Rebecca Gomez Farrell

Rebecca Gomez Farrell refuses to say "Bloody Mary" three times into a mirror, but she writes stories about the people who do. Her Wings Rising epic fantasy duology is published by Meerkat Press. Book 2, Wings Unfurled, is due out in December 2022. Becca’s shorter works have appeared over thirty times in outlets such as Beneath Ceaseless Skies, It Calls From the Sky, PULP Literature, and A Quiet Afternoon 1 & 2. Plus, she waxes poetic about good eats and drinks on social media: @theGourmez. Website: RebeccaGomezFarrell.com.

Did the retreat meet your expectations?

Absolutely. The hosting winery made me feel very welcome, while also giving me space to relax, recharge, and create.

What was the most unexpected part of your stay?

Volcanic soils make for great wines, but I hadn’t really considered how that environment would be a boon for my project. The book is set on a future Earth, and the survivors of an apocalypse have rebuilt society. In this particular story, they are farming and thriving at the base of a volcano. The natural resources and geographic features of the retreat area informed my worldbuilding quite a bit!

What was the most enjoyable aspect of your retreat?

Being right in the heart of beautiful California wine country made it easy for me to find activities that recharged my creative energy—including plenty of wine tasting! I have long thought that my food critic and fiction writer selves complement each other. In the glass, flavor conjures memory, and focusing on what memories are conjured help me describe evocative aromas, tastes, and colors in fiction writing.

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

The solitude of the vineyard at night helped pull me out of the world and into my own space of contemplation. Of course, few things are more inspiring than watching the sun set on a hillside and the grapevines change color below...and having your laptop right at your fingertips to capture the visuals. Plus, wineries are part of the hospitality industry, so that feeling of being welcome and wanted helped me relax into my work.

What did you work on during the retreat?

I worked on the second book in my post-apocalyptic romance series, titled Natural Disasters. I’ll be sending the first book out to agents for consideration soon, and it’s helpful to have made a good start on the next book when you’re aiming to sell a series, as I am.

What other activities did you do during the retreat—any napping, hiking, or exploring the local area?

The pandemic drained a lot of my creative energy, because I no longer had my apartment to myself during the day. I write best when alone, in the quiet. I also over-committed myself to volunteer activities and was quite run down. So recharging through recreation was one of my main retreat goals! I scheduled myself a wine tasting every other day, and I also visited the local tourist sites, including a geyser, a petrified forest, an outdoor sculpture garden, and great food and drink gathering places in the local towns.

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

Because this fellowship took place during the pandemic’s second wave, there were no large events held. But I did get to say hello to a few groups of wine tasters!

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

Work on giving yourself permission to relax, so that your head and heart are clearer for writing. Research the local area and see if there’s anywhere you’d like to visit that’ll help stir your imagination.

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

Welcome with wine, rest and unwind—new worlds you’ll find.

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

 Moshin Vineyards’ suite is beautifully decorated and quite cozy. This is your chance to be nourished by their generosity; revel in it!