The Gift of Feedback

Ruth E. Walker.

Feedback from colleague writers can be a tremendous help to developing writers. Or it can put good manuscripts off the rails. How do you know comments received in a writing circle or workshop feedback session are useful?

Remember Ruth’s three basic rules of successful writing feedback:

Respect: Give it and get it. All feedback is an offered opinion. You are free to take it or leave it.

Encourage: Never intend to diminish another writer; always offer colleague-to-colleague comments .

Inspire: Go ahead and take risks with your writing but be prepared to hear what may need a second look.

Receiving feedback is an art

respect an honest opinion by not defending your writing
take notes of verbal comments
all feedback is opinion; you may not agree but listen anyway (later on, you may realize that the opinion you dismissed is just what you needed to hear)
all feedback is useful; see above and remember you are free to accept or gracefully decline offered feedback
don’t interrupt; if you need to clarify what is said, make a note and wait for an appropriate spot to ask a question
if feedback is offered in a group session, pay attention; others discussing their opinions about your submission can lead you to exciting discoveries and new ideas

Giving feedback in an art

respect the risk a writer takes in asking for feedback; not everyone is ready for an intense critique so if you are unsure of how much to offer, ask the writer
begin with one positive aspect before offering suggested areas to review
avoid “I like” or “I didn’t like” as much as possible: this isn’t about “liking” something, it is about technique, clarity, logic, development of plot, setting, characters, etc.
focus on words, phrases, rhythms, etc., that stand out – either in a good way, or in a way that doesn’t work; offer suggestions if you can
be specific about interesting words or ideas and material that seems flat/stereotypical
be professional; if you are uncomfortable with the subject, and it affects your ability to critique, it is okay to pass on making any comment

~~~

Registration for Turning Leaves 2018

Registration for TURNING LEAVES from November 2 to 4, 2018.

Note: Writing Organization Discounts are offered to members of WCDR, WCYR, WCSC, HHWEN, SOH, TWUC, PWAC, MAA and CAA. Other groups please query.

NOTE If you have attended 5 or more Writescape residential retreats, you qualify for a special one-time $100 discount for this retreat. When you register, be sure to note it in the comments so we can adjust your full payment.

To secure your spot with a non-refundable deposit. Go to Section 1
To pay the full amount on registration. Go to Section 2
The balance is due by September 1. Go to Section 3
To register for the day rate. Go to Section 4.

Please note that HST will be calculated at checkout. HST # 821104853RT0001

Section 1

Non-refundable deposit

~~$250.00 Lakeview Room Single Occupancy~~ FULL

$250.00 Landview Room Single Occupancy Deposit

$250.00 Landview Room Double Occupancy Deposit Note: If you have a preferred roommate, please enter the name of your roommate in the comments section on the PayPal screen or email us at info@writescape.ca. If you don’t have a roommate, we will do our best to accommodate you but can’t guarantee double occupancy.

Section 2

Lakeview Room Single Occupancy FULL

~~$895.00 Full Fee Lakeview Room Single Occupancy~~

~~$865.00 Full Fee Lakeview Room with Writing Organization discount [WCDR etc]~~

~~$835.00 Full Fee Lakeview Room with Writing Organization AND alumni discount~~

Landview Room Single Occupancy

$865.00 Full Fee Landview Room Single Occupancy

$835.00 Full Fee Landview Room Single with Writing Organization discount

$805.00 Full Fee Landview Room Single with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

Landview Room Double Occupancy

Note: If you have a preferred roommate, please enter the name of your roommate in the comments section on the PayPal screen or email us at info@writescape.ca. If you don’t have a roommate, we will do our best to accommodate you but can’t guarantee double occupancy.

$795.00 Full Fee Landview Room Double Occupancy

$765.00 Full Fee Landview Room Double with Writing Organization discount

$735.00 Full Fee Landview Room Double with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

Section 3

Lakeview Room Single Occupancy FULL

$645.00 Balance Lakeview Room Single Occupancy

$615.00 Balance Lakeview Room with Writing Organization discount [WCDR etc]

$585.00 Balance Lakeview Room with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

Landview Room Single Occupancy

$615.00 Balance Landview Room Single Occupancy

$585.00 Balance Landview Room Single with Writing Organization discount

$555.00 Balance Landview Room Single with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

Landview Room Double Occupancy

$545.00 Balance Landview Room Double Occupancy

$515.00 Balance Landview Room Double with Writing Organization discount

$485.00 Balance Landview Room Double with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

Section 4

Day Rates

(complete weekend program except for breakfasts and accommodations)

$475 Day Rate

$445 Special Day Rate with writing organization discount

PLEASE NOTE: When you hit the “Add to Cart” button, the PayPal order will show up at the top of the column to the right. To be taken to PayPal to finish your purchase, click on the yellow PayPal button. You can use a credit card on the PayPal site – you do not have to have a PayPal account.

MAIL IN REGISTRATION FORM PDF

When payment is received, a Writescape representative will contact you by email to confirm

Turning Leaves 2017

November 3 – 5, 2017

Vicki Delany: One woman crime wave comes to Turning Leaves

With more than 20 books to her credit, Vicki Delany is a fearless full-time writer, tackling the adult, reluctant reader and YA markets with her mysteries, suspense novels and police procedural titles. Past Chair of Crime Writers of Canada, Vicki is also a member of Capital Crime Writers and Sisters in Crime. She writes as Vicki Delany and Eva Gates.

Enjoy a Friday evening fireside chat with Vicki and a Saturday morning workshop where more than the secrets of writing a great mystery will be revealed. All stories need a mystery at their heart.

Here’s a brief excerpt from her author’s bio: In 2007, Vicki took early retirement from her job as a systems analyst with a major bank and sold her house in Oakville, Ontario. At that time In the Shadow of the Glacier, the first book in a police procedural series set in the British Columbia Interior was published. After travelling around North America for a year with her dog, Shenzi, she bought a home in bucolic, rural Prince Edward County, Ontario, where she rarely wears a watch and can write whenever she feels like it.

Interview with Vicki

Turning Leaves 2017 brochure

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

A $250 non-refundable deposit will secure your place in this retreat.

At Turning Leaves, we build a retreat for the writer and the writing:

workshops to fire up your pen
creativity and group sessions to inspire you
private, uninterrupted writing time in cottage country setting
tailor your retreat to suit your needs


Chatting over dinner in the Heritage Dining Room

Meals and accommodations:

lakeview dining in the Heritage Dining Room
private or shared accommodation in Fern’s Fireside Inn
rooms have wood-burning fireplace, fridge, free WiFi
Fern Resort is 90 minutes from Toronto in a quiet bay on beautiful Lake Couchiching

Resort amenities:

indoor pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna
exercise room
nature trails, outdoor jogging track
spa treatments (by appointment, extra charge)
onsite pub (additional charge)

Fees

Lakeview Room Single Occupancy $875
Landview Room Single Occupancy $845
Landview Room Double Occupancy $775
Day Rate $475

Discounts

Retreat alumni $30
Members of writing organizations $30

REGISTER NOW A $250 non-refundable deposit will secure your place in Turning Leaves 2017

PLEASE NOTE: When you hit the “Add to Cart” button, the PayPal order will show up at the top of the column to the right. To be taken to the secure PayPal to finish your purchase, click on the yellow PayPal button. You can use a credit card on the PayPal site – you do not have to have a PayPal account.

Questions? info@writescape.ca

One-on-one Feedback

September 10. Gwynn Scheltema and Ruth E. Walker are offering the Canadian Authors’ Association, Niagara Branch, a special extra on September 10, 2016. After the 2-hour morning workshop, Finding the Muse and Kindling Your Creative Fire, this dynamic team of creative writing instructors will conduct half-hour one-on-one feedback sessions.

Sessions include:

written feedback from both Gwynn and from Ruth on up to 10 manuscript pages [**see below]
a one-on-one session with either Gwynn or Ruth to discuss the feedback
an opportunity to ask questions, discuss writing plans and potential markets

Interested participants must:

email up to 10 manuscript pages in advance to info@writescape.ca
provide material and payment no later than September 5

Gwynn’s and Ruth’s feedback sessions are a featured cornerstone of their annual writers’ retreat, Spring Thaw. Skilled editors, they excel at finding a writer’s strengths and offering insights to specific areas that can benefit from further development. Because they are also writers, they understand that the best feedback needs to be specific and constructive.

Maximum of 12 participants.

Fee: $30 + HST includes written feedback from both Gwynn and Ruth

$30.00 CAA Niagara Feedback

Once you select Add To Cart, your shopping cart appears in the right-hand column of this page. You don’t need a PayPal account to use this secure payment method. You will need a credit card.

$3.90 HST will be added by PayPal at the checkout.

**Standard manuscript page:

double spaced
12 point font – Calibri, Arial or TNR
1 inch margins all round
paginated
name and title in header on each page

Custom Retreats

Your Retreat, Your Way

Does your writing group want a private, customized retreat where…

writing and workshopping space is provided
a peaceful, natural setting will encourage your muse to create
all meals are catered
a 24-hour beverage station is available
a professional writer and editor is on hand for support
customized programming can be provided
rates are budget friendly

From weekend get-a-ways to week-long retreats, you tell us what you need and when you need it. Writescape will work with you to make it happen. Contact us at info@writescape.ca; 705-778-5139 or leave a comment below.

Writescape’s custom Just Write! retreats are held at Glentula on the shores of Lake Seymour just over an hour east of Durham Region. Bookings can be made in all seasons. Gwynn and Don and the two house cats will be happy to welcome you.

Be inspired

Nestled in the forest, on the shores of Lake Seymour, Glentula offers peace and inspiration. Five acres of forest and walking trails, steams and lake, gardens, gazebos and secret hideaways. And inside, a bright workroom, book-lined study, or your own private room give plenty of options to write in.

Be supported

Gwynn is onsite and ready to support your writing. After-dinner campfire readings give participants an opportunity for group feedback. Optional warm-up writing sessions and activities can be arranged.

Be comfortable

Glentula is a private cottage home with single and double occupancy rooms. All your meals and snacks are provided. This intimate retreat space accommodates five to eight participants. Registration includes accommodations, meals and all-day access to beverages and snacks.

Getting There:

Glentula is at 101 Morningside Drive, Havelock, ON. Click here for directions.

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