I am writing this from my laptop, which is tethered to my iPhone. I now have internet anywhere, which, I’m pretty sure, makes me some kind of Info God. Technology tickles me.
Clarion West week 6 went really well. I really got along with Rudy Rucker and his wife, who were both very sweet. Rucker is damn weird, but really fun. He took us all into the scary sorority shrine I mentioned earlier and made us chant writerly chants for about half an hour. If I can find it, I’ll try and post the chant at a later date. He really encouraged us to break free from our moulds. Rucker’s writing style is very different from anything you read out there, and you can tell he doesn’t adhere to convention. And it works for him. I’d recommend reading Postsingular to see what I mean (it was a quick read. Finished it in a couple of hours).
Rucker gave us a couple of pieces of advice from his own career. A) Start or (preferably join) a movement like Cyperpunk. It gets you media attention. B) Don’t be afraid to start your own ezine. That column is checked for me!
Graduation was awesome. Leslie and Neile really go all out. We got secret decoder rings with LEDs in them, but the battery was dead in mine. How fitting. There are no shortcuts for me.
Now I’m back in Vancouver trying to get all caught up, which is why I’ve been absent. Writers of the Future looms next week, so it’s literally out of the workshop frying pan and into the fire for me. It’s funny though, because they’ve set up a google group and are full of excitement and anticipation, the exact same way everyone was for Clarion West, except that there are still “missing you” messages coming through the CW group. I’m feeling like I can’t be chipper and anticipactory yet, because I’m still in missing CW mode. I don’t recommend doing these two workshops in one year.
UPDATE: This is the link to my writers of the future workshop blog/
8 Comments(+Add)
Hi Jordan, just a quick heads up to let you know I’m collecting Clarion blog posts here http://lizargall.com/2009/03/clarion-blogs/
Hurray for the Clarion experience!
Best
Liz
Good call, Liz! I’ve been threatening to do the same for quite some time now. I’m glad someone finally put one together!
Jordon,
Since you spoke so highly of Andrew, I would enjoy reading whatever you might have on him (even if it’s just a paragragh) or anything he might be willing to provide. I’m always on the lookout for anything that might give me an edge in my writing.
I submit to WOTF every quarter. I have my stories written through the last quarter of next year, so I’m a serious entrant and believer in WOTF. Though I’m not a message board fanatic, like some, and only post occassinaly.
You must be really stoked! You’re at the starting gate of where a writing career becomes a serious reality. All the hours of work, doubt, and dreaming have finally transformed into a material fact.
I have quite a few of the WOTF anthologies and will of course be purchasing this year’s volume when it’s published. I look forward to reading your story.
I just want to corroborate Jordan’s praise of Andy — he’s not exaggerating!
Corbin,
I’ve forwarded your request to Andy who should be getting back to you soon! WOTF is awesome. This is the contest to win!
Jordon,
I got an email from you but when I replied it didn’t go through. If there is an anwering post on here as regards to Andy Leblanc, guess I’ll need direction on how to find on your blog.
In in answer to your post: Yes I know WOTF is the contest to win. I have been entering every quarter now for about a year or so but no sucess other than five HM’s, last three were in a row. I didn’t wanna be, but am so envious of your win and what it will mean for your career. I wanna be at the workshop so bad, it just depresses me to see the pictures on the website and me not there.
\I’ve been writing for six and a half years now and only published once. Back in 2005. I am so ready to win WOTF. Writing and the contest are all I think about. I look forward to reading your notes and eventually your winning story.
Corbin,
first-biggest pet peeve: it’s spelled JordAn.
At this point, you might want to A) look into local writing groups with members who are more accomplished than you (not critters, or writing.com) or b) apply for a workshop like clarion west. Both worked for me!
Jordan,
Sorry about spelling your name wrong. I’ve got a ton things going on today and lost my attention to detail.
Anyway, I’ve done the local writing group thing, they just weren’t serious enough about writing. I already know about Critters.
Anyway, I guess I’ll just plod along they way I’ve been going. On my own, learning as I go from all the books I read and what lessons I can pick up from other writers.