February 2002 Lake Atitlan Writers' Seminar Alumni Testimonials

As a journalist for many years, I decided to write a memoir about surviving a personal crisis. How hard can it be? I thought. After months of struggle, I learned the answer: very hard. Thus humbled, I had the good fortune to attend the Walloon Writers' Retreat with Joyce Maynard. Through her readings, talks and editing of my work, I found her to be smart, funny, insightful, generous and supportive. Without destroying my (need I say fragile?) ego, she helped me see what was wrong with my work and how to fix it.

A few months later, I raced to Guatemala for the chance to work with her a second time. My writing skills sharpened again. Working with Joyce is like working with the best physical trainer. Only where your muscles take months to develop, your writing ability strengthens overnight with Joyce's help. A seminar with Joyce Maynard is the best gift I ever gave myself as a writer. And she bakes a helluva good peach pie.

— Suzy Farbman, Detroit, Michigan                                    
author of Back From Betrayal: Saving a
Marriage, a Family, a Life (April 2004)

I knew Joyce as a captivating writer. In San Marcos I discovered a gifted and engaging teacher. I never anticipated how much I would learn, nor how much fun I would have. The breathtaking scenery of Lake Atitlan, the enthusiasm and wit of the other participants, combined with Joyce's sensitivity, knowledge, and unflagging energy made for an extraordinarily rich and rewarding seven days. I felt privileged to be there, and grateful for all I learned. It all ended too soon. I'm looking forward to returning.

— Paul Eisenberg, Berkeley California

I characterize those eight amazing days as a pivotal event in the formation of my skill as a writer. I began the week writing carefully and guardedly, over emphasizing description and ardently avoiding the blood and guts of the pieces I attempted. Before I arrived, a friend accused me of flying above the material and not allowing myself to get down into the real and messy things lurking there. Joyce seemed to concur. She said things like, "Don't say passed away, say died," and, "Don't tell us about the wallpaper, show us how the protagonist felt standing at the deathbed of her father." Joyce yelled (albeit with great care and respect) at me and brutally red penned my beloved stories. The instruction was simultaneously profoundly painful and incredibly liberating. I stayed up all night one night arguing in my head about her theories and style while still struggling with my fragile and wounded ego. With the dawn's first rays, I angrily wrote the most heartfelt, honest, and real thing I had ever attempted.

After that, I felt as if the veil had been lifted from my eyes both in terms of my life as well as my writing. My writing changed dramatically and became both more fun and more real. My life felt cleaner and simpler. Arbitrary schedules, make believe deadlines, and endless to do lists I previously agonized over miraculously became trivialities. I began giving myself permission to say no. I re-examined the idea of "wasted time," which now became rich and precious "me time."

As if the inspiration and instruction weren't enough in itself, they almost paled in comparison to the privilege of experiencing the biggest, most beautiful full moon I have ever seen, meeting many fascinating people, eating much fabulous food, and spending a week in a slow motion paradise.

I loved all the mostly wonderful and sometimes very difficult things I learned and experienced in Guatemala with Joyce and eagerly look forward to doing it all again.

-- Nancy Brodhead, Florida

Pictures from the February 2002 workshop

 RECOMMEND JOYCEMAYNARD.COM TO A FRIEND

BACK • TOP OF PAGE