Writer-in-Residence: Whidbey Island

Today I am surrounded by the concrete, iron, and industry of Detroit. In what seems like worlds away, a mild wonderland of nature, bald eagles, and misty morning sunrises was my reality a little more than a week ago.

As guest faculty of the MFA residency for Northwest Institute of Literary Arts, I was spoiled. Yes, the students and faculty were a joy. Yes, the atmosphere of the residency was inspiring for my creative senses. But, oh, how I enjoyed those early morning and late evening strolls. The peace. The quiet. The mental space to create.

It may have been the too-good-to-be-true environment that inspired me to write while multi-tasking my stay, but it was definitely the students who motivated me. In hearing their own personal stories, in sharing meals and laughter-filled conversation, the MFA students at NILA are an incredible bunch. This was made evident by the wonderful student readings offered on two of the four nights during my stay. Hearing them share fiction, poetry, and personal essays was the highlight of the week.

I couldn’t possibly name everyone, for all were a treat to meet, but I must say it was a pleasure to make acquaintance with Charlotte, a fellow Canuck. Kobbie’s voice as she read – and indeed as she spoke – made it known she definitely has a long life of readings ahead of her. And it wasn’t just the students who delivered powerful readings.

I was madly entertained by children’s authors Bonny Becker and George Shannon, and equally impressed with Melissa Hart, author of the memoir Gringa: A Contradictory Girlhood. (By the way, if you haven’t already done so, please visit Melissa’s website and watch her very funny book trailer!) Overall, the entire faculty was incredible, warm, inviting, and a great deal of fun. Larry, Kathleen, and Carmen… I hope to spend time with you in the hallway lounge again sometime.

For the residency, I presented two workshops on the topic of Literary Citizenship. I plan on sharing some key points of these discussions soon. I am ever so grateful for the open minds and friendly faces that sat in on these workshops. It truly was a delightful bunch!

While in the company of many other talented guest presenters, I took advantage of workshops provided by Melissa Hart, Kelli Russell Agodon, and George Shannon. The interesting thing was I didn’t plan on writing much during my stay at the residency, figuring I’d be too busy with the schedule. As it turns out, I was very, very wrong. This was a very productive week for creative works and I was pleased to come home with a notebook full of ideas.

But… that’s the thing about a place like Whidbey Island. With just the right setting and the right kind of people by your side, the mind has a way of letting loose for long enough to let the imagination roam free.

If you’re in the area – or close enough to visit – there are some upcoming writing workshops hosted by Whidbey Island Writers Association. I definitely recommend attending a full-day workshop to see for yourself how top-notch the people, the program, and the atmosphere is. Visit the WIWA website for more info.

Lastly, I must extend a big thanks to Wayne Ude, Director of the MFA program, for inviting me to join in on this incredible week of activities. Thank you, Wayne, for your hospitality and conversation, and for introducing me to a fine group of very talented writers. It was certainly my pleasure.

Want to see more of Whidbey Island? Have a look at the post below to see some pics!

photos from Whidbey Island

The Captain Whidbey Inn, home to students and faculty of the NILA MFA residency.

The Inn was established in 1907 and is situated in the heart of Ebey's Landing National Historic Reserve.

I couldn't get enough of these gorgeous, towering trees.

A lakefront view where writing and inspiration begin...

One of the many student readings during the residency.

On my last morning on Whidbey Island, the morning was fresh and invigorating (but not cold!).

Just a few of the many wonderful students and faculty at NILA.

Whidbey Island Writers Workshops

This year, instead of hosting a conference, WIWA is offering a series of one-day workshops from January 16 to June 5. With seven workshops to choose from, there’s a little something for everyone.

As part of this series, I’m pleased to be leading a workshop on Saturday, January 16 from 10am-4pm, at the Coupeville Methodist Church in Coupeville WA. My workshop, “Writing Your Way: Your Path to Publication,” is a great introductory course for emerging authors.

Want to know more? This is the workshop description:

Writing Your Way: Your Path to Publication
What does it mean to be a writer? Why do we write? How do we find an audience for our work? From blank page to publication, this one-day workshop will help you set and reach your writing goals whether you write fiction, poetry, or non-fiction. Discussions and exercises will help you develop your voice, find an audience, and promote your work. We'll also talk about finding inspiration and how to get past the inevitable blank page. In addition to a notebook, participants are encouraged to bring samples of their writing, a query letter, a synopsis and/or proposal.

WIWA workshops are limited to 20 participants, so if you’re interested in participating be sure to visit the website for details. Registration closes next Thursday. Feel free to email me if you have any questions specific to my workshop.

I encourage you to check out the other great workshops WILA is offering this season. Visit www.writeonwhidbey.com/Conference/index.html for more information.

Whidbey Island Writers Association is also fundraising for next year’s $90,000 writing conference. If you’d like to help support this wonderful organization, visit this link for more info.

revved up: racing past rejection

Last month, Dear Spouse took me to a local track as part of my birthday treat (he’s a ‘special’ kind of romantic, but at least he remembers the date). I’ll admit, I am not what most would consider a fan, but I don’t dislike it either. I’ll also admit that watching a race in person is a whole other experience compared to the televised snippets played in the background on a Sunday afternoon. In person, the adrenaline can’t help but spike.

Since I take my camera practically everywhere, of course I took photos of the races. Chance timing allowed me to capture this crash.

Why, though, would I possibly find it interesting to talk about a car race on a blog about writing?

It made me think about how writers can be hard on themselves. Prior to being published, an emerging author will get their hopes high, only to feel so low when a rejection comes back. There’s this constant up-down emotional ride that, honestly, doesn’t end once a publishing contract is signed. Since writers are always putting themselves out there, the ups and downs will always follow.

Then, the published writer can be particularly hard on him or herself, once the first contract is signed, as he or she wonders if a second contract will ever happen. She wonders if she’s a one-book-wonder or if readers hated the first book so much it doesn’t matter if a second book will come along since no one will read it anyway. Or, even if these self-doubts don’t come into play, a reviewer will doubt the writer on her behalf, or the editor will question why a contract was accepted, or… any number of imperfect things will happen.

With so many obstacles in the publishing world, with so many ups and downs, it’s a wonder any writer makes it through a day without giving up. Writers are terrible self-critics. Which brings me back to this car crash…

Is a racecar driver only successful when staying on course? Are crashes not inevitable? Are they not expected? Whether a local racer on a small course or a pro at the Indy 500, accidents happen. Drivers go off-course. So do writers.

Racecar drivers know accidents happen but they generally get back on course and finish what they started. So does a professional writer. Whether it’s ignoring a form rejection, or soaking in the advice of a personal rejection, it’s up to the writer to get back on course.

When it comes to writing as a career, an author must always keep the end goal in sight. We can’t let the little spinouts or literary fender-benders slow us down. There will always be downs, but with those come the ups that make it all worthwhile.

There’s no such thing as a perfect race when it comes to writing. The finish line always changes; there is always a new goal to reach. It’s not about coming in first. It’s about getting back on course when we stray off path and not letting a bump on the road completely derail us (oops, mixing metaphors!).

Like racers, a writer needs a good support team. Maybe that includes a spouse and some friends or maybe that includes a critique group or workshop retreat. Use your team to help keep you on track and guide you along your course.

Speaking of support, I was just asked to join this year’s Critique Mania, hosted by Whidbey Island Writers Association. For $25, emerging writers can submit a poem or three pages of prose to be personally critiqued by one of the many wonderful authors who have volunteered their time to support this fundraiser for Soundings Review, the Whidbey Island Writers Association magazine. Not only is this a great way to support a top-notch literary community, it’s also a fantastic way for an author to get detailed feedback on a work-in-progress. Details about the 2009 Critique Mania will be updated on the Whidbey website very soon, so I hope you’ll check it out.

Remember, a writer is not unlike a racecar driver. There are bound to be hits and misses and it’s inevitable that a crash will happen to even the most experienced writer. But by keeping focused, dismissing the negatives, and working with the positives, a writer can learn to tame the self-doubts and cross that finishing line each and every time.

What stumbling blocks have you had to overcome in your career? How have you moved past rejection and kept up your momentum? Please feel free to share your own experiences here. We’ve all been there and most of us will be there again. After all, it’s simply a part of being in the race. The important thing is, is that you’re still in it.