Mid-passage thoughts from a writers' conference

Eckerd College sailing dinghies ghosting home

Words, words and more words.  I am drowning in words.

It is 1:45 a.m. and I'd just finished editing the two pieces for tomorrow's workshop when I remembered I am supposed to post a blog.

Oh s&$%t.  More words.

It's tough being a student again here at Eckerd College's Writers in Paradise.  But this is what I wanted, what I asked for, and I am reveling in the experience – I think.  Is that the right word?  I need a GPS to find the right word these days.

This is a week-long conference and every day we have three hours of lecture and three hours of workshop.  We are 11 in my group and we are workshopping the Middle of the Novel.  We all submitted a 5 page single-spaced synopsis and 25 manuscript pages, so we must read and critique 60 pages per day.  Today was my day in the hot seat.  My marked-up manuscripts are delicious delectables that I'll savor slowly when I get home — because I don't have time to look at them now.  I have to read every night to prep for the next day.

Words, words, words.  I'm in the doldrums at the moment.  Surrounded by words, words, everywhere and not a drop to drink.

From my notes . . .

Dennis Lehane — In terms of the characters in a novel — getting what one wants is part of the journey, but getting what one needs is the journey.  Once you've told the story, get off the page.  Context and specificity are everything.

Laura Lippman showed how she uses different color cards to show the different points of view in a novel and she needs to see what her book looks like.

Sterling Watson — A good writer controls the reader's expectations so that the payoff is something better than what the reader expected.

Michael Koyta — Suspense = an emotional state, i.e. anxiety, a feeling of uncertainty about what will happen next.  If your readers don't feel an emotional investment, you don't stand a chance.  Caring can't be faked.

Quote from Alfred Hitchcock, "There is no terror in the bang, only in the expectation of it."

I learn as much about my own work from the experience of critiquing the work of others.  We all make the same mistakes.  Once I see it in their books, I'm better able to fix it in mine.  I'm sharpening my machete and when I go home, I'm going to become Jane of the Jungle and go in and start cutting.  My book has become overgrown.  I need to let in a little light.

Tomorrow is the publishing panel.  We'll see what they say.  I'm waiting for the end to make up my mind as to whether I seek print or go directly to ebook.  I'm still on the bubble on that one.

I'll keep you posted.

Fair winds,

Christine

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