tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post6143476301868545118..comments2024-03-29T01:17:04.775-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Seascape Writing Retreat: What We've Learned from TeachingJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18846167641951635202012-03-28T19:30:27.605-04:002012-03-28T19:30:27.605-04:00Edith, congratulations to you - Barbara and Liz, a...Edith, congratulations to you - Barbara and Liz, as well!<br /><br />Hallie, This sounds wonderful. I've never been on a retreat, myself. I did go to music school one summer but was too excited having fun with other teens to actually learn anything except the being a teenager stuff. Was fun.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45268078745361538062012-03-28T17:59:28.057-04:002012-03-28T17:59:28.057-04:00Questions R Us! Definitely, Rhonda!
Transformatio...Questions R Us! Definitely, Rhonda!<br /><br />Transformational! That's indeed something to shoot for.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-74586528124806930062012-03-28T16:55:48.977-04:002012-03-28T16:55:48.977-04:00I've been to a couple of retreat/workshops and...I've been to a couple of retreat/workshops and found them, at the risk of sounding all "airy-fairy," transformational. At least, "transformation" as far as my writing is concerned. <br /><br />One was a retreat that Charter Oak Romance held with Mary Buckham. Mary sat down with me and bounced around ideas with me on which of the dozen or so opening scenes I'd written would be The One. <br /><br />(Mary, if you're reading this - thank you. People seem to like it. :) )<br /> <br />Anyway, I'm looking forward to and have registered for "Woodscape" after KB, my Crime Bake roommate, talked it up so. <br /><br />I probably should start a list of questions to ask while we're there?Rhonda Lanehttp://rhondalane.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26589494497467409642012-03-28T13:58:46.361-04:002012-03-28T13:58:46.361-04:00Hi Hallie,
I call mine the CUT file. It does mak...Hi Hallie, <br /><br />I call mine the CUT file. It does make it easier to slash and burn, knowing that the words I slaaaved over :-) still live in a document somewhere. <br /><br />I love reading about other writers' processes. It's so heartening! (Especially that your OUT files have been longer than your drafts. Wow.)Lisa Alberhttp://www.lisaalber.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53959836514043846702012-03-28T13:06:04.691-04:002012-03-28T13:06:04.691-04:00Ah, yes, the what happens NEXT problem. That's...Ah, yes, the what happens NEXT problem. That's my definition of writer's block. And the answer is just plow ahead. <br /><br />I keep an OUT file where I save every single thing I cut from a manuscript in process. The manuscript I'm finishing is 309 pages, about. Its OUT file? 105 pages. And I've written books where the OUT file is longer than the manuscript itself.<br /><br />BE FEARLESS! But don't be afraid to SLASH AND BURN.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40278080257585610112012-03-28T12:59:39.170-04:002012-03-28T12:59:39.170-04:00Deb, I'm at that point with a first draft -- s...Deb, I'm at that point with a first draft -- stymied by the WHAT NEXT! My problem is that I don't have enough faith in my process to know that I will eventually get through to the end. That might be because I don't have a set process for writing moments like this. Knowing that you also go through stymied periods fills me with hope. C'est possible!Lisa Alberhttp://www.lisaalber.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71942713792271315182012-03-28T12:01:46.493-04:002012-03-28T12:01:46.493-04:00This sounds like such fun! And congrats to Edith,...This sounds like such fun! And congrats to Edith, Barb, and Liz!<br /><br />I love Edith's question, "How do I get my arms around the whole story?" It always happens to me. I think I have the book all planned, all under control, then suddenly (usually when I've worked through all the set-up chapters and laid out the major investigation) when I realize that even though I know who, how, when, and why, I have no idea what happens NEXT! Then it's back to the drawing board: blocking out all the story lines, then feeding that into a chapter/scene outline all the way to the END of the book.<br /><br />Just because I know the process works doesn't make it any less frustrating...Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519514786198185277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46018524191038634502012-03-28T11:53:09.269-04:002012-03-28T11:53:09.269-04:00Right now I wish I didn't live on the west coa...Right now I wish I didn't live on the west coast! That sounds like a great weekend. :-(<br /><br />I've had the pleasure of working with Elizabeth George in three workshop settings. That woman is a fabulous teacher. One time she sat down with me 1 on 1 after a session and showed me what she meant by "orienting the reader." She took a pen to my pages, and with quick edits, she blew my mind away. It was so basic. Sometimes the best lessons are the basic ones.<br /><br />In another workshop, I was trying my hand at omniscient for the first time, and Elizabeth explained everything I was doing wrong. Huge click! I finally got it about omniscient voice. Now, I can spot novels in which the author thought she had omniscient, when what she really had was muddled, shifting close-in thirds.Lisa Alberhttp://www.lisaalber.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4920780070761480632012-03-28T11:17:55.226-04:002012-03-28T11:17:55.226-04:00Last year's Seascape was the highlight of my y...Last year's Seascape was the highlight of my year. I loved it and it was so helpful with my writing. My only wish is that I could be back again this year. I'm hoping I'll be able to return next year.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53540226348494795182012-03-28T10:23:47.528-04:002012-03-28T10:23:47.528-04:00Congrats to all your alums!
Interesting sidenote...Congrats to all your alums! <br /><br />Interesting sidenote: Yes, it is easy to see flaws in others, but I find that seeing those flaws in others sometimes helps not just their light bulb, but my own light bulb go off. <br /><br />So critiquing someone else's work isn't an entirely selfless. There are benefits!Jan Broganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11323983086318138814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18841323778578386462012-03-28T10:00:41.850-04:002012-03-28T10:00:41.850-04:00If I write another book on writing, it's going...If I write another book on writing, it's going to be called "Just Hold Your Nose and Write." I really do believe it. As long as you later on let go, smell the roses and not-so-roses and REwrite.<br /><br />Sadly "Seascape" lost our oceanside venue (the house is closed for renovations) so we should probably rename it Woodscape since we're not out in the woods.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91008973019647639522012-03-28T09:31:09.119-04:002012-03-28T09:31:09.119-04:00I'll happily give a testimonial on behalf of t...I'll happily give a testimonial on behalf of this excellent weekend. Just the experience of immersing yourself for three days with other writers is terrific. As Barb pointed out, the pre-retreat work gives you a head start and an introduction to your fellow writers and their work. The guided sessions gives you a chance to hear how others perceive what you're trying to write. <br /><br />Plus, you meet wonderful people, both teachers and students. Thanks to the Interwebz, you can stay connected!Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91523730560988312952012-03-28T09:28:09.365-04:002012-03-28T09:28:09.365-04:00@Darlene, the book I worked on at Seascape is call...@Darlene, the book I worked on at Seascape is called Speaking of Murder and features Quaker Linguistics professor Lauren Rousseau. Looks like it might finally get published this year or next (stay tuned for THAT news).<br /><br />The three-book contract I landed with Kensington Publishing is for the Local Foods Mysteries, and Book One is tentatively titled A Tine to Live, a Tine to Die. Organic farmer Cam Flaherty finds her recently fired farmworker dead in her greenhouse, and we go from there. <br />www.edithmaxwell.com has more details about both series. Thanks for asking!Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-28341055558819021062012-03-28T09:19:17.029-04:002012-03-28T09:19:17.029-04:00I am a huge proponent of Seascape. As Lucy says, y...I am a huge proponent of Seascape. As Lucy says, you do a lot of work ahead of time, which enables you to gain the maximum from every minute of the workshop. It's the gift you give yourself to spend a weekend totally focused on your writing.<br /><br />I also met so many wonderful writers there, many of whom are still such an important part of my "writing community." <br /><br />Thanks for the shout out, ladies! I'm very excited about the new series, and it's especially cool to be sharing this time with Edith and Liz.Barb Rosshttp://www.barabaraannross.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11696474747962898542012-03-28T09:19:10.827-04:002012-03-28T09:19:10.827-04:00Would love to attend. Sounds amazing.Would love to attend. Sounds amazing.Stacy Allennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-29479012180213870632012-03-28T09:01:36.388-04:002012-03-28T09:01:36.388-04:00Oh, Hallie, this sounds heavenly! I envy all your ...Oh, Hallie, this sounds heavenly! I envy all your participants. The ocean and wonderful teachers and talented students--and wine!<br /><br />I love your question, Edith. That's always the big one for me with each book. Congratulations to you and Barbara and Liz on your contracts! That's exciting!!Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71975768913294827382012-03-28T08:58:37.506-04:002012-03-28T08:58:37.506-04:00"Just hold your nose and write." That..."Just hold your nose and write." That's wonderful advice.<br /><br />Edith, could I have a hint about what your book's about?Sofie Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16830230500527705589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-59542933793689819392012-03-28T08:06:26.304-04:002012-03-28T08:06:26.304-04:00"How do I get my arms around the whole story?..."How do I get my arms around the whole story?" It's such a great question, and Edith had the sense to ask it. I still struggle with that as I'm writing. Where are these characters going, and why are they doing all this stuff. Each word and page may be lovely, but there's got to be a point to it. Scary.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50167686470040256242012-03-28T06:43:29.694-04:002012-03-28T06:43:29.694-04:00Wow, that's fun, to see my picture right there...Wow, that's fun, to see my picture right there on my favorite blog! And that of my buddies Barb and Liz. Thanks, Hallie.<br /><br />Seascape made a huge difference in my writing process. What a weekend it was: meeting in our small groups, studying with our teachers, cementing friendships with fellow writers, and yes, drinking wine at night. I even snuck in a swim in the Sound with Christine from Australia. <br /><br />It was particularly helpful to meet one-on-one with each teacher. I asked them each the same question: how do I get my arms around the whole story? (I was about 2/3 through writing the first draft at the time and was having trouble keeping it all in view.) I got a different, useful suggestion from each and it enabled me to go forward.Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.com