Deep gratitude...

The late, amazing Gary Provost

Monday, November 14th was the first day for the first Wake Up and Write Writer's Retreat Workshop. Coincidentally, it was Gary's birthday, or would have been had he still been alive. 

I'd like to think I did him proud with the workshop. The staff and students sure did. It was an incredible experience to be with them in a very special space, and be a part of the work everyone was doing and sharing.

We had novelists, of course, as well as a playwright, a short story writer, and a writer of narrative non-fiction. Everyone fully embraced what was offered and participated wholeheartedly. It was a gift, and one that we all gave to each other throughout the week.

We only had five nights together, six days. Because of that, I kept the focus on craft, not on marketing or selling. That focus paid off the last night when we had readings, and had a chance to listen to everyone else's work. It was moving, funny, and intimate.

It's interesting, trying to write this blog.  So much of what I would share, I can't, because it was intimate. What I will share are a few of my own experiences.

It was the first time that everyone participated in writing practice, which I learned from Natalie Goldberg. That's when we sit in meditation for a few minutes, then write with a prompt that I give the group. I'm used to one or two folks not showing up, or even getting up and walking out in the middle. Not this group. Everyone stayed, sat, wrote, and read. It meant a lot to me.

David Corbett, deconstructing Chinatown for the group

Discussion and debate

Another moment was when I did a class on pulling all of the layers together - character, story,  language, using the song "Non-Stop" from Hamilton. It was the first time I taught from that material, and I played part of each of the individual musical themes, so they could hear them in the song, and hear how they were woven together and built to a tremendous crescendo. The song invariably moves me to tears, and it was a great illustration of bringing the elements into one, cohesive, powerful statement.

The deep gratitude in the title includes so many people. Gary for sure. And Gail. Without their generosity and love, as well as Gary's teaching,, my life would be completely different. Natalie Goldberg for sharing writing practice. All of the folks over the years I've worked with at WRW. David, Tex, and Jason, who were a wonderful group of teachers for this workshop. The kind and caring staff at St. Raphaela, who made such a welcoming space for a group of writers. And most of all, deep gratitude to Peter, Bernie, Charles, Diane, Dave, Deb, Paula, Martha, Eric, and Kelley. Your great effort was a gift to all of us...