With the weather turning cold and wet, my art has turned towards the keyboard and away from the workshop so I’ve decided to change my Wednesday posts for a while and plan a few short writing updates instead of woodworking posts.
When the weather warms enough to get back into the workshop, I’ll pick up with shop updates.
Over a year ago I started on a poetry collection I’m calling The Lectionary Project
This project is writing a series of poems in response to the Gospel of Matthew. Currently I am up to poem nine out of forty-eight planned poems. At my current speed of writing on this project I expect to be done in 2024. Stay tuned for the publication announcement.
It has been a difficult project so far. I’ve done a lot of study and a lot of waiting for the right words to come my way. I’ve also been very critical of my own work and haven’t been fully satisfied with all of it. There isn’t a simple way to work through the project and I’m just moving along as I can. I have shown an early draft to a trusted friend and received good feedback. Last week I gave another copy to a different friend and am waiting for his reaction.
My novel is going nowhere due to lack of time to work on it.
Last year I didn’t attend any writing workshops or conferences as our river trip in Europe took all my vacation time. This year Heather and I have fewer vacation plans and I plan to apply for a few poetry workshops. I am hoping to find a week-long poetry workshop here in California I can attend. Writing is lonely work and from time to time you just need to find a way to improve your craft.
I did attend one two years ago and it was a positive experience. There are three I am currently looking at. When I find out which one I’m attending, I’ll let you know.
That’s it for this week.
If you need me – I’m at my desk,
Andrew
Andrew's View of the Week 
It’s probably a good sign if you are your own worst critic. 😉 I hope you find a poetry workshop you love!
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There are three I’m applying for. Hopefully one will take me.
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I think I’d sooner trust a poem that was hard-won rather than easy, especially given your subject matter. Sounds like you’re doing just fine. 👍
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and these poems are hard to win. I set myself a tough assignment with this one.
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You’re at your desk–Love it! Witty to the end.
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Well, people need to know where to find me.
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True! Where would we be w/o locating Andrew?
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So many would be lost …
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I have yet to attend a conference or workshop. The cost is too great to travel to where they’re held, let alone the cost of the event, itself. I am spending a little more time at one of the online writing groups though.
I’m a klutz at writing poems. Every once in a while I can do a free-verse one that isn’t disgusting. I envy your talent.
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Workshops aren’t for everyone. I’m lucky to live in an area where there are a number of them. Some offer scholarships for those who need help.
Everyone has their writing speciality – do what you’re best at.
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All the best and have a wonderful time with poetry writing.
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Thank you!
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Winter…writing…they go together well.
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They do.
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It seems like a very good time to be writing and staying out of a workshop. I am really interested in your Lectionary Project. Maybe you’ll surprise us and complete it a little earlier than projected. 🙂
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You never know, maybe I’ll finish it by 2021 …
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Take it one sentence at a time, Andrew. I look forward to reading your progress and learning about your writing workshops.
Ω
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I’ll be posting more about them.
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LOL, for a second when I read “keyboard” I thought you took up piano!! How was the European river trip? That is on our travel list
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Heather and I loved the trip. Got to see lots of stuff and the river ship was just pure luxury.
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Very interesting. I love the idea of the poetry book based on the Gospel of Matthew. I have never seen that before and would be one of your future readers.
I enjoy these updates from writers. It’s nice to see so many efriend writers struggling with the same stuff I am.
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Stick around, in four more years, I might have it done.
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To be a writer sounds glamorous to many people, and as you know, it is glamorous when from the publisher, we at last hold the fine little book. However, in between the first keystroke and the final word of the manuscript lies a long, arduous path. Absolutely worth it, though. Onward!
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Being a writer is only glamorous when you receive notice that you’re on the best seller list.
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I suspect I will never know, then.
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