Have you heard about this guy?
I had heard mention of him, then I picked up his book, STORY.
Actually, I went looking everywhere for the book, because I had heard it was good. I couldn’t find it locally. I was getting ready to break down and order it online, but then, in a box that I hadn’t looked at in some time, I found that I had actually bought it some months before and never started reading it.
I started reading the book and was amazed. Not that everything he said in it was a revelation, but he managed to bring to consciousness a number of things that I was doing instinctively, which gave me a greater understanding of the writing process. He provided a structure and vocabulary in a number of areas where I lacked it, allowing me to think in a clearer, more methodical way about how I built stories.
And how to make stories work.
He gives a number of seminars each year, all over the world. Inspired by my friend, Michael, who made one of his dreams come true last summer by walking the pilgrimage to Santiago, I decided that I was going to attend one. This year, he’s only doing one in Canada, and that’s in Vancouver. It starts this coming Friday, and I’m going to be there.
I’m really very excited.
Each of the three days of the session is apparently almost twelve hours long, but I’m going to try and update this blog each day for anyone interested in what’s going on.
Tonight, I have to go find a good notebook (or notebooks; the woman organizing the seminar said she filled three yellow legal pads when she took the seminar) and some nice pens.
I like shopping for stationery.
Oooo. I’d say spring for a big bound journal or two. Easier to keep everything in place and reference it in the future without having to transpose all your notes again 🙂
Like this one
http://tinyurl.com/nuxwtq
I got it at Staples.
There is nothing more satisfying than setting an objective and setting out to accomplish it. Good for you! I have been taking notes in class for years now. I will tell you that nothing beats a plain old Hilroy scribbler; it’s not fancy, but it is very easy to use and convenient so long as you have a surface to write on. If you want to avoid looking liek a 5th-grader, though, you can buy the more sophisticated-looking Moleskin version: http://www.moleskines.com/klmc717.html
Get a digital recorder, you alleged computer geek, and save your fingers for typing… ;>
1. Digital recordings not as good for accessing later at random spots. Books are better for looking things up.
2. A decent recorder costs around $100, and I’m already spending enough on this trip.
3. Recording the seminar is not allowed.
4. Shut up! I am too a computer geek!
;->
See you there, I know you’re going to love it!
Beverley (from http://www.whitedogseminars.com)
I look forward to reading your blog!