So this past week I was at Martha's Vineyard, attending the Viable Paradise Writer's Workshop! For those unfamiliar with VP, it's basically a boot camp for writers of science fiction and fantasy, and it's taught by some of the big names in the industry. (John Scalzi, Elizabeth Bear, Steven Gould, Laura Mixon, Debra Doyle, and James Macdonald, as well as Tor editors Teresa and Patrick Nielsen Hayden.) It's a veritable geekfest! There are lectures about writing as both a business and an art. There are one-on-one critiques with the instructors, wherein the student is given detailed feedback on his or her submission piece. There are impossible-seeming writing assignments that need to be completed by Thursday. It's exhausting, yes, but it's also incredibly confidence-inspiring. Once you get to Thursday afternoon and you actually have a finished story after having stayed up all night writing and rewriting it, well . . . there's just nothing like that feeling. Plus, VP only accepts about 24 students at a time, so the whole experience is really intimate and mentor-ly.

Highlights:

1. Thursday night some of us went out night swimming (well, night wading, in my case, since I didn't bring a swimsuit). There was no moon, and it was very, very dark. The Milky Way formed a huge stripe down the center of the sky. It was incredible.
2. Some of the best curry I've ever had (thanks Mac!).
3. Drinking beer and reading aloud from Twelfth Night.
4. Endless games of Thing and Mafia.
5. Bioluminescent jellyfish. Gorgeous and utterly unphotographable.

So yeah, here are some photos from my fantastic week. Enjoy!

Jeepers Creepers, where'd you get those eyes?

A gorgeous park near the Island Inn.

This sign seemed appropriate somehow. Seen in the reflection is Micah.

Ferries, ferries everywhere.

The awesome Elizabeth Bear holding court after an afternoon lecture. Also pictured: Michelle Mcguinness, Sean Patrick Kelly, Jake Kerr.

Here's a photo of the whole VP group. Look for me about halfway up, leaning against the wall.

Waiting for a lecture to begin. From left to right: Mary, San, Fade Manley, Sylvia Volk, Spencer Ellingsworth, Peter Sursi.

More waiting around before the lecture. From left to right: John Scalzi, Mary, Jessica, Sylvia, Cheryl, Spencer, Peter. Steven Gould is in the background.

Downtown Oak Bluffs.

A line of creepy Prisoner-inspired houses in Oak Bluffs.

John Scalzi being . . . well, Scalzi.

Nicole Duson playing camera tag with me. I believe she won.

San trying to keep out of the frame and failing. Muahaha!

And finally, here's a shot of Zooey after I got home. She was so excited she swiped my name tag and wore it around for the rest of the weekend. Aww....