From Fruity to Raffell

My time at the WritersMosaic retreat in Dumfries was an incredibly rewarding and productive experience. What I valued most was the opportunity to spend time alongside a diverse group of writers, many of whom were further along in their careers and working across a wide range of disciplines. With a background in screen acting, I have transitioned into writing, bringing a performer’s viewpoint to the page. Being exposed to different approaches, processes and perspectives was both inspiring and encouraging.

Spending ten days away with a group of people I’d never met before felt slightly daunting, particularly as creativity can often leave us feeling quite exposed. Those nerves quickly disappeared. From the very beginning, everyone created an atmosphere of generosity, openness and mutual respect. There was a genuine sense that each person knew how to hold space for one another, whether that meant listening, offering thoughtful feedback or simply allowing each writer the freedom to work in their own way. This culture didn’t happen by chance; it was nurtured beautifully by the retreat leaders, whose warmth, encouragement and thoughtful facilitation created an environment in which everyone felt welcomed, supported and able to do their best work.

Writing can often be a lonely pursuit, and at times a discouraging one. Much of the work happens in isolation, with long periods of uncertainty and rejection. One of the most valuable aspects of the retreat was hearing how established writers navigate those challenges. Learning how others frame rejection, maintain momentum and, importantly, find ways to monetise their craft was eye-opening to me. It offered a realistic and encouraging insight into what a sustainable creative life can look like if you stay the course.

I arrived at the retreat hoping to make progress on an idea for a novel, and the focused environment allowed me to do exactly that. Alongside this, I also found the time and creative energy to write a script for a short film, Raffle.

Raffle is a follow up to my first short film, Fruity, which I shared with the group during an evening screening. Fruity is a four-minute piece that I wrote and starred in at the beginning of the year. It was the first time I had presented the film to fellow writers and creatives, and hearing their responses was a particularly memorable experience. Showing the film in such an intimate setting ahead of its official release went a long way to dispel my nerves and provided insight into the kind of responses it evoked in people.

Just as valuable as the hours spent writing were the evenings before dinner, which quickly became a cherished part of the retreat. Gathered together over drinks, conversations naturally evolved into spirited, good-humoured debates on everything from contemporary social issues to historical events and cultural shifts. Despite the breadth of opinions and experiences in the room, discussions were always thoughtful, respectful and driven by genuine curiosity. As writers, we are naturally drawn to understanding people and the world around us, and these conversations became an extension of the creative process itself.

Having an amazing dinner prepared for us each evening by the team removed the daily distraction of planning and cooking, giving us the headspace to remain fully immersed in our work. It also created a gentle rhythm to the day. Knowing we would all gather at the same time encouraged a healthy sense of structure, allowing us to write with purpose while still ensuring we stepped away from our desks to reconnect as a group. That balance between uninterrupted creative time and shared meals was one of the retreat’s greatest strengths.

The retreat provided the perfect balance of solitude, community and creative stimulation. I left with new work completed, fresh ideas for future projects, valuable industry insights and a renewed confidence in my writing. I would highly recommend the experience to any writer looking for dedicated time to create, reflect and connect with others.

Delon Jessop

Delon Jessop is an actor, writer and voiceover artist.