101 Workshop/ Fall 2010 (Tentatively)
Beachside 101 at a glance
What: A two-day Beachside Writers Workshop with founder Bob Welch. It’ll be a relaxing and inspiring weekend that will appeal to the fiction and non-fiction writer alike. (This will be our ninth workshop in the last five years.)
Who: A maximum of 25 beginning and intermediate writers — you needn’t be published — whose idea of a good time is waves, words and wild discussions about everything from writer’s block to writer’s ecstasy.
When: Tentatively planned for Fall 2010.
Where: Yachats Commons, Yachats, Ore., on the central Oregon coast.
Why: To help you write better, believe in yourself and realize that in small, but significant, ways, your words can change the world.
Cost: $199*. More info: E-mail Bob Welch or phone 541-517-3936. Web: www.bobwelch.NET.
* Does not include lodging. For accommodations, see http://www.yachats.org/lodging.html
What they’re saying
“I immensely enjoyed every moment (especially the French silk pie!). I sat quietly in the back and just soaked up as much info as I could, completely out of my comfort zone. However, it’s good for me to get out of my comfort zone. It builds character.” — Jeanne Schneider, Eugene. “100% wonderful.” — Pat Gariepy, Eugene. “Fun, informative, humorous and functional ... I was inhaling facts and food at nearly the same rate!” — Jean Glausi, Eugene. “Each year the Beachside Writers Workshop is like an inspirational kick in the pants for me. The instruction if fun-filled and practical, and the food outrageous.” — Kirk Kneeland, Eugene. “Great to network with others struggling to find the motivation, tools and confidence to become better writers. Well worth the price!” — Judie Hansen, Eugene. “Beachside clarified my goals as a writer and offered superb advice, encouraging me to grow. Give yourself a gift: attend this workshop.”— Michelle Koehn. “One of the most meaningful, memorable weekends in my entire life ... Bob gave me one of the most precious gifts anyone has ever given me: validation as a writer! ” — Cara Zane McKenzie, Eugene.
Tentative Schedule
FRIDAY
6:30 p.m. — Registration, munch, settle in.
7:00 p.m. — Session 1: “The Joy & Power of Words.” (Includes a break.)
9:15 p.m. — Campfire s’mores!
SATURDAY
8 a.m. — Coffee. 8:30 a.m. — Light breakfast. 9 a.m. — Session 2: “Ideas, research, focus.”
10:15 a.m. — 15-minute break.
10:30 a.m. — Session 3: “Beginnings, showing, details.
11:45 a.m. — Session 4: Groups on challenges of writing.
12:30 a.m. — Oregon Coast Lunch, free time. 1:30 p.m. — Session 5: Foreshadowing, simplifying, humor, emotion.
2:45 p.m. — 15-minutes break.
3 p.m. — Session 6: Putting pen to paper.
4 p.m. — 15-minute break.
4:15 p.m. — Reading (optional), final questions.
5 p.m. — To infinity and beyond.
Eight things you can expect
1. INSPIRATION. Some writers workshops are about ego and pride. Not Beachside. We’re about you becoming a better writer. About believing in yourself. About you, period — whether you’re a published author or just want to write a way-cool memoir. All in a relaxing, supportive atmosphere.
2. COASTAL CUISINE. Food is to the Beachside Writers Workshop what a tailgater is to football: a necessary ingredient. Our staff will serve a Saturday breakfast and lunch with the kind of excellence that puts t a nice exclamation marks on Beachside weekends.
3. WELCH. This isn’t like one of those sports camps where they promise you Mike Bellotti and you get, instead, some graduate assistant. Bob will lead all sessions and be on hand to answer your questions in our between-sessions time.
4. EARS TO LISTEN. It’s hard making a comment or getting an answer to a question when you’re one of 200 people in some hotel ballroom. At Beachside, with a 25-person limit, Bob welcome comments, questions — anything but airborne fruit.
5. LAUGHTER. At Beachside, we believe at least two things about writing: That it is more difficult than, say, getting the Eugene City Council to agree on anything. And that, nevertheless, it should be fun. If you don’t have a sense of humor, come anyway. Maybe we’ll convert you.
6. STORIES. Bob has written 11 books, thousands of essays and dozens of magazine articles. You’ll learn from his experiences. And from you’re own, as you’ll have the chance to discuss writing topics with other writers like yourself.
7. S’MORES. It’s a Beachside tradition: roasting marshmallows — sometimes even in one of those cool Oregon Coast sideways winds! And dessert after lunch Saturday will be one of Bob’s famous chocolate silk pies, voted “Best Pie By a Writing Instructor” in “Writer’s Digest” magazine.
8. A T-SHIRT TO IMPRESS THE FOLKS BACK HOME. We want you to take home knowledge, inspiration and memories. But that’s not all. We want you to have a notebook and a classy Beachside t-shirt with our motto: “Metaphors be with you!”