Writing As A Gardener - Gloria Guest

I wasn’t able to attend this year’s Inscribe Writer’s Conference although I did attend for the first time two years ago and then again last year. In truth I haven’t really attended many conferences on writing throughout the year but if you include a few workshops here and there, a couple of writers groups etc., and a couple of sit ins as a reporter at the annual Moose Jaw Festival of Words (well worth attending) to hear an author or two read, than maybe I have something to add to this month’s topic on attending conferences etc.
Recently I saw something online that suggested writers are either an ‘architect’ or a ‘gardener’ when it comes to their work, the architect being one who steadily builds a framework for their story before they begin with beginning, ending, plot and characters all neatly worked out if not on paper than in their head. The gardener as a writer is less about following each step and more about scattering seeds amongst the soil, weeding out the plants (ideas) that don’t thrive and watering those that do. Often this type of writer doesn’t know where the story will end up exactly but still with care and discipline can end up with a great final product.
I tend towards being a gardener in my approach to writer and in fact, life. Although I admire greatly the architects and wish that I was one, whenever I have tried to change my approach to my writing, as per writing classes often suggest, my writing ends up stilted and just not ‘me.’ I do believe though that there is a lot to learn from both types of writing; both architect and gardener and writer’s conferences and other writerly functions can be great places to get both; to glean from the ideas of others. However I’ve noticed that even my approach to these meetings tends more towards gardening meaning I don’t tend to show up based on the structure of the conference, which speakers are going to be there, how many workshops or which ones. Instead I arrive with more of a desire to see what unexpected directions this conference or workshop might take me; some nugget of truth that I’ve overlooked that I can take home and water and nourish into better writing. And usually I do receive something from each one; perhaps a word of wisdom from a speaker that feels just right for me, or other times I’ve had blue pencil sessions with an author who spoke directly into my writing with suggestions of improvement or even just encouragement. Other times, it’s simply been something someone said over coffee or something someone read from their own writing that resonated with my own style and gave me new insight into myself.
Gardening though it can sound whimsical and fun is in actually a lot of hard work; albeit with much love. Planting the seeds is actually the easy part for a creative mind but then comes the tending and weeding which in real life gardening and in my writing is a weak spot for me. Often my weeds overtake me and they just seem too big to deal with. I abandon my garden in neglect. Conferences, writer’s groups and writers’ classes are a way for me to try to stay on track and I always find I do better as a writer if I am networking in at least one of these ways on a regular basis.
*You can find some of my gardenly (not a word but I kind of like it) and sometimes weedy type writing on my blog at gloriaguest@wordpress.com or follow my face book page at Gloria Lynn Guest. 

Change by Loretta Bouillon

Today I feel grateful. Sitting on my porch, looking out over the expanse of my yard, my flower pots are still in bloom, but the fall colours are in the background. The view signifies change.

I love the change of seasons here, in Northern British Columbia. Sometimes, I fantasize about living in a warm climate where there are only two seasons: sunny/hot and warm/rainy. But really, as I look out at my flowers against the background of the golden trees, there is something inside of me that feels excited about the fall. On the horizon awaits a youth conference with my teens, a little trip to see my son at university and of course Christmas will be right around the corner.

At the same time, I fight some sadness and a bit of fear as a season of my life comes to an end.  My sixteen year homeschool career is coming to a close. I struggle to let go. I struggle to re-establish my identity which used to be “homeschooling mom”. My youngest is in grade 11 at our local school, and my daughter who has just graduated has gone back for one semester to do two extra courses. So now what?

I have been hired as a “teacher on call” at the school. Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself teaching at a school especially after “retirement”!  However, I was asked if I would be interested and after praying about it I felt to give it a try. If I think about it, I am a bit terrified. But if I don’t think about it (and relax in the peace that God brought the position to me) then I’m okay. It’s really the perfect job for me as being “on call” will allow me time to write.

I also plan to get serious about my writing. To write every day, to take my personal blog in a new direction and to write according to a schedule (for those of you who know me, you would know that is my biggest challenge!). I recently attended the Inscribe Writer’s conference.  I am grateful for Melanie Fischer and Tracy Krauss who did workshops on blogging. Both of them inspired me to look at my blog with a fresh perspective. I also bought Melanie’s Fischer’s book called Ya…But How? It is for building your online platform for the “very very beginner” and I plan to make good use of it!

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I had a wonderful “blue pencil” review with Pam Mytroen. She reviewed my children’s picture book that I wrote twelve years ago about educating the young child on alcoholism and sobriety. I have tried to submit it a couple of times with the same comment received: “although we find merit in the content of this manuscript, the target audience would be too small to risk taking you on.”  I have been advised to self-publish but that means paying an illustrator and the cost is too great. Pam was so encouraging, saying that this book needs to be published. After taking her suggestions, I polished  the piece and sent it to the Canscaip (Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers) annual writing for children competition.  The ten top submissions will be sent to three major children’s publishers for consideration.  I will leave it in God’s hands now.

Change... It can be a good thing. Without God it can be scary and overwhelming but right now it’s time to smile at the memories, to let the flock fly and step into the next chapter of my life. Therefore I will look to Him for guidance each day with a thankful heart, and trust that He also wants the very best for me.