Big Sur Writing Workshop

Mungus · 11-07-2009, 04:09 AM

Just curious if anyone is going to this workshop in December, or has been in the past?

The Big Sur Writing Workshop for Children's Books from Picture Books to Young Adult Fiction

http://www.henrymiller.org/CWW.html

I sent off my submission material and registered this morning, and now have a month to polish my story so that I'm not embarrassed to have it critiqued by these editors/agents/authors.

JudScotKev · 11-07-2009, 08:47 AM

I can't afford it this year...sigh...but I have gone twice and highly recommend it. Wonderful experience--though it is too bad they had to move it out of the Big Sur Lodge because of the fires. While you're there, be sure to head into Pfeiffer State Park and check out the fire damage. From the road, it looks like there was no fire. Then you head into the trees about twenty feet from the lodge, and you realize everything from the ground to about twenty feet off the ground is ash. But the trees are still alive above that! Unlike anything you've ever seen.

Oops...totally off topic...sorry. Anyway.

The faculty is awesome. If you get into a critique group with Eric Elfman, especially, you'll learn so much. I worked with him afterwards--he does private coaching--a few conversations with him took years off my learning curve. But none of my sessions disappointed. These are people who really know their stuff, and enjoy coaching writers. Sitting down with an agent one-on-one and having them say kind things about your work is an incredible feeling. It's been two years, and I'm still floating off the encouragement I got there.

One warning: it is intense. After your first critique session, you'll want to rush back to your hotel room and start revising everything. My advice is to slow down and absorb what you hear. It can be hard to process everything all at once, and things can get overwhelming.

Mungus · 11-07-2009, 09:16 PM

JudScotKev,

Thanks so much for the information!

I hope you don't mind, but I'm PMing you a couple of questions.

Take care.

NancyH · 11-09-2009, 09:22 PM

Hi Mungus,
I just joined and don't really have time to introduce my self properly at the moment, but
did want to say that I'm going to the Big Sur conference. Feel free to PM me.
It'd be nice to know at least one person there!
Nancy

Mungus · 11-09-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NancyH

Hi Mungus,
I just joined and don't really have time to introduce my self properly at the moment, but
did want to say that I'm going to the Big Sur conference. Feel free to PM me.
It'd be nice to know at least one person there!
Nancy

PM'd you

mware01 · 11-10-2009, 11:55 PM

I really wanted to go, but I don't know if I'll be able to get the time off of work.
If they have any last minute opening I might make it. It would be great to meet some members there.

Mungus · 11-11-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mware01

I really wanted to go, but I don't know if I'll be able to get the time off of work.
If they have any last minute opening I might make it. It would be great to meet some members there.

The submission deadline was 11/06, but it's still marked as "open" on the website. Maybe they'll keep accepting until it fills, so you might still have time.

I'm looking forward to spending a weekend focused on nothing but writing, surrounded by writers and professionals in the business. It's going to be a great experience, and I suspect it will do wonders for my current level of work.

mware01 · 11-12-2009, 03:20 AM

Ya, I'm thinking/hoping with the economy they might have a last minute openings.

I guess I should e-mail and ask.

11-07-2009, 04:09 AM	#1
Mungus New kid, be gentle! Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 20	Big Sur Writing Workshop Just curious if anyone is going to this workshop in December, or has been in the past? The Big Sur Writing Workshop for Children's Books from Picture Books to Young Adult Fiction http://www.henrymiller.org/CWW.html I sent off my submission material and registered this morning, and now have a month to polish my story so that I'm not embarrassed to have it critiqued by these editors/agents/authors.

11-07-2009, 08:47 AM	#2
JudScotKev spring fever Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: california Posts: 2,220	I can't afford it this year...sigh...but I have gone twice and highly recommend it. Wonderful experience--though it is too bad they had to move it out of the Big Sur Lodge because of the fires. While you're there, be sure to head into Pfeiffer State Park and check out the fire damage. From the road, it looks like there was no fire. Then you head into the trees about twenty feet from the lodge, and you realize everything from the ground to about twenty feet off the ground is ash. But the trees are still alive above that! Unlike anything you've ever seen. Oops...totally off topic...sorry. Anyway. The faculty is awesome. If you get into a critique group with Eric Elfman, especially, you'll learn so much. I worked with him afterwards--he does private coaching--a few conversations with him took years off my learning curve. But none of my sessions disappointed. These are people who really know their stuff, and enjoy coaching writers. Sitting down with an agent one-on-one and having them say kind things about your work is an incredible feeling. It's been two years, and I'm still floating off the encouragement I got there. One warning: it is intense. After your first critique session, you'll want to rush back to your hotel room and start revising everything. My advice is to slow down and absorb what you hear. It can be hard to process everything all at once, and things can get overwhelming. __________________ call the neighbor kids with trash can lids and buckets on their heads 'cause I think we're gonna need a little help tonight... "Zombies Ate My Neighbors," Single File

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11-07-2009, 09:16 PM	#3
Mungus New kid, be gentle! Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 20	JudScotKev, Thanks so much for the information! I hope you don't mind, but I'm PMing you a couple of questions. Take care.

11-09-2009, 09:22 PM	#4
NancyH New kid, be gentle! Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6	Hi Mungus, I just joined and don't really have time to introduce my self properly at the moment, but did want to say that I'm going to the Big Sur conference. Feel free to PM me. It'd be nice to know at least one person there! Nancy

11-10-2009, 11:55 PM	#6
mware01 AW Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 156	I really wanted to go, but I don't know if I'll be able to get the time off of work. If they have any last minute opening I might make it. It would be great to meet some members there.

11-12-2009, 03:20 AM	#8
mware01 AW Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 156	Ya, I'm thinking/hoping with the economy they might have a last minute openings. I guess I should e-mail and ask.