What the Heck is Going On Here?

I asked the members of the BWW classes to describe what goes on in the Book Writing World, and here are some of their replies:

“Monday Master Class: zero in on brush strokes, in the way an art student might examine, and therefore learn from, an impressionistic painting: what blending of light and dark was done for this slipper? for this bit of shoreline? Each week we study and imitate a published paragraph, classic author or contemporary, short story anthology or novel, and take a look at what is being done. How two characters in the midst of an argument might react to a third person entering the room, how memory might inform a decision, the point of resolution, what elements come into play when a character finds illumination.

“We write for a few minutes, then read our own paragraphs aloud to Elizabeth’s razor sharp (and very supportive) feedback. Even if I don’t write all week, I am ‘forced’ to write Monday and find that regardless of what kind of project I am currently working on, the words I get on paper in class contribute. Some of us are writing short stories, others novels, others nothing in particular. There are no rules, just illumination and exploration!

“Structure for Success: Angie has a gift in guiding a story, getting all those wayward lambs of ideas back to the flock of the overall trajectory of theme. This class is great for shaping a diffuse idea into a real story, using all the main ‘seven’ steps (archetypal story points) to anchor plot into place. Giving up nothing creatively, gaining everything (a real working outline). A process that could take years, fit into twelve painless weeks.”

–Christine O’Brien (MFA from St. Mary’s, member of both these classes)

“I am in the Thursday Mentoring Group and have been so from the beginning of BWW. BWW and the Mentoring Group have kept me on track with the finishing of my historical novel, learning more deeply how to edit, increasing wordsmith skills, receiving support from our close-knit group, and taking it all the way to the finish line. Just two weeks ago I sent it out to the first publisher on my list! I couldn’t come as far without BWW!”

–Judith Nasse (founding member of the BWW)

“I joined BWW a year and a half ago in order to start writing seriously, finally, to live the life of a writer. I wanted to put some order and get some perspective on all the scattered notes, ideas and desires that were rattling around inside me. Having worked with Elizabeth previously, I knew that I would find not only the best encouragement, but that I would find my “writing home,” the place inside me which I knew I could count on.

“So many things have changed in the year and a half: participating in the Thursday Mentoring Group, I’ve gone from believing I had no imagination (don’t ask) to assuming that my imagination knows what it is doing; I’ve gone from wondering where all my hundreds of little notes were going to having a character whose voice I have begun to expand; I’ve gone from feeling I was alone with Elizabeth to having a community of writing friends who are attentive, supportive, kind, inspiring, talented and creative. Did I remember to say that being a part of BWW is inspiring? I’m lucky to have BWW in my life.”

–Melanie Lee (member of BWW)