Day 8 at Nimrod Hall Writers’ Workshop

NIMROD HALL TRAVEL LOG

Day 8

En route from Hot Springs to Nimrod, I paused at Warm Springs. What were once known as the Warm Springs Baths are now called the Jefferson Pools because Thomas Jefferson so often took the waters here. This is the men’s bathing house, built in 1761.

men's bathing house at Jefferson Pools, Warm Springs, Virginia

In 1836, a separate Ladies Pool House was opened, fed by a separate spring. The roof of the octagonal Ladies Pool House is open to the sky. The water is always 98 degrees. Bathing suits are optional. I love it! Both NETTIE’S BOOKS and “War and Murder at Nimrod Hall” have scenes set at the Jefferson Pools.

Ladies bathing house at Jefferson Pools, Warm Springs, Virginia

I was back at Nimrod before the Week 2 writers arrived.

Empty porch at Nimrod Hall Summer Arts Program

I reset my workspace and polished my memoir a bit. But I also had time for the sort of nature Nimrod is known for.

Nature at Nimrod Hall: a brown moth

Week 2 is a more intimate group, 7 total. I had the foresight to ask permission to talk about them on-line, and so will be introducing you to individuals this week.

This week, everyone knows each other to some degree, so we skipped introductions and went directly to “brag time” talk about the year’s accomplishments. Since last Nimrod, I’ve had 5 short stories published, plus the DIFFERENT DRUMMER collection–very gratifying!

Book cover of Different Drummer: A Collection of Off-Beat Fiction by Vivian Lawry

We talked about goals for the week. Cathy Hankla (this week’s writer-in-residence) read from her forthcoming book. Charlotte Morgan (who administers the writing workshops ms is writer-in-residence for Week 3) read from the novel she is writing. More about both of them later, but you might want to check them out online.

Full moon over Nimrod Hall Summer Arts Program and Writers' Workshop

Returning to Square House under the Nimrod moon, I smiled. The words “incest” and “orgasm” have already been uttered. The topics of “gender-fluid” identity and hashtags have been broached, along with art in place and environmental conservation. It’s going to be that kind of week! 😊

Nimrod Hall, established in 1783, has been providing summer respite from everyday stress since 1906. It has been operating as an artist and writer colony for over 25 years. The Nimrod Hall Summer Arts Program is a non-competitive, inspirational environment for artists to create without the distractions of everyday life. The 2015 Writers’ Workshop writers-in-residence are Sheri Reynolds, Cathryn Hankla, and Charlotte G. Morgan

NIMROD HALL TRAVEL LOG POSTS

Off to Nimrod Hall 

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 3 at Nimrod Hall Writers’ Workshop

Nimrod Hall Travel Log

Day 3

Yesterday was a tough writing day. I couldn’t control the movements of my cursor–no creating, editing, or even printing documents. At a writing workshop! I tried everything I or others could think of. By late afternoon I was ready to pull my flat hair out by the roots. But as I was starting to unplug the @!*#¥ thing, I noticed how hot it was. Could it possibly be suffering heat stroke? What you see below is The Fix: four travel-size bars of soap elevating my laptop and allowing air flow.

Laptop on soap during day 3 at Nimrod Hall Writers Workshop

BTW, this big wooden table isn’t the one I brought from home. Between last year and this, “my” room in Square House was gifted with this table and an arm chair. Whoopee!

Rain this morning prevented my before-breakfast walk, so no scenic views along Nimrod Lane or the Cowpasture River–but there’s still time!

Anyway, great writing today. Yesterday’s workshop feedback inspired me to create a more powerful ending for my memoir. I think it will be ready to send out soon!

UPDATE: Nimrod Hall, established in 1783, has been providing summer respite from everyday stress since 1906. It has been operating as an artist and writer colony for over 25 years. The Nimrod Hall Summer Arts Program is a non-competitive, inspirational environment for artists to create without the distractions of everyday life. The 2015 Writers’ Workshop writers-in-residence are Sheri ReynoldsCathryn Hankla, and Charlotte G. Morgan

Nimrod Hall Travel Log Posts

Off to Nimrod 

Day 1

Day 2

“Beast and the Beauty” is in Clare Literary Magazine

Painting of eyes looking at viewer
Art throughout Volume 16 of Clare by Katie Chandler.

There’s been a lot of great news lately. I’m delighted to share that my short story “Beast and the Beauty” is in the Spring 2015 issue (Volume 16) of Clare Literary Magazine, a publication of Cardinal Stritch University.

You can read “Beast and the Beauty” and the full issue for free by CLICKING HERE.

Thank you to the Editorial Team at Clare Literary Magazine.

Beast and the Beauty
Click the text to read the rest of “Beast and the Beauty” in Clare Literary Magazine.

 

National Short Story Month

national short story month, granny gave me a round tuit
Granny gave me a round tuit.

As National Short Story Month comes to a close, I’m reminded short stories come in many dimensions. “For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.” is at one extreme. This story is usually attributed to Ernest Hemingway, though that is unsubstantiated.

That flash fiction inspired Smith Magazine to put out a call to readers, which resulted in Not Quite What I was Planning: six-word memoirs by writers famous & obscure. Subsequently, Smith Magazine edited another volume, It All Changed In An Instant: more six-word memoirs by writers famous & obscure. Those six-word entries could inspire an incredible number of short stories for writers who go longer than flash-fiction. Or how about your own six-word nugget? You might become addicted to these mini-morsels. Mine is “Granny gave me a round tuit.”