Post Traumatic Critique Retreat Disorder.

Robin, Ilima, Me, Taryn, Katie
We are enjoying a dinner at a Winery from my novel.

These amazing writers are my critique partners. We met less than one year ago at WIFYR. Since our amazing class with this lady, we have emailed each other nearly every day. That's right, every day. I don't know what I did before these girls made my inbox implode. We have written hundreds of thousands of words together. We all wrote NaNo together. We've argued over each other's first pages, first chapters and characters' flaws. We have fallen in love with each other's love interests. Right now, I have an ongoing crush on Theron, now Kai, Lancelot and Blue. And as soon as I start Robin's NaNo, I'm sure there will be another.

We've cried in front of each other. Talked on the phone. And tweeted (did I say that right?). I was so happy when every one of these gals answered my invitation for a Writing Retreat with a resounding YES.

We spent this last weekend writing, eating chocolate, talking way too much about fictional characters and caring too much about made up stories.

And we just get it.
We understand what it means to be an artist and a writer.
We know what it means to dream.
We love something we can't stop, even if we tried.

So, I'm toasting my friends with a blackberry Italian soda with a little cream and lots of ice. Thank you for coming and imagining with me.


And, no, I can't tell you the name of the winery. We don't want another Forks on our hands, do we now. Jeesh.

Disneyland.

I spent the last few days at Disneyland. And while many people can't stand the place with its people, commercialism and, well, people. I LOVE IT.

Here's why:

It occurred to me, while I was there, that Disneyland is all about stories. It is a park based entirely on stories. Some are classics like Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Alice & Wonderland and some are newer stories like Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Toy Story. Many of the themed rides even tell a story. There's an inciting incident, rising action and a resolution. I LOVE that adults can act like kids again and kids can act like exhausted brats. I love that I hear this on a regular basis, "You're going to have fun whether you like it or not!" I love that parents suddenly have more energy than their children and I also love that you can eat cotton candy and ginormous corn dogs.

What would it be like to have your story turned into an experience? Does it cheapen it, or does it honor it by exposing it to the masses. I'm not sure, but what I do know is that any exposure to a much forgotten classic like The Wind in the Willows is a GOOD thing.

Having said all that, I am glad to be home and back to, at least, pretending to write.

What vacations do you like? Crazy or peaceful.