I spent Monday through Wednesday before Halloween on a solo writing retreat in the awesome Mississippi River town of Cape Girardeau so I could get a novel I started — and stopped working on — in 2018 back on track. I think it worked! I’m up to chapter 10, anyway.

The Downtown Guest House, hosted by the owners of thrift shop extraordinaire Anna Laurie’s, is perfect for writing. If you are a writer reading this, and you are anywhere near southeast Missouri, consider it. Tiny little house, but just right. Walking distance to the Mississippi River (about 5 short blocks), and tons of cool eateries and drink stops and coffeeshops along the way.

Here are some photos from the retreat. I’m looking to do this a few more times. I definitely plan to come back to the Downtown Guest House as it’s super convenient for me — less than an hour from home. But if any of y’all know of any places in the southwest of the Midwest, lmk.