Updates

One of the huge advantages of the writers’ retreat at the Rainforest is the lack of wifi. Of course, that makes it impossible to tweet about how fantastic it is.

I drive down with two other writers and we use the 2-day drive as a coaching opportunity: each of us gets a half-day to focus entirely on our own work. The author describes the project she plans to work on at the retreat and describes problems she is facing. The other two ask clarifying questions and, if appropriate, brainstorm suggestions. The writerly conversation ranges wherever it will, but always circles back to the writer and her needs. There is no Clarion-style protocol wherein the author can’t respond: this is an open conversation, wherein the author takes notes, asks further questions, shares her “aha!”s and stimulates even more conversation. The coaching session is done when the author has no further questions, her head is full, or whatever. For one of us, that only took 20 minutes, and the coaches need to respect the fact that the author may NOT want too much brainstorming or discussion, depending on her creative style, the stage of the project, etc. Sometimes, talking too much about a project dissipates the desire to write. However, all three of our group found (1) unlocking for trouble spots, (2) inspiration, and (3) the settling of her headspace, ready to pour out words once we arrived at the retreat.

Awesome, eh?

Tuesday, I head to Lake Quinault on the Olympic Peninsula west of Seattle for the Rainforest Writers’ Village! Very excited. I have been to about 8-9 of the past 11 years the retreat has run, and this year, I will be one of the speakers! I’ll be talking about Backstory Secrets.

The Rainforest Writers’ Village is one place I have had some of the best writing instruction I have ever had, so I am really chuffed to have been invited to speak!

Had a great opportunity this week to get together with members of the Kensington Writers’ Group–an eclectic mix of poets, YA writers, and spec fic writers. Two of our members have had the experience (one, recent) of being a juror for the Canada Council, and it was interesting to see the process from their point of view. Very educational! Another of our members has just finished a memoir, and one, who has gone through more than one life-threatening event in the past couple of years is writing again. A thoroughly satisfying re-connection!

Oh, and forgot entirely to mention that I am teaching a 10-week Speculative Fiction Course for the Alexandra Center, as well. I have 10 enthusiastic writers, of whom three have taken courses with me before. There is some very good writing showing up on the table!

Had Day 1 of a 2-day course today on “Showing vs Telling” and it went really well. I had a full class–ten students–and they were enthusiastic participators in the discussion and writing. Love teaching at the Alexandra Writing Centre!