February 24, 2005

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  I was actually clapping, on the freeway; clapping for myself I guess.  But you know how when you get really excited you just start clapping at the excitement of it all?

  
  

  I read tonight and I could hear, by the silence in the room, that I had them with me.  And I could even tell when I captured them.  We had gone into another room where they had three guest authors reading from their books.  The last guy who read is someone who teaches at Oregon State.  He read in an almost stilted fashion but it really drove it home.  He paused a lot giving the reader time to digest his words. 

  
  

  When we went back to our room and resumed the workshop it was my turn to read.  I mentioned, before I started, that I had been quite taken by the last author’s style, and that I was going to attempt to recreate that cadence. 

  
  

  When I got done the teacher said, “Nice read.”  And because I read a piece which focused on setting the language was fairly lyrical.  I was able to dress up my words with my voice so the end result was something I drove home feeling proud of.  How validating!

  
  

  I am learning so much.  Just being able to sit and make notes from people’s comments is worth the price of the class.  I’m going to sign up for the advanced class next term.  I’ve got a second book in the works now as a result of their encouragement, plus the one I want to write as soon as my kids are older. 

  
  

  You know what those writers said?  They were talking about their editors, how much they valued that relationship; so much that one guy left his big New York publisher to go to a small press in his home town.  All three appreciated the fact that those smaller presses would keep their books in print.  It would never be in hardback but the New York publishers won’t do that.  After that first run, it’s over if they’re not big sellers.  They said that the only work they’re interested in (New York) is a novel that can be made into a screen play, which will have a good sound track.

  
  

  All three said, for them it’s all about the language.  They will not compromise their work to be marketable. 

  
  

  They talked about contests and what a great vehicle they can be.  The woman, and I’m sorry I can’t remember her name, said she entered a contest, didn’t win, but had a publisher contact her and subsequently publish her book because he had seen her work in a trade journal as a result of the contest.

  
  

  There is so much to learn.  I’ve decided I’m going to start hanging out at Powells when they have people come to read.  I learn a lot about what works for me by hearing the words. 

  
  

  When asked what book we should read, if we had to pick where the writing was worth emulating, the teacher answered, “Lolita.”

  
  

   

  • 2:38 am
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