The Return of the Workshop

Yesterday's Publishing Project reverted back to its afternoon slot for this week and we spent the majority of the time workshopping three pieces of work.  I have to say, this is probably the best Publishing Project lesson we've had all semester.

I understand that the whole purpose of this module was supposed to be learning about publishing and marketing etc but it has been, quite frankly, utterly depressing for the most part (with the exception of Lorella Belli who was so delightfully positive in comparison to the previous harbingers of doom).  I don't blame the speakers for their lack of cheery forecasts because what they said was simply a reflection of the market itself - all in all, it's pretty bleak.  No-one knows what will happen and they don't know how to prepare for these ominous changes which are sweeping in on the wind.

So it was lovely yesterday to actually get back to the writing.  It rather reminded me why I was there, doing this course, and paying all that money.  Writing is what drove me to quit my job and while this was financially an imprudent decision, I can't say that I regret it.  I would have gone wacko by this point if I had stayed.  As pleasant a company as it was to work for, my tasks were hardly very intellectually stimulating (I spent the last month of my full-time employment checking spellings).

Regardless of what happens at the end of this course - and how quickly that milestone is looming! - I really hope I continue writing.  I don't know what the market is going to do but, as Candy Gourlay said last week, in whatever form stories appear in the future, the world will always need storytellers.

Unless technology becomes self-aware and rises up against us, forcing us into a state of mindless servitude.  In which case I will have break free using my natural aversion to all things technological, join the resistance and fight using my awesome computer-destroying-error-creating-static-skills, which have already claimed four laptops to date.

Then, if I survive, I can tell that story.  Sounds like an excellent life plan to me.

Somehow, I doubt the university careers advisors would be too enthusiastic.

"Have you ever thought about teaching..."

Yes I have and my conclusion is: give me a techo-war any day.