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Thursday, June 5, 2014

Winning the Prize ~ by Beth Gallagher

In April, the GROG had its Launch Party on Facebook. Beth Gallagher won the Nonfiction Archaeology prize, a "How-to-write-nonfiction-picture-books" course facilitated by Kristen McGill Fulton. I ask Beth to submit a post about her experience. This is what she said about the class and the prize.

From the desk of Beth Gallagher:

 
You know how your grandma always told you when life gives you lemons - make lemonade? Well, even if yours didn’t, mine said it enough for all of us. Turns out, sometimes its not so easy to squeeze the juice out of those babies! Writing has always been my way of making lemonade, whether it was journals, stories, magazine articles, or books.

 

The past few years have been a lemon-filled period of life for me. It went straight from the pure electric joy of adopting my precious daughters to the complete heart stopping terror of nearly losing one of them to a serious illness. All the while, I wrote. Sometimes uplifting and happy pieces, sometimes not so happy, occasionally dark and depressing stuff, but finally it was like I was trying to swim through Jello.
 
The dreaded writers’ block descended. I joined several social media groups for writers and creative people, and through them I’ve met some friends that turned out to be my glowing guides through the darkness – whether they know it or not. I was directed by one in particular (Jackie Wellington who invited me to read and comment daily on the GROG which I am glad I did.). And through the miracle of my friends' support and the GROG contest,  I was able to win the prize of the Nonfiction Archaeology class which I attended in April. (Don’t tell anyone, but apparently I’m addicted and am attending the June class as well.)

 

Let me just say that the whole thing was a slice of Heaven on my computer! Kristen is such a gifted writer and teacher! She is so organized and clear thinking that it seems to ooze out of the keyboard and into my own hands.  The class is very comprehensive in its scope and covers nonfiction writing so completely from the elementary level to advanced that it no longer scares me! I’ve been able to create a binder of all Kristen’s lessons and information that keep me focused when the lemons start to build up. I’m truly so grateful to my online “peeps” - Twitter to Facebook, from my critique groups to new friendships and Grog for saving me from myself, refocusing me on what I love to do, and for guiding me back to what I know can be a new career.

 

If you are at all interested in writing nonfiction (though a lot of Kristen’s information and advice can also be applied to fiction writing), I strongly recommend that you run not walk straight to her Nonfiction Archaeology class! You can find more information here: http://www.kristenfulton.org/nonfiction-class.html. I’m also happy to answer any of your questions about the class as a past & present student. Feel free to email me at semayawi.toadcottage@gmail.com.

 

26 comments:

  1. Beth, thanks for sharing the lemonade! So happy you are back on track. Rock on!

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  2. I've been thinking about taking this course, and now you've confirmed my choice. Thanks so much for the information!

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    1. I would love to have you in the class. Our next opening isn't until August and we max out at 12.

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    2. Can't say enough good stuff about the class, Kristi. I think you'll love it!!
      ~Beth

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  3. Beth, What a great lemonade post! You took the words right out of my mouth when you spoke of Kristen here. I too took this class and Beth is saying just what I would have said also. Not only is Kristen a great teacher, she is so FOCUSED and can guide you through your critique while she's reading it, and simply stops when you are wandering out of 'sync' in your story. Then she gives you clear words to help you see where you could take the next sentence or two, or train of thought, so that when you end the critique, you have a good notion upon which way to go. Listening to the replay also helps your mind refocus and yet again, write another revision. Thank you so much for posting this, and I cannot thank Kristen enough either for her guidance, but I will through my facebook page many times. This was a very good April for us all who were in this class.

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    1. Oh Virginia, I want to say, "Yes there is a Santa Claus," but my thank you will have to suffice. I am so happy that you enjoyed the class. Getting to know each of you, your interests, and learning from your research is a blessing to me.

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    2. Thanks for the good words, Virginia. We have such a good group from our class! ~Beth

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  4. I am happy that the GROG and your prize (and Kristen's class is QUITE the prize) has re-focused you. Cheers to you and WRITE ON.

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    1. I'm so thrilled too, Kathy. And you're right, it IS quite the prize! I'm so happy that I found such a wonderful group and community to support and get support from!
      ~Beth

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  5. What a great post, Beth. And everything you said about Kristen's class is true! She's great... and pushes folks to reach just that bit more to try something new.
    As for writer's block... your description of swimming through jello is so apt.

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    1. Thank you :-) But, you are the science guru.

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    2. Thanks Sue. She is a wonder, our Kristen. And works miracles, as my block is gone. For now! :) ~Beth

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  6. Thanks so much for the inspirational post!

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    1. I'm so happy that you were inspired by it. Thanks for the good words!
      ~Beth

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  7. You were meant to win that prize, Beth! So glad u enjoyed Kristen's class. I, too, took it and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!

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    1. Thanks, Tina. I feel so lucky both to have won the class AND to have found such a great bunch of new friends. :)
      ~Beth

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  8. Yay! So glad you are in my class this month, Beth! I registered on the spur of the moment...not having thought about writing non-fiction picture books much before...then realizing that I had always LOVED reading them as a kid. I'm a very happy camper...Archaeology camper that is. ;) And I look forward to staying close with this new community...from the class...and from GROG...so supportive and informative. I'm happy that the April class gave you direction...it was obvious from day one that Kristen is a mentor and teacher extraordinaire. :)

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  9. What a winning prize that turned out to be, Beth! So glad you were able to take Kristen's wonderful class. It's definitely on my wish list!

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    1. Patricia check out the website. I do scholarships frequently. Everyone has the right to learn.

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  10. Beth, what a great prize to win! I was only jealous and full of envy for brief (I hope forgivable) few seconds. I hope to take the class in August or September. Your review has my mouth watering.

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    1. It was a really wonderful prize, and sure did change the direction and velocity of my life! :) I hope you get a chance to take it, and do check out the website for it.

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  11. Hi Beth: Cheers! {Cling, Clang}, as we sip from two tall glasses of lemonade. You are quenching my thirst for more knowlege about writing non-fiction PB books. Thank you for *sharing your prize* with us, as you wrote about your positive experience. As an aspiring author/illustrator, selecting a course that is a *just right fit,* can be a bit daunting. Your recommendation for How to Write Non-fiction PB books, facilitated by Kristen, sounds like an outstanding class that I hope to attend in the near future. Read, write and create everyday. ~Suzy Leopold

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    1. I think you'd love Kristen's classes, Suzy. The whole feel of it is so supportive and inspiring! I now have book of 32 ideas that I plan to work on this summer. :) Hope you get a chance to take Nonfiction Archaeology too!
      Cheers right back at you!
      ~Beth

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