There are plenty of workshops that deal with the process of writing. Fewer explore the writer’s relationship to the craft. In an upcoming all-day workshop, “Thinking Like a Writer” at the Vineyard Haven library, published author, humorist, and columnist Joyce Wagner will tackle a number of topics, including the most elusive of all: how to get started and keep going.
“For a lot of people, it’s not so much the actual writing, it’s just getting to the page,” Ms. Wagner says. “It’s amazing how a plain white sheet of paper can grow teeth and claws, or a computer screen can be terrifying.”
Ms. Wagner has taught writing to both adults and kids for years. She has offered writing workshops to Martha’s Vineyard sixth graders, to at-risk youth on Penikese Island, to women’s groups, and to individuals at her home in West Tisbury. Recently, she took time off from teaching to focus on some projects of her own.
“For several years now I’ve taken a different direction, and have been working on my own writing,” she said. Ms. Wagner is currently working on completing the first two in a series of historical novels. Formerly she provided a regular humor column called “Overthinking” to the Sunday Concord Monitor in New Hampshire. A selection of her columns was published as a book by Plaidswede Publishing. She has had a number of short stories published in anthologies, and is a regular contributor to the Martha’s Vineyard Times and Martha’s Vineyard Magazine.
Clearly, the author knows something about what it takes to tackle — and complete — a project. “The whole idea of discipline is a myth,” Ms. Wagner said. “It’s enthusiasm that brings you to the page and keeps you there. The question is how do you stoke that enthusiasm so that you’re not fighting with yourself to get to the page, you’re fighting with yourself to stop.”
In the upcoming workshop, Ms. Wagner will offer some tips and practical suggestions on how to deal with writer’s reluctance. The daylong workshop will also offer advice on all phases of writing. According to a press release from the library, “In this daylong fiction workshop, we’ll be using games, exercises, and positive feedback to bump up creativity from story conception to manuscript submission. We’ll discuss the nuts and bolts of rewrite, self-editing, seeking markets, and treating your craft like a business.”
Treating your craft like a business is a very important factor for Ms. Wagner. “Even if you just think of it as a part-time job, you set up your business the way a regular business would be set up,” she said. “You set up a mission statement, and set goals. You ask yourself, ‘If I were my own boss, would I give myself a raise or would I fire me?’”
Marketing is part of that business model. “We do talk about marketing,” Ms. Wagner said. “I think that gives people a goal. So many people who are fabulous writers don’t send their work out. They’re scared of the rejection. There are all kinds of online resources for finding the market and tracking what you’ve sent out.” She mentions a couple of apps that do exactly that, automatically creating a calendar and reminder system.
The workshop is appropriate for all levels, from beginners to published writers, according to Ms. Wagner: “Everyone walks out taking away at least one thing that’s going to be helpful for their own writing.”
As a humorist, Ms. Wagner has a unique approach to the serious business of writing. She keeps things funny and light. She promises that even the exercises with be fun.
She’s offering this workshop for free, as a reintroduction of sorts. “This is a chance for me to get back into teaching. It’s kind of sticking my toe back in the water to see what the reception will be.”
The workshops also benefit her own writing. “When you teach it just brings you back to your own basics,” Ms. Wagner said. “I’ll be learning too.”
“Thinking Like a Writer” with Joyce Wagner, Saturday, Feb. 27, 10 am to 4:30 pm, Vineyard Haven Public Library. Free. Space is limited. Please register in advance on www.vhlibrary.org or at the circulation desk.
