Writing Life, Small World Division

[akirlu]

The Orycon writing workshop sets up what seems to be a pretty intimate matching of workshoppers and pros. The mix, at least this year, is just two workshoppers matched with two pros per work group. Pretty cozy. So tonight I found out who my two pros will be for the workshop: jaylake and davidlevine. In many ways, a dream team to get. But also, both on my Friends List, and like that. I have been on silly quiz show panels with these men. David has been trodden on by my dog. Jay has accused me of wit. I wonder if this is going to be Weird? I wonder if it's too late to turn in a better story? Hmm. I do believe I may be having stage fright.

Comments

[davidlevine]

Worry not. I'll give your story the same loving evisceration I'd give to anyone else in the same position. And I've critted friends before, too.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, but What If It Sucks Syphilitic Donkey Dicks Through Soda Straws, eh? Eh? I will die of mortification, that's what. And what if I can't spell "syphilitic"?

[thirdworld.livejournal.com]

Worry not! Writers groups give us so much input that you either get confirmation that you have a good story, or you get help fixing one that needs work. Win win. I also received my names, but as far as I'm aware I know neither author.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it'll be great, I just had to get through my initial spate of the whim whams.

[davidlevine]

All die. Oh, the embarrassment. (sp?)

[athenais.livejournal.com]

I had my work vetted by two friends at VP. It's really kind of fun, because you don't have to worry about impressing them. It's waaaaay too late for that, they already know you're good.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm sure I'll be fine once I get over the initial flutter. I'm still weird in some contexts about people reading my stuff. When I handed what there is of my TAFF report over to fringefaan to look over for possible editorial help, I started directing him about bits he could skip, and he looked straight at me and said, "It would be so easy for me to make you cringe over this, wouldn't it?" Well, *yeah*. But being a good guy, he then said something warm and reassuring about that not being the point of the exercise.

And I know I'll toughen up eventually, it's a matter of attitude. Hell, as an art major I had professors come and draw on my work to show me what I should be doing instead. I just need not to be precious about every single apostrophe, as if I couldn't write another.

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

Synchronicity: This was the entry above this on my f-list.

You'll be fine.

Hugs to Sara, love to Hal.

TK

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

You'll have to summarize, or something -- I can't look at links to closed lists I'm not already on.

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

Oh, oops. I didn't know it was closed.

It was jaylake asking a question about the making of complex plurals for a book in edit.

TK