Craig Clevenger Returns for the last Shotgun Workshop Intensive for 2009!

Three classes in one year? WOW
How many of each class are new writers and how many are people just taking it again, anyone know?

Man, I really want to do this again, but I think I should let people who haven't had a chance to yet do it.

I need money. Fucking always the case.

I'd say about a third of the students have studied with Craig before in one of the Hotseat Intensives. Lots of familiar faces, yes.

Trust me to cut my hours at work just before this comes up.

one word

CREDIT CARD

seriously, i don't usually advocate spending like that but

DO IT

We'll see if i can pull something together in the next couple of days.

I'm a bit too impulsive and already bought mine. I've been wanting to do this for a while, was dancing and dancing around the last two, but when i finally struck, the iron was cold. Now, I guess, I have to write something.

That would be my advice, yes.

Eddy, I can't advocate going deeper into debt, or creating hardship for yourself, but just so you know the receipt is from "A Writer's Cult, LLC"...a bit more legit sounding.

I had signed up, and was looking forward to it, but unfortunately, something came up, and I wasn't going to be able to put full effort into it, so I got a refund, and I figured I'll let someone else who has the time to devote take advantage of the opportunity.

I can't wait I can't wait I can't wait!

Wait! I need more time to prepare. This going to be intense.

Fano? : (

You'll be fine Matthew, take a deep breath and don't do anything but write, eat and sleep (very little of that sleep nonsense by the way) for the next 10 days and you'll be just FINE.

Hi Mirka,

Having enquired prior, am I on a (or should that be, the) waiting list for this? Unt, being poor white trash with prior interest and a Premium Member, am I eligible for the two discounts? And finally, being a poor white trash limey -- how does affect these conference calls-majiggamy? And it's my birthday this week - will Craig sing me Happy Birthday poppping out of a cake?

Thankee

Matt, I'm really glad you're doing this. People tend to find out they're capable of more than what they thought when the right kind of pressure and circumstances are present. Just man up and kick some ass in there.

Fano, if you're not going to do the intensive, you should at least watch "Back to the Future."

-BT-

mavtj,

I thought I emailed everyone on the waiting list over a week ago. If I overlooked you, I am very, very sorry.

Yes, you are eligible for both discounts. Just hop in.

I don't believe there will be any singing, but you never know.

Happy Birthday week to you!

As for being a limey, you'll have to stay up late and get yourself hooked up with Skype in order to be economical. That's 10-12 hours of phone time in a two week period.

This sounds like an opportunity of a lifetime. I'm pant-crapping excited. Hopefully, it's not already full.

I'm clicks away from doing this (assuming that there's any openings left) but was hoping to get a little clarification on the format.

I work a 9 - 5. How much time each day goes into this? I'm sure I can block out time for just a two week period, but I have to make sure I know about how much. worst case, I just take those days off.

Really, that's the only concern I have... that and there being no openings.

Thanks!

robbolson,

It depends on your time zone. If you're East Coast, it should work out well even with the 9-5 schedule. Otherwise, your work can be addressed on the Sunday calls if that's all that works for you.

The calls are all recorded so you have access to any calls you might miss.

I hope I'm fine. So, skype for conference calls?
This is really gonna push me, which is great because I need it and I'm just starting to really take all this seriously. So glad to hear Craig will be dealing with the re-write. Probably my major down fall at the moment. That and developing ideas.

So write, eat and sleep. Well, sleep can go. I get more unique (crazy) without it anyway. Food: I've recently quit smoking, so I can use the lack of food to lose some of the extra weight, so I can keep the girlfriend I won't have from ignoring to write. Hmm. Seems like a plan to me. The only problem is work. Uhhh!

man.. i have a story i would really love to work here, a piece i received a very brief yet polite note of rejection on from the missouri review. i would love to take this course to help me understand why. but the cost and time of getting married in thirteen days, that witching hour is really bringing the amount of money to zero and the amount of debt to a lot..

this opportunity is amazing, godspeed to those attending. clevenger is such a sharp and understanding cat. he's a great teacher. he seems to really enjoy working with new talent. i guess it comes from twenty years of wanting to write well and then one day quitting everything that was his life to pursue something that he wanted as his life. he will help you with everything that he has at his disposal.

Nitpick: There's a T missing from the title and it looks like "Craig Clevenger Reruns" or something.

Thanks Mirka.

Done and done.

How strict is the 7k writing example word limit? I'd like to provide two pieces, but haven't had a chance to re-draft anything within that limit that reflects what I'm trying to do over two pieces.

Looking forward to working with a few people here.

Just joined this. Time to get serious.

The word count is very strict. If you send me 7200 words, I'll ask you to cut 200. Think about it, Clevenger will be reading basically a novel a week and critiquing; that's a lot.

Send me 7000 and a synopsis. After the first read, Craig may request a revision or a new 7000 word excerpt.

That's understandable, thanks.

Now to admit my scatty dumbarse-d-ness. I thought I was clued up on what this completely entailed reading the blurb few months back. I'm not looking to develop one or any piece in particular, just want to empty Craig's of knowledge, from any essays he might have, pick and eat his brains etc etc. Does this matter?

I misunderstood. The submissions you are emailing me aren't samples, but the material you are workshopping. It can be less than 7000 words, there's just a cap.

You should probably revise the work you have so you get the most out of the class, but yeah, there will be lots of brain food (not literally).

Sorry if I'm not making much sense. I'm sick and gotta take a nap every couple of hours. I'll be back later!

Ah. Ich bin ein spontaneous retard. Ok, no worries, I'll get something together for the 12th. I read the "essays" are new from the previous Hotseat ones a while back, is there a way to acquire those on this new intensive? And as being in the UK, I don't suppose CC uses Skype...?

Apologies for all the questions, get well soon.

Nope, you have to get something to me via email by the eighth. From my post:

This gives Clevenger time to prepare before the first call.

Yes, there are original essays as well as two (or more) from previous Hotseat Intensives. The two mentioned in my original post are from previous Hotseats.

oh shit. the more i hear about this the more friggin excited i am getting. every time i hear clevs name near the word intensive, i get intense butterflys!

now, back to my revision, revision, revision!

oh, p.s. conference calls/lectures: are they via skype, or whats the deal for the token aussie in the group? do we just download the video or something. i thought i heard you mention something like that. just curious, i too apologise for bombarding you with question, Mirka. sorry to hear you're not well.

Not a problem, I love the enthusiasm.

Everyone calls into a conference call website that records the calls. So everyone is calling a US number. I believe all our Europeans have used Skype though I have been hearing really great things about Google Voice.

oh, okay. well that makes sense. sorry, i'm so behind with technology and the times.

cheers, Mirka.

sorry, meerk. i know nothing about google voice. yet

Google voice is invite only, so unless you get lucky you can't get in anyhow. Skype will work if you have a plan that allows you to call a physical phone number, the free accounts only allow you to call skype users.

The last option is of course, to just use your telephone.

Edit: nevermind.

Is there still places on this going? If so I might be able to make it!!

Is the number a US landline? And do we need to say anything back, or just purely listen? I was on the verge of buying a Skype phone from Amazon, then my gf tells me you can just use the mic headsets, especially if you're only listening...? Just want to know what package I'll need to sign up for. Thanks again

Right my gf just said she'll get me this for my bday so I will be ordering this in t minus six hours. Yas!!!

That's what I was wondering, but I edited my post to 'nevermind' because when mirka stated that we'd visit a conference calls website, I assumed we'd just join a conversation and be able to see and hear Craig speaking. Is that the case?

If not, I too would be curious as to if I'll need to get on a skype plan and if I'll be up for some
kind of whacked out US phone call bill?

Mirka, you must be getting so pissed with us and our constant questions. Sorry.

Oh, also, Martin, of you're thinking about doing this, then don't. Just do it. But your ticket! I'm thinking this is a brilliant opportunity and I thank mirka and te guys for organising such an event for us. It's so generous. This is going to be an intimate and intense class concentrating on our own specific goals and questions, held by an amazing author. Even if there isn't any places left when you pay for it, I'm sure they'll refund you. Also, I'm assuming if the membership is still available to purchase in the store, then there are still spots.

Jump in!

Ok I bought it! Roll on clevenger intensive! Mirka I'll need to pm you about the conference call setup as I'll need to get skype and will need to know if I have to pay to dial in.

the web call--or the ones i've been a part of--is included in the overall price; no worries about buying a skype phone or paying extra fees (other than long distance charges [of course]). i did mine from my cell phone.

also, use proper grammar and spelling in the forum talk while there. i would highly recommend against text talk with clevenger. he actually made a statement about using capitals, too. but given that stephen graham jones on clevenger's own forum never uses caps, and for that matter baer i dont think ever did either, that's not something he would take you lightly for. text talk, he may feel a slight compulsory urge to spend a little less energy on your work than others.

just a few notes.

I think the whole Skype thing may have to be waaaay dumbed down for the three of us. First I thought you had to buy an usb internet phone, then gf says you can use a mic headset plugged into your PC, and now JK says you can use a cell - is that an US-domestic/specific thing?

Can't we just get two old tin cans and a really long piece of string for each of us?

You call into a phone number.

However you call into that phone number is up to you. Be it a land line, cell phone, skype, payphone etc.

Skype was brought up as a method that many Europeans use to make the calls over here, because it is so much cheaper than international calling.

What I could gather, cheapest UK-to-US would be over Skype phone/headset connected to your PC? And I'd guess the same for matt od Oz-to-US?

Exactly.

Everyone will be calling a US based telephone number for the conference calls.

It's a voice conference only; no one will be on camera.

I think I saw a question about speaking? Yes, everyone will be speaking on the calls. Clevenger will ask you questions about your work and you will have the opportunity to ask him questions.

Skype in the most inexpensive way for International calls that I know of. It's fairly easy to install and use.

I'll set up a test call before the class starts so everyone can feel comfortable with the process, how about that?

if only we lived closer then we could have a skype slumber party

Yeah! And we could do each other's hair, rent a movie, eat popc--...

...oh... that was too much, wasn't it?

So the realization has just hit me that I need to have 7000 words or under ready.

okay. so if we don't/can't make these conference calls. ie, times of them don't suit OR the call cost is simply going to be ridiculous, you said we can download the recording, right?

the only thing i have to ask then is: this obviously means we would be missing out on question answer with clev. also, does this mean that we would be missing out on a huge chunk of what the intensive is all about? i'm not entirely sure how much exactly the call costs would be, but i think i can safely assume it wouldn't be cheap. i realise this is a brilliant oppurtunity for me, but if i'm gonna be paying several hundreds of dollars extra in phone bills or missing a huge chunk of the class, then it seems hardly worth it.

i guess what i am also asking is: will there be a chance in the closed forums to be asking clev questions. like, personally, i would love tips/help with developing ideas and re-writing and focusing my attention. i have a world of ideas that feel like they're locked in my brain. and i want them out. now!

whatever will i do, mirka?

In your case, you're probably best off getting Skype.

You can sign up for free. In order to dial an actual phone number though, you have to pay them. Your options are

- Prepaid, buy "Skype Credit". "There's a flat rate of just 1.7 euro cents¹ per minute (incl. VAT)" So if you buy $10 worth, I imagine you should be good.

- Monthly, which is $13 a month for unlimited international calling.

http://www.skype.com/intl/en/allfeatures/callphones/

So at most, you're spending $13.

ahhh, really?

that seems too good to be true!

thanks a bunch Kirk, i am horrible with technology and all this stuff. even finding out my options. so i appreciate your help.

seems like i should be pretty right, if i do that.