Green Mountain Writers Conference

Your Comments, Green Mountain Writers' Conference, 2009

Read some feedback from the 2009 and 2008 conference. And visit us on Facebook at Green Mountain Writers Conference

Irma Princeton:

Excerpts from Irma's letter of August 05, 2009

From Wallingford to Timouth, you'll travel slightly more than eight miles up and up some more along meandering narrow, tee-lined roadways, cow pastures, and acres of frmland. Nirvana.

... I listened intently and marveled at the positive critiques offered readers. Writers undertain then had a story quickly discovered it lay inside them and stories poured forth.

...Kudos to the culinary magic performed by Chef Claire Clarino inthe long narrow kitchen. We enjoyed and appreciated five days of her artistry with delicious salads, quiche, soups, pasries, fruit and a variety of beverages, including robust coffee!

Daniel, 5, and August, 3, the two spirited, white-haired Maltese entertained us as they frolicked about the grounds. Come and be fulfilled. Just being among so many hard-working personalities was a gratifying experience. Friday came too soon.

Mareen Kessler:

First of all, let me say THANK YOU for such a beautiful introduction to writer's groups. I loved my time at the pond, and I will never forget it. Provided the fates allow, I intend to make it an annual happening.... I think the conference was beautifully arranged. The speakers were superb, the assignments were very interesting, and the "on" and "off" times worked very well.

Sharyl Green:

Yes to:

Balance: published writers as guest readers and workshop leaders; participants reading + peer critique -- "I noticed-- "; excellent food -- local and made on site -- my new super scales say that I only gained .2 pounds during the week away :)

Inclusion: vets and newbies on par -- appreciated name tags and no introduction around the room -- playing field level so clear that everyoneÕs work counts and gets comments Morning lessons by you MT W (I think)

Invitation to write whenever -- could leave to do it -- mostly a balance between freedom and structure. You let your scholarship show -- you listen deeply, and make helpful remarks -- your 10,000 hours of writing shows in your teaching;

A general sense of tremendous generosity on your part -- time and materials both

Variation in each day's schedule -- mixing it up a little

Guests stay through the day(s) to hear us read and they comment, too

Self-selection for workshops even if the numbers are uneven

Diversity of guests and every one is hot

Encouraging poetry and prose writing by all of us.

Ben Huffman:

As happened for me last year, the experience of spending five days with other people engaged in the same effort was validating of my own, and left me at the end renewed in my intention to keep working. Over the weekend after returning home I found myself adrift back in my usual routine -- unable to become very interested in the various, random seeming demands for my attention. After a while I realized how different this was from the central experience of your conference. Which was, how each one of us was focused on creating a single, discrete, self-contained and meaningful verbal expression. That seems such a rare occurrence in everyday life. I am guessing this may be what attracts some of us to the writing effort. So I appreciate a great deal your work in providing the opportunity for that experience.

Rob Burnside:

The conference was even better than I thought it would be---across the board. Truly, everything was four stars! Much thanks to you and the staff.