Lots of small bits this time. Sorry if it seems scatter-brained, but this is my life right now. Kinda scattered.
First off, it’s fall. (Duh.) That means it’s getting closer to Open Season on Clarion, Clarion West and Odyssey Writing Workshop submissions. Are any of you applying this year? If you’ve already been to one, what advice would you give on applications? If you’re applying, to which one(s) and why? As for me, I’m applying to all three.
Next on my list (but first chronologically): NaNoWriMo is creeping closer by the minute. Like a zombie dragging itself from the grave, National Novel Writing Month resurrects itself each November with the attendant fear, anticipation and horror as participants try to write 50,000 words during November. (While that’s not an entire novel, it sure is a great start to one.) I’m crossing my fingers for those participating this year, but I’m not planning on joining in the fray until next year. Yes, yes, I know–I’m being a wimp. But I’m just not ready this year and I don’t want to give myself a great reason to fail right out of the chute. So, to next year I go. And this year, good luck to all who are participating! In the meantime, I have to prepare…
I’m also considering joining the Write-1, Sub-1 group next year. Anyone have any feedback on that? Did the sign-up and such provide motivation, or just humiliation?
The plot-less story that I mentioned in the last post has found a plot! Or the plot found it. Or, whatever. It will now work as a story, how’s that?!? In a burst of inspiration, I wrote a bunch on it earlier today, and will return to it later this evening. Yay!
Finally, walking yesterday got me a bonanza of wildlife. First came a young deer right off the trail as soon as I entered the woods, then three others a bit further in, none of whom felt inclined to move away. As you can see, all were young; probably yearlings just left by mamas gone off to woo and be wooed by the bucks. A bit after that, the real treasure: eight wild turkeys slipped through a dry wash, then glided across the river to the steeply wooded hillside, where they vanished once more. I got no photos of the turkeys. I was too enthralled. They are so canny, these birds, that I was amazed I was actually seeing them.
Well, my story may have found a plot, but obviously this post lost its plot in compensation. That said, I’ll just stop now before I wander any further. Thanks for reading!
Everyday Magic | M. E. Garber 
I may be biased, but I also highly recommend Viable Paradise. I made a guest post at Inkpunks.com back in January that details why, complete with silly illustrations 🙂 http://www.inkpunks.com/2012/01/20/guest-post-from-cory-skerry-viable-paradise/ (the prices there don’t make mention of the fact that you can share rooms quite easily–some even have separate doors for the bedrooms.)
Wow, great post. I especially loved your drool in the second comic. I’m concerned about VP for one reason: they state that ‘special diets’ are on their own. I am a celiac, which means I can’t eat wheat or its relatives, or anything containing traces of gluten, at all. So…I’ve regretfully cut VP off my list. Sigh.
I’d be happy to answer what questions I can about Odyssey. I’m sure the Clarions are the same way, but the amount of learning you’ll absorb at Odyssey and from Jeanne is overwhelming and writer-life changing.
I’d also be happy to take a look at your submission and point on the things that she might focus on if you like.
And maybe, we’ll meet in Toronto in a couple of weeks 🙂
Thanks. I was hoping to pick your brain a bit a WFC–is that considered ‘fair warning?’
Hi Brent! Sorry we didn’t meet in Toronto. I was late to the de Lint reading and couldn’t enter the room, just stood in the hall, then ran in to the vampire one on Saturday late after yakking too long elsewhere…. Please don’t hate me 🙂
Anyway, hope you had as much fun as I did there. I did see a number of folks wearing Odyssey t-shirts, and I’m sure some thought I was too strange as I stared at their name tags looking for you.
Sorry it didn’t work out. I actually ended up playing hookey all day on Saturday, a friend and I went downtown exploring the St. Lawrence market and the Royal Ontario Museum and lost track of time 🙂 I looked for you on Sunday, but there were a lot of women with short brown hair and cords. I was also getting some funny looks trying to stare at their nametags!
Had a great time at the conference, the panels that I went to were consistently enlightening and motivating, moreso than any conference I’ve been to in the past. And downtown Toronto was a wonder, what a vibrant city.
Anyways, I’m still happy to brain dump with you about Odyssey or take a look at your submission. If you want, you can email me at gnevic@hotmail.com