Serenaded through the night by trains, writing retreat more than worth it

Standing:

Rhoda, Ethan, Karen, Adam, Myra.

Seated: Dennis.

Bottom Left: Myra & C. D.
Center: Karen & Pat with the piece of blue glass Karen gave Pat for her blue room.
Right: Betsy

  Debbie & Fay

             Debbie & Patricia

Another writing retreat at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum Educational Center in Piggott, Clay County, Arkansas, is history. Attended by fourteen writers from Sarasota, Florida, West Plains, Missouri, Jonesboro, Blytheville, Hot Springs Village, Beebe, Benton, and areas around the host town.

One of my children asked me the difference between Piggott and Eureka Springs—not in geographical terms, but in the writing venues each offers and to which I attend once or twice each year.

Let me digress and address this question: At Eureka Springs’ Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow, writers are assigned an in-house suite for the length of their stay. From the point of moving in, you (the writer) are like a roomer: free to do your own things on your own schedule. The only common time with other residents is weekday evenings at six for on-site prepared meals by the Colony staff.

At the HP retreat, you secure your own lodging. Several of us stay at The Inn in Piggott, formerly the Downtown Inn. It provides breakfast, plus a common fridge and microwave. At least three drove from Jonesboro each day.

The daily schedule begins at nine with two hours of mentor-provided ideas and discussions. C. D. Albin, professor at Missouri State University in West Plains, served as this year’s mentor.

At eleven o’clock each day, the mentor begins 15-minute segments of one-on-one in a quiet back office, while some fan out to other writing spots around the grounds and buildings, or stay in the conference room. I stayed in the big room each day and was pleased that there was not one writer who talked loudly, or coughed constantly.

Lunch was served by the staff at noon, and we ate around the “big” table. Visiting happened here. At one p.m., we had another hour of private writing time and/ or mentor moments. The final hour each day was a sharing of our work; a read-around. Those who asked for comments after their readings got them.

Dinner (or supper) was on our own. Several went to the various eateries in the town, but I “ate in,” having brought food from home. Most days, I could manage a nap before supper. Then I would catch up on the computer news, emails, Facebook, etc. After that, I hit the books, uh, assignments.

The first day dealt with “conflict, crisis, resolution.” Luckily, I was at just such a place in the memoir I’m working on where I remembered an event that showed this assignment perfectly.

Next, “dialogue” in all its various possibilities. Not only words, but body language, tone, silences, even arrangement of words. I began such a scene to appear near the end of said memoir.

“Setting” was the next subject. It can be more than physical. It can be our emotional terrain. An idea came: Write about the house (Couchwood) from the viewpoint of the three generations who have lived here thus far.

Thursday’s subject was “Creative Non-Fiction” with examples of titles and authors.

 Friday, the mentor talked about “Poetry” and poets. “Writing poetry hones your fiction writing,” Dr. Albin said. I can attest to that.

Another week of inspiration, nudges to keep on the task you’ve begun, and good memories. I’m already signed up for the fall retreat and made reservations at the Inn.

Now, to put all these learnings and inspirations into play from day to day.

c 2017 by PL dba lovepat press