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16 july 2002

fiction, then truth

Alright, where have I been and what have I done?

So a couple of weeks ago, I went to the Wildacres Writers' Workshop, up near Little Switzerland, North Carolina. I hadn't been for awhile, so coming back up the mountain was a good moment. It was as if not much time had passed. I felt very much at home, and very much alive. The air was clear and reasonably cool all week--a blessing, considering that Winston-Salem had highs nearing 100 degrees.

This year, for the first time, I was in a novel-writing workshop. Having attended with poetry manuscripts for so long, it was a good change, though something of an adjustment. I've never really studied the writing or structure of fiction, so I was all ears as Luke guided us through some fundamental discussions: POV, story structure, and narrative type. I learned about what my developing novel is, is not, and can be with some more work. Much to my surprise, and delight, this thing can be even more than I'd expected.

Even better, my workshop group was very generous with their critiquing. With everyone's manuscripts, we discussed what works, what doesn't, and then shared concrete ideas on how to make our selections more effective. So now I've got this pile of my own manuscripts with copious notes from classmates, and Luke. For those of you who aren't writers, lemme tell you that this is the kind of writer's workshop you want to attend. Far from being a mutual admiration society or social club, 'Achers take their critiquing seriously. Like, stuff that gets reviewed there gets published. You dig? I'll take that over gratuitous pats on the back any day.

My back is all goobed up, but I don't think it's anything to worry about. Shoveled down a bunch of Tylenol and ibuprofin and stayed still all day, might do the same for another day, and hope to be back to me in a few days. Between the activities of moving and riding on a jet-ski...let's just say I earned this one, eh? And don't touch my left side. When I get my strength back, I'll pop you good.