Writers' Week (is every week!)

It's been a busy few weeks at the Creative Conduit!

   First of all, a HUGE thanks to Linda Stirling for hosting a simply wonderful class the weekend of Sept. 29 and 30, on Internet publishing! It was clearly presented, and dense with priceless information. Not only that, but the food and setting were very nourishing for me! I left feeling so blessed. I look forward to making this work, and to having a continuing outlet for sharing my little "word-children" as they are born, and making a bit of money besides! I may have to call her and bother her for occasional advice . . . although she did say that was all right.
   I've been a writer for a long time, but this class was one of those moments that felt like a transition toward my being an actual writer, if that makes sense. Or rather, the transition toward my accepting that about myself — claiming that identity. I mean, honestly . . . how long does it take us writers to take ourselves seriously (but not too seriously, *wink*)?
   At any rate, it was worth every minute for me.
   Thanks also to the amazing people in the class. You're a great group in my opinion — beautiful people, rich in soul and experience — and I hope to keep in touch with you in the future! More word-power to you all, and blessings.

   At the home console:
   I was aiming for the full moon to complete the illustrations for Edge of Darkness (us witches and the moon . . .), but the workshop put a temporary cooler on that effort! So far, nine illustrations are complete. Plenty more to go. But Edge is one of those projects so large in scope, I'm coming to feel it's worth taking more time to do it right. Always another edit, always a better way to craft words to convey the dynamics of that world . . . a world based in words, yet deeply rich with the overtones of sensory life; a world within our own, which is itself so very word-based. In doing this, I'm hoping Edge will become, not just another wizard fantasy (though HP was pretty good, if simplified), not just another vampire flick-series, but a deeply rich exploration of what it means to be human — in all its linguistic, sensory, cerebral and magickal capacity . . . whether pretty, or not. Deeper, that is, than most of what's out there, for all books provoke thought to some degree.
   It's a delicate balance to find — a balance between easy-to-read, and real, and complex, and saying what everyone has already said throughout history, yet in a way that no one has used before. A way that opens new windows into perception and thought. Oh, my. A simple task, right?
   For anyone interested in language, life, and its philosophy, I recommend David Abram's work. I'm reading The Spell of the Sensuous again right now — delicious, but if you pick it up, be sure to engage all those neurons and activate full bodily awareness to understand what he's talking about!

    Lastly:
    IPRC's Text Ball is tonight! This will be a new event for me, with expectations deliciously open.
   Yesterday I spent more hours than planned getting my dress ready (*gasp!* What am I going to wear?!?! Do I have the right shoes?!?). This involved . . . fabric-ink, a rubber roller, and antique wooden text printer's blocks! I now have a white linen dress covered in words, ranging from the smallest English word ('I') to the largest ('floccinaucinihilipilification' – what a fun word! Say it fast and you spit all over yourself), with a generous helping of others from both ends of the spectrum ('but', 'um', what?!?', 'transcendentalism', etc.). Having punctuation blocks in the set has contributed to the design a great deal, as well. Plus, a pair of little wire frame glasses, for that über-writerly look. Lots of fun — can't wait!
   Today I also printed out some mini-flyers for Sarkazen, designed last night on Photoshop. I don't know how many I'll hand out, but feel it's a good idea to have them ready. Just in case somebody happens to be interested.     .    .   .  .  . .. . ... .....???!!!!?!?!?...... . .  .   .