Comments on: Confessions of a Workshop Flunkie

By: ? Writing Links Round Up 3/12-3/17 – B. Shaun Smith

? Writing Links Round Up 3/12-3/17 – B. Shaun Smith — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 19:01:40 +0000

[…] Confessions of a Workshop Flunkie […]

By: Marie Staight

Marie Staight — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:59:48 +0000

In my 'other life', the one before retirement I was a pediatric physical therapist. Over my career I took part in hundreds of workshops - all touting 'the one thing that works'. I soon found, 'ehh, not so much', so I began doing what worked. My eclectic methods sometimes didn't work - so I labeled that as 'evaluation'; but when it did work, I labeled that as 'true treatment'. I have carried that over to my writing. I am a profound gatherer of information on all things related to writing. Some things stick in my mind and work for me, others don't and therefore slip into the abyss of my brain. You just have to remain true to the mantra to do what works for you.

By: jagrout

jagrout — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 00:11:51 +0000

I wonder if you really "flunked" the workshop. You seem to have drawn many resources together in bits and pieces, and then assembled them into a new creature that suits you. Pat on the back is what you need do in this new creative writing year.

By: Wilma Walker

Wilma Walker — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 19:57:12 +0000

I have done some similar things when it came to writing, I have read numerous articles, visited many site, taking notes after notes, cutting and pasting creating notebooks of my notes. The time was so consuming, and with all that being said, only one quarter of all those notes worked for me. I have since realized that outlining my story doesn't work for me, because I never look back on it, I did discovered that my writing niche was the one I create in my head while I am walking, talking, and observing others. Sometimes I look back on my notebooks for a new word to an old situation, but for now, no more note taking for me, I will just open the door in my head and watch my characters flow. I only have to stop procrastinating. Wilma

By: Luther

Luther — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 20:58:48 +0000

I love your article and thanks for sharing your feelings. I won't mention any names, but there are some people that enjoy breaking a story down into components and then push the idea that we writers just have to follow the different components. They remind me of the same people that my company hired and called them "Efficiently Experts" and they were there to help us all work harder and smarter. Not true! They were there to eliminate salaries and people. To me, writing is a creative process and I have to have faith in my abilities and continue to work. It seems to me that your beliefs are similar. Luther

By: dholcomb1

dholcomb1 — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 20:01:34 +0000

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I know others try to be helpful, but what works for them doesn't always work for me. Craft books aren't a "one size fits all." I'd rather go to a workshop and glean a few things to help or get an honest critique than spend money on craft books others think I need. denise

By: anneclermont

anneclermont — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 19:19:20 +0000

Great post, Orly! I love this! I too love craft workshops, books and conferences, and I do learn from them. I also think that sometimes I will overanalyze 'how' to do something and then magic disappears. Poof! I have no idea why I created the world I'm in. Thank you for talking about it, and know that you're doing it your way, which is the 'Orly' way and that's what counts!!

By: LauraDrake

LauraDrake — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 13:28:28 +0000

In reply to Julie Glover. *fingers in ears* "Nahnahnahnahnahnah...."

By: LauraDrake

LauraDrake — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 13:22:47 +0000

In reply to Orly Konig. Or teach!

By: LauraDrake

LauraDrake — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 13:20:46 +0000

In reply to Orly Konig. Maybe not then, but I've seen you seriously crank out words, Orly! Guys, her next book? Oh man, you gotta read it!