Milford

[altariel]

Folks, I had a fantastic time at the Milford SF Writers' Workshop. Ten of us gathered to pore over each others' texts and offer practical, firm, and supportive advice. It was wonderful: I'm so glad I decided to go along, and I can't recommend it highly enough. I was given good advice on a short piece which I've now sent out, and gained considerable confidence in my novel. And it was a privilege to read the work that others were producing. Terrific stuff there.

My picture gallery is here: the first lot include the view from my bedroom window, and views from around the grounds of the centre, heading down to the lake. I spent the mornings reading at that window and pottering around those grounds. (The afternoons were critiquing sessions.)

The last few pictures are from our Friday outing, and taken in the Llanberis Pass. This is my favourite. We started the day at Caernarfon Castle and ended it at Beddgelert, and for some reason I completely failed to take any photographs at either place! I was enjoying the moment too much. But I did manage a snap of a dragon.

Grateful thanks to all Milfordites for such a restful, enjoyable, companionable, and hugely inspiring week. Sorry I gave you all colds.

The bus journey? Was perfectly comfortable, but, man, it took a long time.

Comments

[jhall1.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear that the workshop was so productive.

What great photographs! Lucky you, to have had such a lovely view from your bedroom window.

[carl-allery.livejournal.com]

Lovely photos! I've got my 800 down to 500-odd, but still a lot of pruning to do! :) I too appreciated the input and enjoyed the company. Thanks.

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

Sounds lovely! And seems to be about eight miles from Llanddeiniolen, where we buried Nesta's ashes (http://kalypso-v.livejournal.com/187287.html).

[lil-shepherd.livejournal.com]

I have a similar picture from my bedroom window. Most of my photos are now up on Flickr, but I don't want to link until I have the Caernarfon ones loaded too, and the whole lot sorted into the order I want.

It was great meeting you ar last!

[lady-schrapnell.livejournal.com]

Those pictures are beautiful - and love the dragon!

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

Yay for having a fantastic time! The view from your window was beautiful.

I like the (inexplicable) dragon.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

It looks lovely (man, I haven't seen anything that green since... well since the last time I was in another country :)

And glad to hear the workshop was so good and so rewarding.

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

Welcome back!

I'm glad it was such a good and positive time - and what beautiful surroundings, too. Between them and the company, it sounds a wonderful week.

Shame about the cold - I hope at least yours is better by now.

[sugoll.livejournal.com]

I'm glad, nay, relieved, that you enjoyed it and that it was worthwhile.

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

Fab photos, though I still think I ought to take responsibility for the communal grots....

[toft-froggy.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so glad it was a good experience!

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

It sounds wonderful - what a brilliant format. I'm so glad it was productive for all concerned. And what a gorgeous setting... I'm not sure I would have got any work done with that view to look at! A great way to spend your Hamlet Anniversary Weekend.

The bus journey? Was perfectly comfortable, but, man, it took a long time.

If you will go from East Anglia to Snowdonia by bus... (granted, not a lot of other options until you learn to fly that helicopter!)

And hurray, a good excuse to use my Smaug icon :-)

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

The sense of autumnal peace in your photographs is very strong. I'm delighted that the workshop turned out to be so valuable. It must have been a stellar group of writers.

[communicator.livejournal.com]

It sounds excellent, and what a beautiful location

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

That view from your window almost has some Zen quality. *smiles* And the whole thing sounds like the best experience ever.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

That baby on the bus had an evil glint in its eye when it sneezed on me.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

This autumn has been amazing, seems to have gone on and on, and it's been so warm as well. We got pretty much a full week of sunshine in north Wales: one overnight storm, and then a damp day up in the mountains. The sunlight was glorious. The room where we met for the crit sessions had one wall-sized window out on the mountains: one afternoon, around 4pm, and the sun came out and lit up the whole mountainside - could barely concentrate! Like Lothlorien!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It was smashing. Thank you for your contribution to this!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It was smashing, thank you, and that view was inspirational. I'm enjoying reading your holiday reports, btw, although haven't had a chance to comment.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It was smashing, exactly the confidence boost that my writing needed, and that wonderful detailed, thoughtful criticism that makes you work. I hope I was half as helpful.

[jhall1.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm glad that someone is reading them. :)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Absolutely!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Yes, you're right - Google says about half-an-hour's drive. Beautiful, peaceful country.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It was SO quiet. No TV, no email. I took along speakers for my iPod, but I barely listened to it. Just wanted to listen to the mountains and the trees.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was terrific. Cold slowly getting better, thanks, after a good night's sleep.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Gosh, I can't believe it's a year since we saw it!

If you will go from East Anglia to Snowdonia by bus... (granted, not a lot of other options until you learn to fly that helicopter!)

The train would have got me to Bangor, so there'd a £30 taxi ride after that. Given that the return coach ticket only cost £43, that seemed a bit excessive! And I would have had to go into London, which I loathe doing.

The last couple of hours journey each way were pretty wearying, but I just had a sit and think, which is one of my favourite activities.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I'd love to go back there just to take some writing time. I can't recommend Milford enough too.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

The range of writing styles was wonderful. I can't think of a piece I didn't enjoy, and quite a few knocked my socks off.

The whole week was like a break from the world: no TV, no email, a big log fire, and autumn colours everywhere. Wonderful.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It was lovely to meet you too, o writer of the banned text! Very much looking forward to your pictures.

[toft-froggy.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you were an asset to the group!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I hope so: I had a cold for most of the week, so I wasn't at 100%.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It was a terrific time, so restful and creative. Very grateful to the people who put so much effort into making it possible!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I like your icon! Isn't the dragon great? There he is, sitting by the side of a lake, keeping a lazy eye on everyone who passes along the road.

[toft-froggy.livejournal.com]

Lucky not, or you might have turned them to piles of cinders.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Flame ON!