Slammed with client work at the moment, and dreaming of enough free time to read a page or two of research or bang out a character interview. This weekend I’ll be going to the Donald Maass retreat, which I’m pretty stoked about. My retreat life has been unbelievable lately. To wit:
01/12:
TARA writers’ meeting in Tampa, FL
Erica attends goals workshop
Erica presents website & online marketing workshop
01/18-01/20:
Debra Dixon retreat in Portland, OR
Erica attends GMC, Hero’s Journey, and Black Moment workshops
Erica (and Mavens) present storyboarding workshop
01/26:
Donald Maass retreat in Ft. Myers, FL
Erica attends workshops
02/01-02/03:
Michael Hauge retreat in Lido Beach, FL
Erica attends workshops
Erica participates in round robin crit session
Erica does 4am write-a-thons
Erica does early morning writers-on-the-beach exercises
Erica stays up late for movie analyses and networking
Erica’s head explodes
YOUR TURN: Whatcha got going on? Your weekends as crazy as mine, whether writing-related or otherwise? How’s the WIP?
Wow, Erica, if I found myself in the midst of a schedule like that, I’d be thinking maybe it would be better if I went to a few less writing conferences; and instead, relaxed at home writing. You make the energizer bunny look like a slacker.
Comment by BernardL — January 24, 2008 @ 9:15 am
My life is pretty boring compared to yours, Erica. (Heck, it’s boring compared to most people’s.) The WIP is going great, though, so I have no complaints. Maybe this’ll be my year and then I’ll be less boring. ;o)
Comment by B.E. Sanderson — January 24, 2008 @ 9:30 am
What’s the old German proverb? Ah, yes: “When I rest, I rust.”
No danger of you rusting, Erica!
Comment by Bill Clark — January 24, 2008 @ 9:46 am
01/12 TARA writer’s meeting in Tampa, FL
01/19-20: Work all day on chapter by-laws with TARA board, due to RWA and then will present to TARA chapter
01/26-27: Work on edits and write the synopsis…ugh!!
02/1-3: Michael Hauge retreat
Pretty much same agenda as yours, except be there early to make sure all is set up. Registration, work with hotel for food and rooms, take Michael out to dinner (someone has too;), oh, and have lots of fun.
In between these weeks I’ve been working on my own revisions, still need to crit Laurie’s synopsis, meet with the hotel, work on workbooks (they still need to be bound), and tons of other general things that need to be done when having a retreat.
Needless to say I’m looking forward to it and at the same time looking forward to a normal week and weekend.
Is there really anything normal when you’re a writer???
Comment by Vicki — January 24, 2008 @ 11:13 am
looking forward to a normal week and weekend.
Is there really anything normal when you’re a writer???
I think you’ve put your finger on it, Vicki! Ain’t so such animal.
Comment by Bill Clark — January 24, 2008 @ 12:36 pm
Wow! You have tons going on! Well, it might keep you from writing, but it looks like it’ll be helpful in the long run–especially the Donald Maass retreat. I got to go to a workshop with him several years ago, and it was so helpful. Enjoy it!
Comment by booklady — January 24, 2008 @ 8:55 pm
I think that it’s time for you to get rid of the clients.
Comment by AngryMan — January 25, 2008 @ 7:58 am
Bernard: LOL. I hear ya. Believe it or not, that’s a very atypical schedule for me. It just turned out that 3 “big name” conferences landed 3 weekends in a row and all happened to be doable. I’ll learn a lot… if I can stay awake…
B.E.: Yay for the WIP going great! That’s the most important thing!!
Bill: Heh. No rust here!
Vicki: Dare I say yours is even crazier than mine?!
Booklady: That’s how I’m justifying all these non-writing weekends, too. I’m banking on them being invaluable in the long run. Better to have my ah-ha! moments up front and not have to rewrite later, right?
AngryMan: LOL. Don’t think it hasn’t crossed my mind… (Curse you, impossible-to-win Florida Lottery!!)
Comment by Erica Ridley — January 25, 2008 @ 8:07 am
I don’t think mines crazier than yours, just a few things different. But the by-laws are done, at least part one, the worst part, and the retreat is soon so all will be back to the normal crazy routine within a week.
Comment by Vicki — January 26, 2008 @ 9:53 am
My writing life is more boring than yours, certainly. I’ve got a short story coming out in March, but other than that, things are slow. Mostly because of work – massive amounts of OT and when I have free time, it’s kids and house and dogs who have precedence. Oh yeah, and my hubby, who I like to think can take care of himself but sometimes I wonder.
Don’t wear yourself out with that crazy schedule!
Comment by Kris — January 26, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
We miss you!
Comment by lacey kaye — January 26, 2008 @ 5:59 pm
Wow, Erica, that is impressive.
Have so much fun in all of this!
I am trying to polish up the first bit of my WIP to send it to the Sheila. So, that’s keeping me busy.
I also finished my storyboard for said WIP (had to do a new one as I’m redoing it, despite my 150 page head start into it). So, now I’m revising and continuing, go me!!
Good luck with everything! Keep us posted!
Comment by Marnee Jo — January 26, 2008 @ 9:34 pm