A Cup of Coffee and a Conversation on Sunday Wednesday!
The last few weeks have been full of travel and writing.
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE I WOULD TELL YOU:
I spent the last week in snowy Bayfield, WI at Wild Rice Retreat Center for a Pam Houston writing workshop. Chris and I went up on Sunday and spent 8.5 hour talking and laughing in the car. Then we spent 8.5 hours talking and laughing in the car on the way back on Friday!
A lot of what Pam shared in the sessions was not new but I seemed to hear it differently this past week than I have before. Sensory details were a big one. For me, I like to have the mentor text so I have a model of what I am supposed to be doing. That text to text connection ya know (Yes, dear, that was for you.) What I do know is my writing is changed forever. One of the things I noticed as I was reflecting in my writing about the retreat is I took a lot of what Pam said/does as permission slips for myself. For the first time, I feel like I used the workshop to enhance my own process, not feel like I had to burn anything to the ground.
The last week of my Intensive class was bittersweet. Our last meeting was full of heartfelt readings of work in their own voice. One writer shared poetry she had never shared with anyone outside of her inner family circle. we are meeting again soon but it will be in a much different context.
That same week, I was able to help a fellow writer submit some of her pieces. It inspired me to submit a couple of more pieces of my own.
This week is the Lit Cleveland Flash Fiction Fest and it has been amazing so far. Desiree Cooper did a revision workshop that was top notch and Aimee Bender’s session is tonight. The opening panel was full of tips and insights as well. I am also looking forward to Venita Blackburn’s session tomorrow.
I am reading Contents May Have Shifted by Pam and laugh outloud so many times. Chris made the comment that he has not seen me enjoy a book like that in a long time.
I continue to write Glimmers down.
I had a lot of rejections these past two weeks but I am excited to revise especially with the new skills from the retreat.
WHAT I’M UP TO THIS MONTH
Submitting pieces and manuscripts
Daily writing
Facilitating a book discussion of Natalie Goldberg’s Thunder and Lightning
Reading Contents May Have Shifted by Pam Houston plus 7 other books…
Hosting PUSH meetings every Monday.
Thinking about essays I want to write about guidelines/rules, how I am strong, and reflections on reading.
QUESTIONS
What word does no one use to describe you?
Want to read my writing? Click here!
As always, thank you for reading and joining me for a coffee chat. I hope to see you next time!