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Letter from Joyce Archives
Look for the February 2004 release of The Usual Rules in paperback!
October 1, 2007
Dear Friends,
As many years as have passed since the last time I headed off to school in September, or outfitted my children with new notebooks and pencils to do the same, September (and even October) still feel to me like the start of a new year. (And of course, Jewish tradition marks the new year with Roshashanna as well. Maybe it’s in my hard wiring too.)
So -- filled with resolutions of my own this fall, to get back on my bike and work on my triceps before my upper arms start looking like my grandmother’s, and eat only healthy foods (or mostly only healthy foods) and work on my Spanish and take out the banjo that’s been collecting dust in my living room -- this also feels like a good moment to address a goal many of you might, similarly, have put on hold for too long: the urge to do some writing. And because I love helping others tell their, I want to spend a few minutes talking about some writing workshops of mine that are coming up, that represent a great opportunity to help you get going.
So I’m writing today to tell you about a brand new, ongoing workshop I’m starting up, beginning October 27, for San Francisco Bay Area writers. And -- for those of you who don’t live in the Bay Area, to tell you about a couple of other opportunities to work with me, in other places.
On Saturday, December 1, I’ll be hosting a day-long workshop at my home in Mill Valley. If you’re one of those people who has been thinking about joining me for the memoir group, but are holding back (because you haven’t written anything yet, or you’re afraid everyone else will be a lot more experienced than you), I want to say, these groups always include writers of every level -- including some still at the stage of simply wanting to write. I actually love it, when I get a chance to work with people at that stage.
As for your anxiety about sharing work: at last Saturday’s workshop, one woman confessed she had felt like throwing up, on the way over to my house. (I did not take this personally by the way.) And another woman, who’d flown all the way from Syracuse, New York, told us she’d nearly cancelled her flight at the last minute. Both ended up saying how happy they were they hadn’t given in to their fears, by the way. (Here are a few comments from recent students in the memoir workshop.)
Finally, I want to remind you of another workshop opportunity -- for those of you who’d like to immerse yourselves in the craft of writing, without any of the distractions of day to day life. I’m talking about my Lake Atitlan Writing Workshop.
As many of you know, the weeklong writing workshop I started a few years back, on the shores of Lake Atitlan, in Guatemala, is a project close to my heart, and one of the most rewarding experiences of my year. Although the 2008 workshop is still several months away (dates are February 9-17), I’m hoping that some of you who may have been considering joining us will give serious thought to taking the plunge and signing up.
To
help you make that decision, I’ve posted some more information about
the workshop on my website: In addition to the slideshow
and testimonials
from some of the writers who’ve joined me in the past, you can now
find out more about my two co-instructors that week -- Bob
Bausch (leading our fiction workshop) and (for the first time ever)
Jane
Hirshfield, (poetry). Having these two enormously well-respected writers
and teachers of their craft joining us is a huge honor for me, and a great
opportunity for all who attend. Regardless of which discipline you choose
to focus on, you’ll have abundant opportunities to hear from all
three of us. I particularly look forward to the presence of poets in our
group this year, and the chance to hear some of your poetry around the
campfire, along with the work of the prose writers.
This year’s workshop also features an optional one day add-on visit to the beautiful colonial town of Antigua, where those of you who choose can meet up, take in the sights, have a great meal and do a little shopping before heading to the lake to begin our work together. Those who don’t want to join us in Antigua will be met at the Guatemala City airport the next day (February 10) and transported directly to the lake for our opening night festivities. (If money’s an issue, you can definitely forego Antigua. You just need to be sure to book a flight that gets you into Guatemala City early enough in the day that we can pick you up at the airport and transport you to the lake in time for our opening night festivities there.)
If you decide to sign up, you’ll be receiving emails from me, over the months ahead, with more information about traveling to Guatemala, and what to expect (as well as a questionnaire from Cristina at Casa Azul, the yoga center where we are based, who arranges for all your housing needs, and just about everything else not related to your writing.) Those who have joined us in the past can attest to what a wonderful job she and her husband Ed will do, taking care of you.
And just so you know: Your deposit is refundable -- less a $50 processing fee -- up until two months before we meet up. But truthfully, once you hear what we’ve got planned for our group, I’m hoping you won’ t be able to miss it.
One way or another, I hope you’re moved to explore some writing of your own over the months ahead. I’d truly love to help you.
Finally -- on a totally different note -- I wanted to alert you to a new essay of mine appearing in the current (October) issue of Vogue Magazine. It’s about the power of a photograph. And for those of you who missed the feature in last month’s MORE magazine, featuring side by side essays by my sister Rona and me, about being sisters, we’ve posted my sister essay as well. (And I encourage you to visit Rona’s site, RonaMaynard.com, too ).
With friendship,
RECOMMEND JOYCEMAYNARD.COM TO A FRIEND
