Friday, September 28, 2012

Immersion Class

I'm in Colorado in a charming log cabin on a mountain. Yes, it's pretty great! A perfect birthday present.

The flight was uneventful until the landing. I'd taken a nap, opened my eyes and looked out the window. We were on our way down. Next thing I know we're climbing. We'd been waved off and told to go around. Funny how the energy in the aircraft changed and suddenly people started talking to one another! Turns out the aircraft before us was too slow getting off the runway.

I was the last of the Immersion class to arrive, and they were wall waiting for me when I got off the train and Denver International Airport. Margie Lawson is our hostess extraordinaire (along with her husband Tom who made us a delicious dinner.) Lori Freeland and Elizabeth Cockle are the other participants and super nice.

We went from the airport to do something a little touristy—Red Rocks Amphitheater. It was so pretty out there. We walked around and took pictures and enjoyed the views and the nice weather. The perfect way to unwind after a flight.

The cabin was next. I walked in and saw all the moose decor and felt right at home. (Norwegian Elkhounds are called Moose Dogs!) There were two little daschounds, Thalia and Calypso, to greet us. We spent a little time getting settled than it was straight to work.

The assignment:  Find cliches in your manuscript.

I opened my binder containing my work-in-progress Bachelor of the Year. Guess what? It opens with a cliche, but I got the Margie stamp of approval because I'm playing off a cliche. Huge sigh of relief because I like the opening! For any writers reading this, Margie used some of our examples (including a couple before and after rewriting last night) in a blog she has out today on axing cliches. Go here to read more.

Lori and Elizabeth are from Toronto and Texas so they were ahead timewise. They called it a night while I kept working. A deadline bearing down on my also helps keep me awake and get me up early this morning.

I can't wait to see what we're going to do today!

Hope you have a great Friday!