The Merry Month of March...Achooooo!

It's been a while, for which I apologize, even if I'm the only one reading this. Writing was difficult, even with the Challenge from Jungle Red, but I did manage to get a new story started and some edits done....and THEN I went to Portland. (After the sinus infection that laid me flat for a week) Catherine and I opted to forego Mardi Gras and head to a writing workshop, a Creative Renewal, I think it was called, sponsored by The Attic, a writers' group well-known in the Pacific Northwest. More literary than genre, and the main speaker/instructor is a poet, David Biespiel. Still, there is always something to be learned, and it was an interesting change from talking specifically about plot or agenting, etc. We actually spent most of our time talking about words, and how using a word as a springboard to other, more colorful, words and phrases is one way to improve writing, no matter whether you are a poet, biographer, or fictioneer. A lot of prompts were given, and then used to give more prompts, taking the original short piece in a different direction. Definitely forced my brain to work on the spur of the moment. We had time for writing in both morning and afternoon but the work was never really discussed other than as a "what did you work on?" before each workshop. Focus was definitely on the jogging of the mind to look in different places for descriptive words and new ways to use them.

Of course, the setting was ideal. We were lodged in a glorious 19th century hotel, The Balch, in the tiny town of Dufur Oregon, just 11 miles from The Dalles (and Big Jim's Burgers, which is another post altogether). The town rolled up its sidewalks at 6PM and the only place open after that was the bar down the street. Shared bath or private bath, three floors, most with beautiful views. Claw footed tubs, oak staircases (no elevator), and some of the best breakfasts I've had in a while. The hotel only houses 34, so we had the place to ourselves. Quiche and frittatas with cheeses and mushrooms and bacon and little bundt shaped muffins drizzled with caramel or lemon sauce. And coffee! Or tea. Lunch was catered in on Saturday, lovely roast beef sandwiches, more cheese and crackers....and the Friday night reception was indeed a fest of wine and cheese (all from Oregon). Plenty of nooks and crannies to settle in and write or dream or read.

Did I accomplish anything? Another beginning to a short story and some quality time with other writers. Always a good thing. However, the lovely month of March has given me a horrendous head cold...you know, the kind where the doctor says "Lots of liquid, plenty of rest, and it will go away in its own time." Crap. Hard to be creative when your brain is full of cotton. I have since signed up for the Midwest Writers Workshop in Muncie this July, so I can't rest too long. This workshop gave me some good tools last year, and hopefully will do so again this year. The faculty is always good and the other writers are from all walks of life...and genres. Now I'm going to take a nap...as soon as I find my kleenex.