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Five things I learned while teaching at Odyssey

Last month I was a guest lecturer at the annual Odyssey Writing Workshop. It's a truism that a teacher learns as much if not more than her students, so I thought I'd share what I learned from the experience. Some were new, while others were things that I already knew, but needed to be reminded of, much in the same way that every New Year's Eve I relearn why champagne and I don't mix.

- The best way to learn something is to teach it
- Deadlines and real life don't always mix
- There is no one true way
- Avoid the trap of comparing yourself to others
- There is no substitute for the energy you get from being around other writers

( Click here to read the full essay )

When I was at Odyssey last week, one of the comments I kept hearing from students was how much they enjoyed the in person aspect of critiquing, and how they struggled to find suitable writers groups in their hometowns. I sympathized with their struggles-- in Binghamton I'd been part of an active critique group that had started with my best friend and then our primary recruiting ground was Waldenbooks employees who were also writers (I'm looking at you Joshua, Tracy and April...) But when I moved to New Hampshire, it was only through the kindness of a mutual friend that I connected with local genre writers. Strangely enough we found that we'd all been at Boskone just a few weeks before, but hadn't run into each other. The next time I go to a con, I'm wearing a shirt that says "I'm from New Hampshire" to make these connections easier.

But rather than relying on cons, what we need is an online matchmaking tool that hooks writers up with potential critique partners. Modeled off eHarmony, where you begin by entering your geographic location and genres and then answer compatibility questions such as:



Really the only surprising thing is that no one has thought of this before.

I'm very pleased to announce that I'll be a guest instructor at next year's Odyssey Writing Workshop, held in Manchester, New Hampshire. I really enjoyed my first time as a lecturer in 2009, and was excited when they invited me to return for next year.

The 2013 workshop runs from June 10th through July 19th. Early applications are due January 31st, 2013, and regular applications are due April 8th, 2013. Lecturers include Nancy Holder (writer-in-residence), Holly Black, Patricia Bray, Adam-Troy Castro, Jack Ketchum and Sheila Williams.

Fun fact-- during my first stint as a guest lecturer at Odyssey, I explained to the students that I was a novel writer, and had no recent experience with short stories. I've since gone on to publish a short story and co-edit two fantasy anthologies, so I'll have a new skillset to bring to the table.

This past summer at the Odyssey Workshop I discussed the role of sidekicks in fiction, as part of an overall discussion of character-driven writing. The talk went over so well that they turned it into a two part podcast. The first part is now up on their website here.

Once I got past the kneejerk reaction to hearing my own voice (OMG! Hyperactive squirrel!) I was pleased with how it turned out.

Next week I'll be giving my guest lecture at the 2009 Odyssey Workshop.. My topic is on characterization, specifically the hero/sidekick relationship in fantasy. I've been working on my talk for the past couple of weeks (so far I've resisted putting together Powerpoint slides, but given my corporate training I may inevitably succumb.)

I'll be starting the discussion with examples of sidekicks, and have come up with some of my favorites:

Gilgamesh / Enkidu (gotta love the classics)
Frodo / Sam
Holmes / Watson
Spenser / Hawk (Robert B. Parker series)
Batman / Robin (or Batman / Alfred, depending on which universe/version)
Dr. Who / Companion
Devlin / Stephen (as the author I know what I was trying to do with this one)

So, any suggestions? Favorite hero / sidekick pairings I should be sure not to overlook? Fantasy works best, but I'm open to all genres/mediums.

What could be cooler than this?*

Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop 2009
Odyssey is one of the most highly respected workshops for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror writers. Top authors, editors, and agents serve as guest lecturers, and fifty-three percent of graduates go on to be published. The workshop, held annually on the campus of Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH, combines an intensive learning and writing experience with in-depth feedback on students' manuscripts. Odyssey is for developing writers whose work is approaching publication quality and for published writers who want to improve their work. Director Jeanne Cavelos is a former senior editor at Bantam Doubleday Dell and winner of the World Fantasy Award.

This summer's workshop runs from June 8 through July 17. Guest lecturers are bestselling author Jeffrey A. Carver; award-winning authors Melissa Scott, Patricia Bray, and Jack Ketchum; and Ace/Roc Editor-in-Chief Ginjer Buchanan. The writer-in-residence is New York Times bestselling author Carrie Vaughn. The application deadline is April 8. For more information, visit www.odysseyworkshop.org or call (603) 673-6234.


*And, of course, you'll get to meet me :-)