writing workshops and me… and you

As you probably know, I’m a graduate of two speculative fiction writing workshops. I attended Viable Paradise in 2008 (Go XIIers!) and Clarion West in 2011 (Let’s do this!). Both were incredible and pivotal experiences–the kind that do indeed allow one to shift directions in life. VP gave me a sense of community and took…

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New story up at Strange Horizons

My first pro story, “Recognizing Gabe: un cuento de hadas,” is up at Strange Horizons. It’s my Week 5 story from Clarion West. It’s about seeing and being seen, and growing up. Also, tamales.

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YES!

I’ve sold my first story. It’s the one I wrote for week five of Clarion West. It’s a pro sale to a well-respected market. More details once I’ve actually inked the contract. [Edited to add:] Thank you so much for your awesome words of encouragement and congratulations. I appreciate them deeply.

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second story submitted

Sent off the second of my Clarion West stories. I would have sent it off sooner except for the fact that the title was wrong, and I couldn’t figure it out. Usually, I don’t have trouble with titles. Not getting it figured out for so long told me it wasn’t ready to go. So I…

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torpedoes away!

I have just made my first post-Clarion West submission. “The Bleak December” is off. Now, the next story. And after that, the one after. Et cetera.

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I am a writer.

The process of my reintegration with my life is slow-going. I’m currently lying in bed in a motel in Redding. Last night, I was in Portland. In the morning, I’ll be heading home. I was tempted to press on further south today, but I resisted. This three-day journey is medicinal. That said, I think I…

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graduation

I’m a graduate of Clarion West. Holy god, where have the six weeks gone? I have read 85 stories by 17 amazing writers, written five of my own, learned from six fantastic instructors, and thoroughly enjoyed it all. Even the scary bits. This has been a thing of wonder and awe for me, and I…

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I honestly don’t know how I did that

I turned in my story at about 10:20 pm on Monday, a bit later than the 9:00 o’clock I was shooting for. However, I did pretty much finish up the last line at about nine, so I’m okay with that. And yes, I realize that I’m being ridiculous since I have until 9:00 am on…

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and kicking like a Rockette

Okay, so that went so much better than I had imagined it could have gone. Yes, lots of things wrong with the story were pointed out to me. Many of these were not surprising, which is good because it says my instincts are solid. I’m just surprised–and heartened–that people found so much that worked in…

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insert title here

Turned in my second story last night, and it’s being read today for critique tomorrow. This time, I feel much less anxiety. I mean, this time I know it’s crap, and I know the issues that are wrong with it. But it’s very different from what I submitted last week, which I feel is like…

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