If you celebrate these winter holidays, I hope you've had a good one. My departure was delayed by a day due to a flare-up of Bear's chronic megacolon, which necessitated an overnight stay at the vet, and by my own nasty little cold. But once I was well enough to drive and Bear was home and comfortable, I was able to spend several nice, laid-back days at my mom's. Ran into some serious pea-soup fog on the drive home last night -- about an hour and a half of driving in what was probably less than 1/8 mile visibility, ugh -- but other than that my travels were uneventful. Still have the cold. I think it likes me.
Couple of rejection notes in the past week or so; I guess some editors were indeed cleaning off their desks for the holidays. Good! I can get the poems shipped off somewhere else. I don't really make New Year's resolutions, but I do want to be more diligent about sending poems out next year.
Starting to think about summer plans. I got my early-registration info from the Fine Arts Work Center today. Since my car and my roof are both on their last legs, I may have to refrain from splurging on a workshop this year -- though I would love to take Marie Howe's. If you are looking for a summer workshop, and if you can afford the cost, this is really a terrific program (I know I've said that here before, but it bears repeating). I've taken three workshops there, which have ranged from life-changing to very very good. I'm definitely a better poet because of what I've learned out there, and Provincetown is a most excellent place for a vacation, to boot.
I may think about doing the Indiana U. Writers' Conference this summer instead, since I wouldn't have to spring for transportation or housing. Anyone know anything about how Jean Valentine is as a teacher? Or Reginald Shepherd? If so, comment here, or backchannel me if you prefer not to comment publicly....
7 comments:
I actually heard Jean was a very good teacher though I can't remember where. I am thinking about going to Providence this summer, what do you recommend?
I looked at Howe's class last year but I heard from someone else that she wasn't that strong of teacher---which makes or breaks the workshop for me.
T: Provincetown! Not Providence. OK, they're only three hours apart, but it's a world of difference. *grin*
Carl Phillips is teaching a revision workshop again, July 13-18 -- that's what I took last year and he is a terrific teacher. Maxine Kumin is teaching in June, and I've heard good things about her. Alan Shapiro, Major Jackson, and Marie Ponsot are others I think I've heard good things about.
Someone in my workshop last year had taken a class with Marie Howe & said she thought Howe would be a very good fit for me.
They should have the full schedule up on their website by the end of January...
True story: In college I drove from Maine to New York City and got lost in Providence, which by the way is NOT on the way;)
I want to know which was the life changing one….I need a life changing one.
I am also tempted to go off into the woods and just write.
I hear ya, Anne. I got a rejection today and I'v had a cold for three or four days that I just can't seem to shake. Hope you're feeling better soon.
T: The best FAWC workshop for me was the first one I took with D.A. Powell (who's apparently not on the schedule for this coming year). But I can't imagine going into a workshop needing it to be life-changing! I always figure I'll be happy if it's a pleasant week, with a minimum of workshop drama, and I get one or two poems out of it. Anything else always feels like gravy. :)
Collin: Hope you feel better soon! I've had my cold for a week and a half now, and it's starting to get better. Drink lots of OJ -- or, as someone I know suggested, whiskey and lemonade. (That sounds kind of disgusting to me, but hey, whatever works, huh?)
happy 2008 anne! may we meet!
MM: Same to you! And yes, let's make that happen this year. Sooner rather than later. :)
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