Five Weeks Writing on a Boat

... in the middle of the woods

Please forgive the long hiatus; I’ve been writing on a boat. This boat specifically:

It’s the Henriquez Studio at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, in Banff, Alberta, Canada, but everyone just calls it “The Boat.” I’m writing this after getting back from a Leighton Independent Residency, one of the most nourishing artistic experiences of my career so far—the boat, the people, the environment. I mean, this is what I got to see every day during meals:

And this is what the boat looks like inside the studio. My favorite spot was not the desk but the captain’s chair in the back, where I spent many hours reading and typing.

One thing I realize being on the boat for five weeks is how much my writing space affects my work. Since we’ve moved back to Ithaca, NY and now live in a house, I’ve enjoyed having more space, but working in The Boat made me appreciate cozy nooks and crannies that corresponded with some of the detailwork I found myself focusing on as I was finishing revising my stories. Working in The Boat made me aware that often, a change of scenery can be a good idea when I’m stuck on something or there’s a particular type of work I’m feeling lazy about. Right now, I’m doing a lot of line edits, and plan to work in cafés more since I find the surrounding activity helps with my attention deficit problems.

Another big feature of the Leighton Residency is that it’s completely independent, meaning that an artist can interact as much or as little as they want with other folks, which is perfect when one is in the late stages of a project. It’s a great complement to residencies like MacDowell where there’s an expectation to be at dinner together every night. But the artists I was with there were lovely and we went on walks and even a trip to the Banff Hot Springs together. I also got adopted by folks from the Playwrights’ Lab the last week I was there, and my work boat became a low-key party boat for one evening.

photo by Yvette Nolan

I also found time to do some hiking during the day, seeing as Banff Centre is in a national park where running into (and steering clear of) giant elk is just part of a normal day. The facilities are also the poshest I’ve experienced at a residency, since Banff Centre hosts large conferences in addition to artists, so it’s like staying at an upscale hotel while getting your work done at the same time. I highly recommend applying; maybe you’ll end up on the boat! Applications for the Leighton Independent Residency are due in November and April, but Banff Centre also hosts a bunch of other literary programs that especially cater to emerging writers. Here’s their program page so you can take a look!

Until next time,
Meredith