If it wasn't for Twitter then I wouldn't have learned ...
... how Waterstones in Lewes (East Sussex) has a section dedicated to short stories
... that the Lewes Short Story Club meet there (10-12noon) on the first Sunday of every month to read and discuss 3 short stories (and their writers) ... I've subsequently learned coffee and cake may be involved.
... how the Club (organised by mega talented superwoman, Holly Dawson) was running a Short Story workshop with Vanessa Gebbie on Saturday (9 April)
... that the workshop would be held at Railway Land, a secret and very special nature reserve right in the heart of Lewes (definitely a place I need to explore further)
... that I would meet a whole new bunch of writers (aged from 16 to 93. Yes, 93 and still writing. Ruth was an inspiration to us all!) - short story lovers who keenly soaked up Vanessa's wisdom
... from the morning workshop how I've missed writing really short stories and flash fiction and I need to make time for other writing projects (as well as the novel!)
So you can see I'd probably land on the side of Twitter as a 'Useful Tool'. I've also met lots of lovely people in the Twitterverse. Many who are becoming friends and others who I'll never meet, but I still feel some kinship with simply because they are writers. You can celebrate others' success, cheer friends on with their challenges or commiserate when those dreaded rejections come in. Yes, it can be hijacked by political commentators or trolls, but you don't have to follow them or read their tweets. You can use Twitter as you wish.
Now I'll be watching my Twitter timeline for news of the next Lewes Short Story Club meeting, as I really hope to join in with the short story natter. Sounds a perfect way to spend Sunday morning and perhaps I can persuade hubby to come along - with the promise of lunch somewhere in Lewes afterwards...Finally, the workshop inspired LitPig to start reading Lydia Davis's collection of very very short stories: Can't and Won't. Davis is either barking mad or a genius. I think she may be both. This is a brilliant collection. Imaginative, whimsical and funny - VERY FUNNY.
LitPig also highly recommends Short Circuit, a collection of essays on the craft of short story writing (edited by Vanessa Gebbie). This was my bible during the MA and often quoted in module assignments. Definitely, one guide every short story writer needs on their bookshelf.
I like Twitter too. It can waste our time - but so does watching TV, Facebook, playing computer games, housework ...
ReplyDeleteAgree. But it all helps to fuel the writing, Patsy :)
DeleteI love both Twitter and Short Circui too, Tracy. Often guilty of spending too much time on the former, but it has produced so many great friends and so much interesting and useful knowledge about hundreds of inspirational things. xxx
ReplyDeleteHave to agree with the time aspect, Joanna. when I have a tea break (far too often when writing) I have a quick flick to Twitter before I start writing again.
DeleteI love both Twitter and Short Circui too, Tracy. Often guilty of spending too much time on the former, but it has produced so many great friends and so much interesting and useful knowledge about hundreds of inspirational things. xxx
ReplyDeleteI agree that Short Circuit is very useful. I went to one of Vanessa Gebbie's talks several years ago at the Winchester Lit Fest. Good speaker, lots of advice.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Veronica. She was an excellent workshop host and I really enjoyed Vanessa's writing exercises, which is something I usually hate.
DeleteThanks for the 'mention', Tracy! I spend too much time on Twitter but I don't watch (too) much tele', or play on computer games, so it's a pretty innocent 'vice'!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Helen. I enjoyed your post.
DeleteThough I have yet to find my way into Twitter land, I have discovered Lydia Davis and agree that she is very quirky and almost impossible to categorize, but highly recommended. Next stop is to order Short Circuit. :) It would be lovely to hear about your Master's experience. Where did you study and how did you find it?
ReplyDeleteHi Edith, thanks for popping by. Good to meet another Lydia Davis fan. Definitely recommend Short Circuit if you write short stories. Re MA - I did mine at Chichester uni (2.5 yrs part-time. I may do a longer post about the experience closer to graduation.
DeleteI think you might be the exception that proves the rule.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you're not a Twitter fan, Julia. It took me some time to love it so perhaps give it another try.
DeleteYou must tell me more about the Lewes Short Story Club when I next see you. The work shop sounds inspiring.
ReplyDeleteWill do, Wendy. Now shouldn't you be out on some mountain top having fun ...
DeleteHello Wendy! Holly from Lewes Short Story Club here! We'd love to see you at one of our reading or writing events. Our next free and informal Reading Club is on Sunday 8 May at Lewes Waterstones. We'll be reading James Salter, Diane Cook and John Updike. Our next writing workshop is on Saturday 14 May with Tom Vowler, looking at sense of place in short stories. Hope you can come! http://www.lewesshortstory.co.uk/
DeleteThat's a great story about the advantages of twitter, Tracy. I love it as it's short and snappy and I've met so many lovely people on it. The short story group sounds brilliant.
ReplyDelete