Melissa Pandika

Melissa Pandika is a content writer and copywriter. Previously, she was a staff writer covering health, wellness, money, and career through the lenses of identity and social justice for Mic's Life vertical. Her work has also appeared in Discover, New York Magazine's The Cut, Bon Appétit's Healthyish, VICE, and the Los Angeles Times, among other outlets. She is a Writers Grotto member, as well as a Tin House Summer Workshop alumna, and is at work on a memoir.

Did the retreat meet your expectations?

It exceeded them. A week spent focusing on nothing but my manuscript in a gorgeous setting left me feeling inspired and invigorated.

What was the most unexpected part of your stay?

The snow—I had no idea it snowed in Oregon! The hushed, enchanted atmosphere it created was perfect for contemplation.

What was the most enjoyable aspect of your retreat?

The uninterrupted time to focus solely on my manuscript was such a gift. Normally, I work on it only whenever I can steal an hour two before or after the workday, or a few hours on the weekend.

Did the vineyard setting inspire you and/or your writing? In what ways?

Yes! The utter quiet and pastoral beauty allowed me to easily immerse myself in the narrative, and explore possibilities that wouldn't have normally occurred to me.

What did you work on during the retreat?

I began the first round of revisions on my memoir manuscript and workshopped an excerpt with a friend.

What other activities did you do during the retreat?

As a high-strung person, I tend to struggle with napping, but I managed to nap a few times during the retreat! My mind and body couldn't help but succumb to the calm, the quiet, the long stretches of unscheduled time. Aditi (my friend and co-resident) and I cooked some elaborate meals together. We also explored charming downtown Sherwood, and visited an alpaca farm just down the road from the winery.

Did you participate in any activities or events arranged by the host winery?

Alloro organized a lovely tasting for us. The wine was delicious, and the staff members were knowledgeable and hospitable. They recommended an excellent restaurant that makes pizza with local ingredients—including honey!

Any tips or advice you think might be helpful for future residency applicants?

Set reasonable goals, and be gentle with yourself. I started the retreat with an ambitious plan to revise the entire first draft of my manuscript—before realizing after the first day that this would not be feasible.I had to step back and remind myself of a much larger goal I had set: to engage in the deep, intentional work that the day-to-day hustle didn't allow. The number of pages I'd revised by the end of my stay wasn't nearly as important as whether I'd taken advantage of the opportunity it offered to explore and take creative risks.

If your retreat was a co-residency do you have any advice or tips for future applicants that wish to apply and work together?

Remember that planning time with each other is as important as planning time to write, and can energize and nourish you both in ways that support your work.

Can you sum up your experience in eight to ten words?

Rejuvenating, luxuriant, productive. A creative hideaway.

Any other comments, impressions, and surprises about the retreat you wish to convey?

This retreat was my first, and now I can't wait to apply to others. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Writing Between the Vines and Alloro Vineyard, for organizing this beautiful program!