For six weeks, we learned to write better (but still shitty!) first drafts. I wrote three new stories at Clarion, and revised two previously written ones. I think it only appropriate that, for my inaugural write-a-thon, I rewrite and/or revise those stories.

• “Longwalkers”
• “A Murder of Crows”
• “Control”, was “I Love You, Good Bye, I’ll See You Soon” *
• “Recycled Dreams”
• “Cradle of Hope”
• One or two additional stories TBD

Everyone who donates, if they so choose, will receive a postcard with story bits, doodles, or whatever I feel like adding to it.

Your name will also be listed in the acknowledgements of a limited edition ebook (see below).

$10

For ten dollars or more, you’ll receive the above, plus a limited edition ebook containing:

• My application essay
• My application stories
• The handwritten, first and revised versions of my Clarion stories
• A one year retrospective, post-Clarion
• Extra bonus material

$25

Anyone who pledges $25 or more will receive, in addition to the ebook, tuckerization in a future story.

$50

For $50 or more, donors will receive the ebook, tuckerization, and I will give you a detailed critique of a story, up to 7,500 words.

$100

If you are able to donate $100 or more dollars, you’ll receive all of the above, my never-ending gratitude, and I will write a story based on prompts that you provide.

Not only am I dedicating the next six weeks to raising money for Clarion, I will also put matching funds towards a scholarship for a 2012 Clarion student of my choosing. Please visit my write-a-thon page to make your pledge and drop a note here to let me know where to send your postcard. I’ll be in touch for any other details for your reward.

* Already rewritten and in circulation, but you’ll still get both versions

1. I write stories about the human condition. It’s the people that interest me, their struggles that move me, and their pain that moves my pen. So, I guess that explains my fascination with people-watching.
2. Find what works for and stick with it. I’m a slow writer and writing my first drafts (and sometimes second) longhand doesn’t help, but it’s how I get things done. It’s hard, sometimes, seeing my peers whip out short stories in an evening, but everyone is unique and I’d like to think that it shows in the end product.
3. Trusting myself. That’s an ongoing process, but Clarion was a milestone in my self-confidence. Consider the odds when you apply: the competition is fierce (I think my class had 170+ applications) and only 17 are chosen. To be accepted means you beat out some very tough competition (and if you didn’t get in, apply again!).
4. Sleep. At times, Clarion is paced like a convention, only six weeks long. Writers, when clustered together, like to talk and drink, and tend to repeat themselves. You find ways to squeeze in extra shut eye, like skipping breakfast in the cafeteria and eating a quick bite in your kitchenette.
5. Read quickly, read critically. There are more stories to critique and you have a story due this week. I still think I suck at time management, but I’m way better now.

Once there, you’re living and breathing the craft for six weeks. Find out if you have what it takes to be a writer full-time, aside from the whole being able to support yourself nuisance. You learn from some of the best writers and editors in our field. Meet and bond with a group of up and coming writers like yourself. Clarion and Clarion West are open for applications right now. What are you waiting for?

Project: Sex/magic story, now with more poly love, a plump dominatrix, a Chicago swinger’s club, and one pissed off magician, tentatively titled The Way Out is Through.
New words written: 484
Reason for stopping: End of story

Tomorrow is a travel day for me. Back to Santa Monica for a week of work and, with luck, more success in finding a room or apartment for rent. While I’m galavanting across the country, I’ll be outlining my story for the 20Spec anthology, which is open for submissions on October 11th. The plan is to get The Way Out is Through sent off to a couple of beta readers and then work on the first draft of my tale of Romani revenge, Eye of the People.

Eighteen people met as strangers in late June, in San Diego, and became a family. Along the way, aunts and uncles and cousins, and a grandfather or two, who guided us through the Clarion process. Perhaps the hardest part about Clarion wasn’t the coming but the going and the saying of goodbyes.

I know some of you will find this post while searching for words of wisdom from past Clarion students. Maybe I’ll have something more profound to say between now and then. Right now the experience is still too near to me to properly put it into the kind of meaningful words that I would use to inspire you. Six weeks of doing any one thing in concentration is intense, and internalizing all that knowledge can take years. I’m reading, writing, and editing. I’m not rushing the process.

In the month since the workshop ended, I’ve only been home for a few days. My day job underwent some major restructuring over the summer, which included setting up a new office near Los Angeles and I’ve been commuting from Chicago on a near-weekly basis since my return. That’s given me time to contemplate, but not enough time to overthink. What I’ve come here to say is, yeah, I’m that guy that went to that writing thing. Some day, I’ll have something smarter to say about the experience.

More later, after the celebration has ended.

So better late than never, I’m happy to announce that I’ve applied to Clarion and Clarion West. These are kind of a big deal as far as writing workshops go. They receive hundreds of applicants every year and only a handful are accepted. The odds are not in my favor but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Even if I do get accepted, there are a lot of obstacles standing in my way. There’s the house for sale in Illinois and a few lingering divorce debts that must be paid before anything else. I’m working hard at that and things are moving in the right direction. Then there’s taking six weeks off of work. I think I can pull that off, but it means I’m going to be pulling a lot of long hours in the months beforehand to make up for it. A worthy sacrifice, if I get the call.

I only have one hard deadline coming up in March. The next quarter of Writers of the Future closes at the end of the month and I plan to have a third consecutive story ready for them. Aside from that I’ll be doing lots and lots of editing. I’m calling a moratorium on new stories until I get some of these drafts revised and into a submission-worthy state.

Good luck shout outs to my tribe mates, Christie and John, who also applied to Clarion. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for all of us.

I’m putting the grind wheel and polish to my as yet untitled story for the Scheherazade’s Facade anthology, due February 28th.  It’s shaping up into something that makes me happy. I pushed myself when writing this and for that reason I’m also considering using it as my second Clarion story.

I’ll be getting back to schedule after these deadlines have passed. I’m behind on updating my goals and schedule but the progress I’ve made, despite being knocked on my ass for a few weeks, is satisfying.