Prepping for a Workshop: (Not So) Minor Characters

In going through some books the other day, I found one of my favorites from my undergrad days. It wasn't assigned in class. I found it through researching, following the paths of different writers during my crush on the Beats.

Joyce Johnson's Minor Characters

Joyce Johnson is in the background of the cover photograph, behind Kerouac. In her book she describes seeing the photograph, herself photoshopped out of it, used for a GAP ad. They just wanted Kerouac.

But I loved reading Johnson's account of her life as a writer during this time period, in many ways moreso than On the Road. 

At writing workshops you've got your main characters - the people whose names are on the website or flyer. The writer or team of writers who will lead the workshop. They are probably names you've heard of, writers whose every book you've bought within a week of its release, whose writing encourages and challenges you to be a better writer.

If you're accepted to a residential writing workshop like Clarion West, you'll probably start reading books by your workshop leaders as soon as you get the call.

But workshops are a labor of love, supported by communities of writers and artists, who believe so much in the power of words and the worth of writing that they donate their time and money and backyards (for parties) and cars (for driving you to parties) to making the workshop run smoothly. Their photographs don't appear on the main website for workshops, but their names aren't hidden away. Look for the board of directors, the contributors to the workshop newsletter, and the workshop administrators. They're writers, too. Excellent, amazing, award-winning authors that you'll mingle with at parties and dinners.

When I went to Clarion West in 2011, I took at least one book from each instructor with me. When I arrived at the workshop, I heard someone talking about writing poetry with Neile Graham. I had her book of poetry, Blood Memory, at home. I'd bought it years ago, because hers was one of the most highly recommended books of SF poetry. I hadn't made the connection between the writer whose poetry I'd admired and the person who had called me one evening in March, and told me in gentle, welcoming tones that I'd been accepted to Clarion West. I felt the sting of overlooking this fact when Neile wrote a poem for my class at the end of the workshop that was beautiful and true and the most wonderful gift.

These writers aren't minor characters, they're your mentors and future friends. The ones who will sit beside you and talk to you even when you're shy and terrified, whose books you should read. So do your homework before you pack your bags to that amazing workshop with Frightfully Famous Author. You'll be meeting many more writers, learning from them, and falling in love with their work.

2011 Westies Anthologized

My Clarion West classmates have had a pretty rockin year so far with stories in anthologies and collections. If you are looking for some good short stories to read, I highly recommend checking these out.

First up is S.L. Gilbow's new short story collection. I've been waiting for Gilbow to put out a collection of his own ever since I met him. His stories are amazing. They're the kind that pull you in so close that they silence a loud room, and grip you so tightly that you ache for days. Elegant with a feeling of the best classic science fiction, these are stories that you'll remember and want to share with others. There are five stories in this collection, each one beautifully crafted. I hope one day there's a print edition, so that I can add Gilbow to my shelves with my other favorite authors. You can get your copy here.

Next up is an anthology with two of my classmates' stories: Corinne Duyvis' Week 6 story at Clarion West, "The Applause of Others," and "Fisheye" by Maria Romasco-Moore. Corinne's story is set in Amsterdam, full of lovely city details. If you haven't read a story by Maria Romasco-Moore yet, you are missing out on some of the most beautiful and delightfully, wittily weird writing. In addition to Corinne and Maria's stories, the line up is stellar. Check out the Table of Contents and then maybe get a copy. 

Jei D. Marcade's story "Superhero Girl" is out in bookstores (like Barnes & Noble and such) in the anthology Super Heroes. Read this cool interview with Jei about the story that was originally published in Fantasy Magazine and learn the word for the storytelling technique you've probably been trying to pull off for years. Jei uses it seamlessly in this story. It is, in my mind, the textbook example (in addition to just being an all-around amazing story.) Go Jei! 

Alisa Alering was a winner of the Writers of the Future Contest this year. Her story "Everything You Have Seen" is in the newest compilation (Volume 29), out everywhere! This is a gorgeous, haunting story told in the lyric-crisp language that I love in all of Alisa's stories. At the awards ceremony, dancers interpreted the story, in what I think was the best performance of the evening. Read her awesome story, then head over to her blog where she's recounting the WOTF winner experience. 

The rest of my Westie friends are doing amazing things - managing magazines, starting novels, finishing novels, publishing short stories in magazines all over the place. I'll do another check-in soon with some cool story pubs in journals and magazines. Go CAAMF! :)