There is a point in your life where you have to find something of substance (that doesn't involve the vices of drinking, smoking, and fornicating). Not to say these things are bad but there's only so much of each you can do before you end up going, "what the fuck was I thinking mixing the three?"
Pictured Here: None of the above
Where is the next big thing? For me it has been my career path (that whole writing thing) and the art (to some) of cooking. But where the two meet something special happens(ed). Well sort of but I am missing some pictures and videos of this but it happens. During the cooking process chickens were cut, rice was boiled, wonton (of a lazy variety) were rolled, and oil was to be boiled.
Except that part where I forgot what types of oil works best and how long to leave things in there for. Fact is I nearly set the fire alarm off in the landing (yes, like the assholes did in Galloway) and created some stale-ish tasting wontons.
But from there I learned from it. It was an atmosphere that was comforting and oddly laid back. Unlike the class workshops, where some mutual respect is lost, there were a lot of open ideas and a sense of pride going around. Superiority wasn't a word. We all have our strengths in the workshop (also a shout out to Robbie for a nicely done story) and we all know what each other is capable of.
Out of this friday night I saw my fellow workshoppers communicate and be into each other. I also could recount the following while I was off to the side cooking.
The workshop is a place of peace and strange harmony. Heather's look into things (smart, funny, violent) lead us all to laughs and good times.
Robbie leads with a silent poise and strong openness to suggestions that reminds me of why we come to workshop. To pull from each other's brains and see what reaction we get to our written words. Whether we have a subtext or secret agenda, or we just want to blow someone's brain out of their dick (or vagina) with an awesome story; we all have a natural talent in this group.
Elizabeth uses a strong voice and characters of a certain nature (that makes both in class and out of class something for others to strive for). Also, strong images are all over her pieces and that is good for those non-minimal writers.
Ali finds the realism and credibility in our work as well as working through the plot. Also keeps motivation working for those who have lost it (most likely the guy typing this being one of them).
Rebecca provided a good laugh and also called out the little details that made our works great.
My workshop was lackluster (due to sickness from doctors visits) so I focused on the meal instead. My fondest memory of workshopping definitely came from the post Hunger Games meal at Fat Tony's. I could bring craft in and some ideas on how to write. I think that most people have great stories, though some are not in their best form, and I want to see what people can do with them. Even the stories I've leaned in to my fellow workshoppers and said, "I think this is shitty." On the inside I scream for people to write these stories and get the words out that they NEED to say.
So where does food play in to all of this?
This is food, right?
Well, the chaos of all of us. The violent stories, the insane characters, the real and the painful plots, and the love people lose in what we write. It is something of that chaotic harmony, that the food fits in with.
The dish was rice, chicken, peppers, tomatoes, onions, appetizers, and desserts. Things that work in different harmonies and form one dish that brought all of the elements together. Like our workshop, it was destructive, it was loving, it was hating, it was everything into a melting pot.
I sat on a window sill and took pictures while I ate. The faces, the laughter, and the conversation. I listened to what others said and the workshop working. It was both a moving and enlightening meal (no, really). We had all the things we wanted in the room and some of the best story tellers in the UNCW area (minus our fun, eccentric professors).
So, where did that leave me? To think about all of this and wonder, what is the next thing for us all? Not just to be a mishmashed rice dish but to be that strong cut of meat or perfectly mixed drink that we all should be remembered by for our work. The future is bright, and I'm not kissing your asses about this, but the talent pool we have makes me proud to know you all.
To my Uncensored Writer's Workshop, you're all fucking brilliant.
So, where did that leave me? To think about all of this and wonder, what is the next thing for us all? Not just to be a mishmashed rice dish but to be that strong cut of meat or perfectly mixed drink that we all should be remembered by for our work. The future is bright, and I'm not kissing your asses about this, but the talent pool we have makes me proud to know you all.
To my Uncensored Writer's Workshop, you're all fucking brilliant.
