As karma would have it, the facilitator that I griped about in my last post, will be my mentor for the coming academic year. ☺ Oddly enough, I take this as a blessing. Though I may not have left that workshop feeling very good, I am able to recognize good advice and expertise when I see it. Aside from that news, it was a mellower day that left me time to walk and reflect. I did attend a class on storyboarding taught by Brent Spencer that left me with some practical tips for writing.
I also found out that though I go home Wednesday AM, I’m going home to an empty house. The good I can find in this ultimately sad fact (I miss my people) is that I plan to take advantage of this time to write and revise. This whole experience has been mind-blowing. I can’t really describe it, but you’ll see what I mean as I continue to post about this experience which will be ongoing until summer 2011. One more day here. Then I’ll be back to posting from daily life.
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Some past posts to keep you making time:
Adjust your pace accordingly.
It’s about the routine and how you shake up the routine
There are things you will have to give up
See it to achieve it
Washing the dishes
Write slowly
A celebration of the pause
Monday, a run through the driving rain
Zen accident
Get out of your comfort zone
L–
When we had our graduate thesis workshop, I also received “more information than I could possible handle.” I pretty much broke down. It was overwhelming–even the *good* feedback was overwhelming.
I have never really been a fan of the large workshop and I’m definitely not a fan of the mixed-genre workshop. I have said some stupid stuff in those workshops and have had stupid stuff said to me.
Just remember, we are all insecure solitary writers and in a room full of other writers we sometimes lose our way. Some of the best work is criticized quite terribly and we have to move past that (esp b/c I really don’t think you can take what is said in these workshops to heart, writers can funny in large groups, nervous and may just be so worried they’re making a good impression, have absolutely no idea what passes from their lips).
Anyway, I am SO interested in who your mentor is. Initials? MCB would be my guess.
I’m glad you made it through another residency. Wishing you continued good work.
be well.
Hi Liz–
I’m very excited for you (and little envious)– it sounds great.
I think critique groups in a class setting can have a lot of edge… it’s a mix of insecurity, ego, and actual insight. Hard to determine which is which until you achieve some distance.
I look forward to hearing about it.
Manek
kelli and manek,
Thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement. 🙂
I’m home today, but so exhausted from the whole experience, that it’s all I can do to drag myself from room to room, unpacking a few things here and there. Almost slept in ’til noon, and now it’s not quite ten and I’m ready for bed.