I think I've mentioned him before, Randy Ingermanson. He cranks out a good newsletter, has good websites (see http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/). My days are busy, but I must look more at his techniques and suggestions. He also speaks/instructs/mentors at conferences ... for a price, of course. See the same link.
A just finished reading The Shipping News by Annie Proulx. What an inspiration that is for her assured, daring style, and fascinating content, goings-on in and around a small fishing town in Newfoundland. Her characters even tell great stories. Now I got to chase out and see the movie on DVD.
Sheesh, and more! I took an 8-week internet novel writing course (March-April) from Random House Struik (in South Africa), a class of the highest quality they term GetSmarter, with plenty of expert support from teacher/editor/agent, Ron Irwin, a strong leader and critiquer. We endured and tried our hands at student critiquing and other challenges. I shared excerpts from of my novel, Sagebrush at Stony Creek, for critiquing. A few poems; Thanks Kim and Kris and other new South African fans for their encouragement. 80 students with quite a spread of ages and subjects; genres. Some of my critiques were seen as overly harsh and condescending, but I defend it, as I am focusing on improving the work, and of course, the receiver has the option to consider my thoughts and immediately dismiss them. Thick skin does come with this profession, novel writing, unless you're a Grisham or Brown or Stephen King. Hey, they probably have thick skin, too.
In the middle of the Random House Struik course, I took three day writer's "Retreat" at the PEMA OSEL LING Retreat Center outside of Watsonville, CA sponsored by the Norcal Group of branches of California Writers Club. Learned a great deal about sliding down hills in Santa Cruz Hills mud. Nora Profit ( http://www.thewritingloft.com/ ) taught two of the classes on writing with emotion. A couple other classes were given by Luisah Teish on shifting the paradigm, spreading the mythos of conservation and caring for the fragile Earth in all one's writings ( http://www.luisahteish.com/ ).
I must get back to my short story and publish the ending here for all you fans who are waiting. If you're holding your breath, you must have keeled over by now. I want to send it in to GlimmerTrain by May 25. -rb
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About Me
- Richard A. Burns
- I'm a retired quality engineer, most of my 29 year career at HP. The Treasurer position of California Writers Club, South Bay Branch is a recent new (and time consuming) activity for me. I graduated from UCSB (1968) and spent four years in the Air Force. I had two kids (now adults) and two grandchidren.
