The two days critiquing novel excerpts with Rob was, as always, fantastic. We had some really good writers with projects that I am sure will develop into fascinating books. We all got together for a barbecue at Robin Herrington’s parents’ house on the Wednesday evening and chatted until well into dark. Here’s a photo of Rob working with Val and Randy at the workshop. 
Wedding, Critiques and 2 New Story Ideas
My nephew’s wedding was wonderful and it was great to visit relatives out east. Finished the eleven critiques for the workshop tomorrow, and 5 critiques for the short story contest. And, I jotted notes for a science fiction short story and began a fantasy short story. So, got lots done, too!
My Own Writers’ Retreat
My family has about 120 acres a couple of hours out of the city, and I managed to get up there for 5 days once school was out, and I got a ton of writing done. Yes, my daughter was there, but she had her friends and so there were almost no interruptions. While eating, I critiqued submissions for the summer workshop, and the rest of the time I wrote, taking a couple of hours to stretch my legs by trimming the hedge and mowing the lawn. Got all the revisions for one novel done, and began reviewing one I finished six months ago. The six month break was good: found some places to cut, so the other novel is tighter now.
In Touch With the Muse
Several years ago, I took a workshop session about brain development and there was a ton of good stuff in it, but one of the concepts had to do with stress: we all know that stress causes a bodily response (eg: increased levels of certain hormones) and excess stress can cause you not to think as clearly as you might otherwise because you are vigilantly scanning your environment. The joke goes, “If you thought you had a good idea at work you didn’t.” Because, of course, you are stressed just by being at work. Your best thinking is in the shower, on your bicycle, etc.
Last year, for my birthday, my husband got me a tiny voice recorder that I take with me wherever I go; and wherever and whenever the muse strikes me (well, maybe not in the shower), I can capture not only my ideas / words, but the passion in my voice. It has been invaluable in moving my plot forward. Also, when my crit group said, “what happened to Meg at the end of the book,” then when I got an idea about it (which actually solved 2 other problems as well), I was able to capture it.
Last weekend was awesome for completing revisions on the book; next weekend will be even better: all the ideas are there!
Susan
The Write-Off Was Great – As Always
So I am going to Rob Sawyer’s writing workshop this summer and we are studying long-form works. For that, I need to have chapter 1 and an outline. I wasn’t able to attend the whole write-off (from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM on Saturday I was at the Young Writers’ Conference, which was a lot of fun) but I went Friday night, Saturday after the conference and all day Sunday, and I pretty much have the first draft of the package. As it’s not due for a month, I should have time to revise it by then. Felt very productive.
And — Rob’s book launch for “Wake” is in Calgary on Tuesday, so a bunch of us will be there to listen to him read. Will be great!
Susan