I left the beach yesterday afternoon–it was one of those beautiful days, a gorgeous breeze, white caps on the horizon, blue skies with cotton candy clouds–and I’m not gonna lie. I did not want to leave the beach.
But duty called. As in a writing workshop I’d signed on for–and paid in full. With Marietta B. Zacker from the Nancy Gallt Literary Agency. (It was on characters and how they affect story and why characters matter. Mostly.)
And just between us, I was not driving over to that workshop with a cheery heart. My heart was a bit whiny, and my lip might even have been poking out about a mile. All I could think about was how great it would be, sitting in my beach chair, with the clouds and the waves and the breezes. But then I saw a passel of writer friends–and the cotton candy clouds flitted away. And I started listening to Marietta and the breezes blew right past me. I went to lunch at the Dekalb Farmer’s Market with a couple friends and even when I saw the fresh crabs, I didn’t remember to pout. And by the time I had a one-on-one consultation with Marietta, I could not for the life of me recall why I didn’t want to go to that workshop.
The beach, I expect, will still be there when I go down to the sea again. But Marietta Zacker? Best get her while you can. She’s that good.
And P.S. I wrote about how to keep fit as a writer yesterday at the Muffin. Though technically, I didn’t exactly share how to keep fit as much as I asked you to share how you keep fit. But having just returned from the beach, I can say that taking a couple days off did wonders for my aching back. Now if I could just work that sand-and-surf break into my exercise regimen…)
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
Cathy–It’s amazing how energized and passionate we get about writing. I’m glad you had such a great time at the workshop. (I imagine you will blog about it soon–at least I hope you do.)
Well…I’m afraid I’m off to another workshop, Sioux, so that’s probably all you’ll get on Marietta from me. Just know that if you see her name on the schedule of a workshop, sign up! She’s definitely worth the price of admission!
I’m glad you go to Marietta’s workshop. Writing workshops beat the sea any day of the week, I think. However, they may not beat poems about the sea and the vagrant gypsy life. Love that poem.
Oh, I’ve always loved that poem, too, Sally. And I love that you got the reference. š
You are such a busy gal. Saw your article over at Sasee, too. Congratulations.
Oh, thanks for reminding me about Sasee, Linda–I’ve been busy, all right, but no busier than you! š
Ahh, the beach. *sigh* It’s easy to understand why you didn’t want to leave, and easy to understand why the workshop made you glad you went. The beach and writing, two of my favorite things. š Now I’m off to the Muffin!
And I read how you exercise religiously, Lisa. I salute you! š
It’s interesting how when we are doing one thing, we really don’t want to give it up, until we do and then we are glad we did.
Exactly, Lynn. Humans are a fickle bunch, aren’t they? š
It took great muscles of willpower to get off that beach and into your car, I’m sure. Beaches are heaven. But it sounds as if the workshop was heavenly, too.
Oh, it was heavenly, Suzanne. In both cases. š