus, many Icelandic signs have English translations, and restaurant menus are printed in both languages. But the Icelanders sounded appreciative whenever I made the effort.

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  6. Sounds like a truly wonderful trip, Sara. And most importantly of all, I’m glad to hear how excited and inspired you sound and that you feel like you’re in a better place than you were before the trip!

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    • Awww, thank you, Leanne. 🙂 It really was an amazing trip. I really want to go back there, either as a tourist or for the retreat again. And given how stressful March was, the timing of it couldn’t have been better.

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  11. Late to the party (as usual). I’m glad to learn the trip was not only a great experience, but also has helped you with your anxiety. I hope the positive energy will stay with you for a long time and the memories will fuel your creativity.

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