Writing Workshop

I spent a delightful week teaching a writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County. People attended from Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin, all interested in turning their memories into memoirs. Seventeen writers gathered each morning to write stories from such prompts as: “I wish someone had told me . . .” and “Ten things that annoy me. . .” They drew house plans for homes where they grew up, triggering memories of smells, sights, and sounds.

They listened to country music that told a story. They wrote about people who made a difference in their lives and turning points that sent in them in new directions. They discussed journaling and how to do research for their stories. They laughed; they hugged and sometimes there were tears as not all memories are pleasant ones. But at week’s end, in the midst of the hottest and most humid seven days that Door County remembered in some time, they wrote their stories—wonderful stories that came from the heart.


THE OLD TIMER SAYS: If an idea does not first sound absurd, then there is no hope for it. Source--Albert Einstein.



CHECK THIS OUT: Just received an advance copy of CRANBERRY RED, the fourth novel in my Ames County Series. Should be in bookstores in a week or so. Go to www.uwpress.wisc.edu, and click on Fall 2010 Catalog for details. Amazon.com also has a cover photo and description.

WRITING WORKSHOPS

Saturday, October 30. There is still room in my day-long workshop. Contact: The Clearing Folk School www.theclearing.org P.O. Box 65 | 12171 Garrett Bay Road | Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Toll Free: 877.854.3225 | clearing@theclearing.org Monday - Friday 8-4

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 21, 1:00 p.m & 3:00 p.m. R.R, Days, Stonefield Village, Cassville. Horse Drawn Days and Barns of Wisconsin.

August 22, 11:00-3:00, Barnes and Noble, Racine, WI. Horse Drawn Days, Barns of Wisconsin and more.

August 25, 7:00 p.m. Bailey’s Harbor Town Hall, Door County Environmental Council. Ames County Novels plus Old Farm and Barns of Wisconsin.

September 13, 10:00 a.m., Attic Angels Retirement Center, Madison. Horse Drawn Days.

September 14, noon, Waupaca Library, Waupaca, WI. Ames County Novels.

September 18-19, Creekside Books, Cedarburg, WI. Barns and Horse Drawn Days.