Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Workshopping

So, here I am in the hotel lobby, having a cup of coffee and writing a post before my class starts. The mountains sit blue in the distance, silent and patient, tolerating the foolishness of people scurrying around the plaza, trying to buy bits of the wonder of this place.

I feel blessed to be in the particular class I chose. The teacher is enthusiastic and has lots to give. The 11 other students include a professor of fiction from the University of Idaho, a writing professor from Colorado, a man who has completed three novels and is apparently a workshop junkie, another workshop junkie from Palm Springs, a lovely woman whose stories I can't wait to hear and who is looking for a writing community. One woman has not spoken yet beyond giving her name and home town. One older woman doesn't seem to understand the nature of time or that others might not be as fascinated with her opinion as she herself apparently is.

All in all, a fascinating group, one I'm anxious to learn more about and from.

At dinner the first night, each class group sat together. Our teacher introduced himself and handed out a piece for us to read. Later, he walked around with a cup filled with scraps of paper, each with a day of the week. We drew scraps for the order in which our stories would be considered. As I reached into the cup, my heart was pounding out a mantra--Not Monday, Not Monday, Not Monday.

Could I have drawn anything but Monday? Of course not. The Law of Attraction at work. It's probably a good thing, because going first allowed me the luxury of not going through the others, feeling worse by the moment. They're all MFA-type stories--obscure and meandering. So unlike my work. So unlike my background.

As it is, we considered my simple story first and I feel good about the suggestions people made and the feedback I got. Now I'm free to be a sponge in the midst of learned folk. It promises to be quite an experience.

And you can't beat the backdrop.

7 comments:

kario said...

Love that you were wishing so fervently to not be the first one and then it happened. How universal is that?

I also love the way you observe everyone around you. Hope you're having a terrific time and enjoying yourself.

Love.

Jess said...

I am so jealous! Wish I could be there with you. Maybe I can come next year. :) It sounds good, if a little scary. Good to go a bit beyond your comfort zone. And hey, you got your power boots.

Speaking of MFA-types, did you read my blog? ;)

Miss you.
J

Alijah Fitt said...

I have so much catching up to do. You are so brave.

Michelle O'Neil said...

They've got nothing on you Jerri.

Only one you.

hg said...

Ditto Michelle!

They have nothing on you!

Anonymous said...

Jerri, I'm so happy to hear it's going well. I'll be curious to hear about the quiet woman later! And Im cracking up about "not Monday." You drew just the slip you needed, yes?

You got past fear to fascination with this group. Congratulations! xo t

Amber said...

Jerri, this workshop sounds so amazing. I have to do it someday!! Maybe one where you will be, so I won't be skird. ;)

I am so happy things are settled down here, and I can catch up with you here. I missed you!

:)