Enough with the Solitude Already!

Well, let’s see. I got home yesterday (Saturday) afternoon, and wow, was I ready! I had a fantastic and productive week. The Weymouth experience was incredible–it’s amazing how much I can get done when I have no TV, boyfriend, radio, newspaper, dogs or Internet nearby. The two other writers–former strangers to me–and I kept mostly to ourselves, focused on our writing. Friday evening, though, I went out with one of them for dinner. It was one of those connections I believe only women truly get to experience. By the time dinner is over, you each know 95% of the other’s personal history and have shared sympathy and advice. But those two hours of extroversion completely destroyed my ability to get back to work. I spent the rest of the evening packing and took off for home the next morning. So, I’ve learned my limit of productive time in isolation is four and a half days. I would not do well in prison. I did 45 rough pages and am very pleased with the whole experience. Now it’s back to reality. I’ll be at the Opium Den in the morning. . .

5 Comments

  1. Krysia on November 5, 2006 at 11:30 pm

    I worked in a prison. They had more amenities (sp?) than i do. It was like an adult daycare. Glad you made progress last week. Can’t wait to hear more about the story.

  2. Margo on November 6, 2006 at 9:14 am

    What a wonderful experience you had Diane. I loved seeing all the pics and am especially fond of the artists studio! I was curious if you usually travel to an out of the way place to start the body of your novel? I think it’s a fabulous way to be creative…

  3. Diane Chamberlain on November 6, 2006 at 10:54 am

    No, Margo, I usually don’t have that opportunity. This came at the perfect time.
    krysia, maybe I’d do okay in prison then. But I hope never to find out.

  4. Alexandra Sokoloff on November 7, 2006 at 8:08 am

    Hmm… I wonder if those are connections that only women get to experience. Maybe you’re right – a man and a woman can have a connection like that but there’s almost always sex involved, whether or not it goes all the way. But does that make it less real?
    I’m very jealous of Weymouth… I think it’s a fantastic idea to go.

  5. Diane Chamberlain on November 7, 2006 at 12:16 pm

    Hi Alex! You know you’re eligible to go to Weymouth since your pubbed and now live in NC. I’ll probably go again in a few months.
    As to the connections, you’ve got me thinking. I think men and women can form a strong connection without the sexual undercurrent, but I still think it’s different and easier for two women because of so many shared life/relationship experiences simply by virtue of being female. Did you ever see the one-man show Defending the Caveman with Rob Becker? (absolutely wonderful show!) He says that when he sees two women talking together, he watches them lean closer to one another so it takes less time for the words to get from speaker to listener and they can fit more information into the conversation. he’s joking of course, but there’s something to be said for it.

Leave a Comment