writing workshop

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Day 205

I have been thinking about attending a writer’s workshop and honestly, I am struggling with whether or not to attend. All my close family members are very encouraging and supportive but I am not sure it is worth the cost. I am extremely interested in any input or feedback on your experiences with writing workshops.

This event is a small 8 person workshop being held at Edisto Beach, South Carolina. A house has been rented near the beach. The event spans four days and is from what I gather there will be time to get together for discussions twice and day during which there will be sharing and advice. The remaining time is set aside for writing. Now, writing at the beach sounds delightful to me, but I’m not sure of the value for the cost.

There is also a one day conference hosted by the North Carolina Writer’s Network in November. The cost is much more reasonable and the conference will be held closer to home. I would have the opportunity to select from multiple tracks and even attend Master Classes (which I may not be ready for) or submit an excerpt to a slush pile to be read and evaluated by editors. Some of this sounds frightening, but it is more geared toward lectures and possible feedback from well-established authors and editors.

Now, I know I am staring down my ego that is telling me I cannot do this. I know I need to take a leap, but I am struggling on which leap if I am only able to select one. I am not really looking for someone to answer that question for me, I know that is completely up to me. But since I am out of my element, I would love it if anyone had any experiences to share.

This is where my head is tonight and I think I’m going to go meditate for a bit and see if I can clear out a few cobwebs around this decision-making.

Tomorrow we drive up to Spruce Mountain, NC to attend Fire on the Mountain – a day of blacksmithing and forging demonstrations and education. It is an event we attend every year – it’s hubby’s thing, but I do love to snap pictures of the events and the drive is simply beautiful. We may have the opportunity to buy some ramps on the way home, too. Eggs and ramps Sunday morning! Here are a couple of pictures from last year:

Day 95

I am trying to get back to some semblance of a routine. I’m looking forward to the future and all the things I am excited about.

Moving Forward

We should be doing chores, but my mental capacity at this point is craving some soothing. Instead, I decided to blog early and then decide how I hope to spend the day.

Earlier today I signed up for an online book club. We live rather remotely and getting out to a book club meeting is not always feasible, especially if the weather is unpredictable. This book club meets online once a month and I think it would be a good way to read books that I may not otherwise choose for myself.

One of my co-bloggers mentioned a used bookstore in Asheville which I would love to go visit today if I can coax hubby into it. The atmosphere sounds peaceful and divine and the idea of perusing used books appeals to me today.

About My Writing

I am anxious to finish my online class with Margaret Atwood. I have learned a lot and have earmarked a couple of her books I want to read. I watched a lot of The Handmaid’s Tale but listening to her talk about her writing, I think I would like to read the book and see if I can pick up on the nuances.

I also found a three-day writer’s workshop to be held at a local college in July. It is intriguing but I wonder if I am ready to undertake such a thing. I might not hesitate except for the steep price for the three days. So, to you readers who are also writers yourself, drop me a comment and let me know your thoughts about writing workshops. I would love to read what you have to say.

Weather

This week should be rather cold here and there are early predictions of 3-5 inches of snow this weekend. It might be time to plan a few hearty warm soups and casseroles to go along with a few books on my reading list. I have selected the book I want to start reading tonight so I will be updating my Goodreads account later on this afternoon.

Moving on…

“Well, I always know what I want. And when you know what you want–you go toward it. Sometimes you go very fast, and sometimes only an inch a year. Perhaps you feel happier when you go fast. I don’t know. I’ve forgotten the difference long ago, because it really doesn’t matter, so long as you move.”
Ayn Rand