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Christopher Lay
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Writer's Workshop and Short Story

On a whim, I signed up for a writing workshop last Friday led by Linda Jaivin, an Australian writer about to publish her eighth book.  Linda is most well known for her erotic novel, Eat Me, that took the literary world by storm when it first came out in 1995.  I'd never read any of her books, but the workshop seemed like a good way to meet people and get inspired to write at the same time, so off I went.

Upon meeting Linda, I knew the workshop would be fun; she has a larger than life personality that filled the room.  While I suspect she held back so as not to offend members of the group, she still managed to "demystify writing" while keeping up her energy and good humor.  I should mention that Linda first visited Beijing in 1980, is fluent in Mandarin and loves the Chinese culture.  Her books traverse erotica, fiction, history, biography and even science fiction. Author Linda Jaivin led the workshop with a good deal of stagecraft. The portraits of previous visiting authors helped establish the mood for the workshop at the Bookworm.

Sunlight and hot beverages kept the chill of a blustery day at bay. The workshop was held at the Bookworm, a local bookstore, library, cafe and bar.  In 2008, the Bookworm won the award for best place to get a date in Beijing and I don't doubt that it is.  There were 13 women in the workshop and the only other guy was Ton, a Dutchman over 50.  The odds were in my favor.   Our group had quite the background including an Australian photographer named Catherine Croll and Anna Sophie Loewenberg, the star and creator of Sexy Beijing.  I hope to get them both addicted to AnD soon. The profile of Sexy Beijing star, Anna Sophie Lowenberg. And her laptop accessories.

I won't bore you with my notes, but we played the Exquisite Corpse (writing game where each person adds a line to the previous person's story), did some sensual writing (i.e. using the senses), character exercises, wrote a love letter, ate a fantastic lunch and wrote a short story - 6 words short.  Linda's mantra, set some time to write and do it.  Even if it is crap, write it down.  You can always edit later.  And write what you know and love, even if you must learn the subject.  There was more, of course, but that's enough. 

So here's my short story from the workshop:

Death knocked.

Jane answered.

Wrong house.

If you would like to know more about Linda Jaivin, click her name.  Oh, the attendees formed a writing group, so hopefully my writing will improv. 

almost 16 years ago 0 likes  12 comments  0 shares
Photo 34128
I don't normally post replies here, but there is something about Flagday and Jaine's comments that warrant a public response. My spelling is atrocious and were it not for spell check programs, the whole wurld would know it. However, I don't think we should confuse writing with spelling. Spelling is certainly a component of writing, but bad spelling does not mean one cannot write creatively and brilliantly. It is probably one of the easiest things to fix on your own using a computer. Style, story, plot, character development, emotion, humor, these are things that the computer cannot help you with. Not much anyway. So if you've got the bug, write, even if your spelling is rong. Get it down on paper or screen and out of your brain. You might have the next great novel, play, short story, article, review, poem or post locked away waiting to get out. Alright, rants over.
almost 16 years ago
Mariejost 26 dsc00460
Chris, do you have something specific in mind that you want to write? If it isn't a specific project, yet, then what drew you to writing? Your're a photographer, right? So, right now you tell your stories with images. Believe me, that is just as important as telling stories with words and, honestly, I think it might be harder. Words are cheap, and we are trained in language and writing since we are very young. Images, on the other hand, surround us but we are taught very little about the nature of creating and interpreting images. (This I say with some authority as an art historian.) Don't sell your skill with visual storytelling short. It is much rarer than the verbal kind.
almost 16 years ago

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Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. - Will C.

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Languages Spoken
english, spanish
Location (City, Country)
Beijing, China
Gender
male
Member Since
July 16, 2007