And the Magic 8 Ball says–
–nothing until May 10, 2013.
Just sent off my application for the Squaw Valley Writers Workshop in Fiction. Ironically, the short story I submitted is called “Abandon Hope,” something I refuse to do when it comes to writing.
Poets and screenwriters can also apply for workshops in their respective genres. Polymaths–oh, go ahead and apply to all three. For those of you still sitting on the fence,
the deadline for applications has been extended to April 5. That means they have to ARRIVE by April 5, not be postmarked by that date. So get crackin’!!
This year, as usual, a stellar faculty awaits your manuscript, chafing to work their fingers into its crevices and your sinews. Consider it a literary deep tissue massage equivalent to Rolfing. You and your words will come out the other side changed for the better, although you may feel you’ve walked through the Squaw Valley of Death to get there. But never fear, you’ll never walk alone. 😮
Seriously, you’ll be glad you did.
Now, I’m off to spend some quality time with my son in the heartland for spring break. I hear it just snowed there, so this San Franciscan is packing heavy.
Jilanne Hoffmann 
I’ve tried fiction a couple of times, but I just can’t wrap my pen around it. I spent years thinking that made me a terrible writer. Once in a while, I’d pick up my pen and try again, only to find I’d birthed characters in which I couldn’t believe, and shallow plot lines canned from some episode of a serial-TV show, loosely imbedded in my subconscious. It was never real. I now realize I can be a real writer and do just what I do. And have fun. But I do respect the art of fiction–when I read a piece that strikes my soul, it really, really strikes my soul. I hope the process of editing and improvement isn’t too painful!
Nothing that a margarita won’t cure. Or a glass or two of a nice pinot.
Your groove is essay. I think you do that very well, indeed. Thinking you should send some of your best ones off and see what happens.
To? Actually, I’d love to discuss this. You probably have a much wider outlook on this than me…
In regard to your submission, my 8 Ball tells me “All Signs Point To YES.”
Good luck, my friend!
Thanks, Mike!
A change is as good as a rest, eh? Well it sounds like you’re going to be busy, but I’m sure it will be with all sorts of wonderful things! Enjoy spending time with your boy and enjoy the writing! 🙂 Will look forward to hearing all about it soon.
Now that’s an interesting way to look at life, change as a rest. I like it! Will keep you posted. In the meantime, get to work on your own projects!
Lol, will do! 🙂
Ha! My first thought is you are skiing for Easter weekend!
I heard about the Squaw Valley Writer’s Workshop for the first time just a couple days ago. Good luck to you!
Ha! I’m in Tremont, IL with my son, visiting all the relatives for Easter. It snowed 6-9 inches here a few days ago, but it is all gone now. We will be hiding Easter eggs outside in the “yard,” otherwise known as the back 40. Takes the morning to hide the eggs and about 2 hours to find them–well, all but one, of course.
Thanks for sending me some luck. Hope the magic 8 ball floats in my favor! Are you applying to Squaw? 😮
Squaw will be lucky to have you and I hope they know it! Abandon Hope is a good story. We critiqued it a while back over at the Dogpatch:
http://dogpatchwriterscollective.com/2012/10/24/group-writing-critique-abandon-hope-by-jilanne-hoffmann/
Thanks, Laurel. You guys are the best! After your critique, the story shed a few pounds, namely the last 3-4 pages and another 3-4 pages in the middle. We’ll see if it’s tight enough. You’ll be the first to know.
I’m way late to this comments thread party, but just two things: One, you like margaritas, which means you are an incredible person Two, I’m eager to see Abandon Hope after looking at the dog patch commentary, and especially after our own brief exchange about Dante not long ago.
Btw: I like your comment about not giving up on writing, Jilanne. Sometimes I really need that reminder, especially when the rest of life is trying to make you give it up. Really great. thanks for that.
I LOVE margaritas! Gotta use quality tequila, real lime and lemon, Grand Marnier/Cointreau; pour on the rocks and definitely salt the rim.
Stay tuned for a look at Abandon Hope. I’m wondering if I should have done more to it before sending it off, but I ran out of time. Now that I’m back from break, I’ll be reading it again with an eye toward making it tighter still. May be sending it to you for a fresh read. Stay tuned…
As far as writing and tossing in the towel are concerned–John Paul Jones said it best:
“I have not yet begun to fight (write)!!!”
Keep calm and carry on.
Good luck with your submission. Does it have to be selected to attend the workshop or can anyone go?
Thanks!
It has to be selected, so I won’t know until May 10.
Tomorrow is May 10. Waiting for an update!!
Just took care of that….:o))))
Good luck. That sounds like fun. I thought at first there was only one Squaw Valley and I got really excited because we live just a few miles from there. But there are two of them, and you are going to the one that is not close to me. Have a great time, and teach us what you learn through blogging about it! 🙂
I’m sorry it’s far away from you. But I plan to write at least one post about my experience. So stay tuned….
I’ll be doing just that. It’s too late to register anyway. Maybe next year! 🙂