Returning to the Mansion

weymouth house.jpgIf you’ve followed my blog for awhile, you might remember my solo trip last year to the Weymouth House, where I was a writer-in-residence for nearly a week. It was fantastic to have that writing time to myself, though I did get a little antsy with the solitude toward the end. (On the Myers-Briggs personality test, I’m exactly in the middle between “Introvert” and “Extrovert). Anyway, I’m returning there for another residency on Saturday–this time with several fellow writers– for a few days of brainstorming storylines, tweaking characters and furious scribbling. Five of us are speaking at the library in Southern Pines on Sunday afternoon, so if you’re in the area, please join us. Here’s the article from the local paper.
The other writers and I have emailed back and forth about what we’re bringing to eat. Not anything about what we’re writing mind you–we have our priorities straight. 🙂 The one food item all our lists have in common is coffee. We plan to be awake as much as possible so we can get tons done!
Can’t wait!

12 Comments

  1. Brenda on August 22, 2007 at 7:06 pm

    I love Southern Pines. When I taught at Marlboro Co High in S.C., we went up to S. Pines at ate occasionally….(for dinner) at a nice little restaurant where I could get veggie meals–lucky…

  2. Margo on August 23, 2007 at 8:45 am

    Wish I were in NC so I could be at Southern Pines Sun (sigh…)…Would love to hear you speak Diane. I remember your blog last year about the Mansion and how much you enjoyed it. Have a wonderful time and don’t forget the peanut m&m’s…excellent with coffee! Hope we hear from you during your stay.

  3. pattie on August 23, 2007 at 9:19 am

    This sounds like heaven, and Margo–peanut M&Ms=more heaven! Diane, enjoy the Mansion, the company of fellow writers–hope you get a lot accomplished!

  4. Brenda on August 23, 2007 at 4:22 pm

    Have a wonderful time, Diane. I don’t eat sweets at all…quit them for cholesterol about 6 months ago. (The only time I give in is a little tiny bite of birthday cake with grandgirls. I was a cholcoholic…)
    I am happy that you can get away with other writers.
    Krysia–thank you-I’ll look for the book…

  5. Diane Chamberlain on August 23, 2007 at 7:14 pm

    Margo, I hadn’t forgotten about the M&Ms, but forgot I mentioned them here! I plan to get a big bag. Brenda, you have my admiration. I’ve given up chocolate from time to time, but I always slip back. Either I have to give it up totally or not at all. Just a tiny taste knocks me right off the wagon.

  6. Krysia on August 23, 2007 at 8:24 pm

    Sounds like you are going to have fun
    Brenda- you’re welcome. If anyone else wants the book and can’t find it let me know.

  7. Brenda on August 24, 2007 at 4:41 pm

    If I eat a bite, I will fall off the wagon…however…I plan in the future to treat myself to a dessert once in awhile. Right now-it has been months…I am trying to get sugar out of my body.
    When I became a vegetarian, I went cold turkey and it has been fifteen years.
    Krysia-the book arrived today-I need it after a week working at the high school-helping shelve books in new library at the school (I have no class room), doing lesson plans, etc. and teaching two college classes at night(LOVE THose…)
    I sent a check-don’t argue with me-you went to a lot of trouble for me.
    I have a football game tonight and errands and chores tomorrow and getting ready for first day high school-MONDAY…will read in my SPARE?????time…
    Looks like my YMCA will fall by the way for a few weeks.
    Brenda

  8. Diane Chamberlain on August 24, 2007 at 5:30 pm

    You people really are amazing! You don’t know each other except from this blog and you’re already helping each other out finding books.

  9. Brenda on August 25, 2007 at 5:29 pm

    Just finished the book. What a concept…I needed my D. Chamberlain “fix” today, and it was great. A woman and a cave…agoraphobia-right Diane???
    The ending was surprising…
    Your imagination boggles the mind.
    Krysia-thank you again. I appreciate it and the book looks new…
    Let me know when you get the check. You can email me again at my home address I gave you.

  10. Diane on August 25, 2007 at 11:16 pm

    Brenda, I’m so glad you enjoyed SECRET LIVES. Kate didn’t start out agoraphobic when I initially created her, but she became more so as I worked on her journal. I really related to her. It’s a challenge to distance yourself from a character when writing his or her journal.

  11. brenda on August 26, 2007 at 7:19 pm

    Diane
    My daughter, a stay-at-home-mom/teacher, is writing short stories and has an idea for a children’s book. Any ideas for the BEST how-to-write children’s stories books??? I would like to get a couple for her. She does work a couple of evenings a week at the library, and she could probably find something there. Just thought some of you might have an idea.
    My writing is on hold while I work two jobs this year.

  12. Diane Chamberlain on August 29, 2007 at 7:01 pm

    Brenda, I’m afraid I don’t know a thing about the children’s book world. Maybe someone else does?

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