This will be our tentative workshop plan for those interested in attending regularly or those that would like to pick it up in the future.
Time
We'll be meeting twice a month. For the sake of variety, we've scheduled a different day for each session. That way if you can't make Sundays, for example, you'll still be able to participate.
The second Friday evening of the month (6pm), and the fourth Sunday at noon (12pm).
I'll put together a basic spreadsheet of the schedule and share it either through google docs or some other means.
The first workshop meeting will be Friday October 12. The second will be Sunday October 26 and so on.
Format
-We want this to be an informal setting. Altogether we'll meet for 4 hours, but only 3 of those will be dedicated to workshop proper. On Fridays the first hour will be for a potluck dinner and on Sundays a potluck brunch.
-Festivities hour: This hour will allow us all to break the ice and get out any friendly chit chat that might otherwise interrupt the workshop. The host is responsible for providing alcohol only (two bottles of wine or equivalent should suffice). The guests must bring enough food for all in attendance. Please alert everyone if you have any allergies so that we don't inadvertently poison you.
-Each meeting will be at a different person's house, depending on who volunteers. Ideally, everyone will host once. A list of the meeting places will be included in the schedule, and adjusted accordingly. The first meeting will be at Scott's apartment. The second will be at Madeline's.
-In order to maintain the informal environment, but to keep on track, we'll follow a host-facilitator model. Whomever's hosting will be responsible for keeping track of time, getting the workshop started, and reorienting the conversation if it gets off topic. This will be a liberal role that's mostly in place to keep things organized.
-The workshop itself will revolve around the author's requests. When the author submits, she/he must include a brief outline of what she/he would or wouldn't like from the workshop. For example, if Kevin is submitting a novel, he'll state, "I'd like the conversation to be about the novel as a whole. Please avoid specific details in the chapters, and don't worry about line edits."
-Given this, the author will also have the freedom to direct the conversation if she/he feels it's being unhelpful. This will provide her/him with a co-host role. The host will intervene if the author is monopolizing the conversation, being argumentative/defensive, or gets off track. The author may also communicate to the group what she/he would like out of that session.
-The page limit will be variable, but will share a relationship with the number of people submitting. For example, if someone wants to submit a completed novel, she/he will be the only one submitting that session. If someone is scheduled to submit with 2 others, the page limit should be reasonable given the bulk of reading. The schedule and submissions will be tailored to the needs of the group. The length should really be determined by common courtesy. It should also anticipate which date one will sign up for.
Remote Workshopping
-It's incredibly important to us that we establish a means of remote workshopping so that people living outside of NYC can participate regularly.
-This will mostly be worked out based on trial and error. Our first effort is going to be with Skype or Google+ video conferencing. We'll reserve a seat in the room and place a computer there as a stand-in for the disembodied workshopper. The success of this will depend on internet connectivity, microphone capability, whether the video is clear enough, and whether the speech is crisp.
-If we find out science has disappointed us, we may need to opt for emailed comments or some other similar method. We can work that out as a group.
-In our utopian vision, we think it would also be nice to do a workshop field trip of sorts. Meaning, one session we head up to Ithaca so that Yardenne might host and, therefore, be present for the workshop. Similarly, other towns workshoppers might be residing in. Like I said, trial and error.
Blog
-Madeline has created this online space for us to meet and converse when not in the same room. We all agreed that email chains are incredibly annoying and hard to keep track of.
-The blog will provide an open forum for conversation and comment. It will also have the schedule and other important information (like this list or some variation of it).
The First Workshop
-As mentioned, the first meeting will be Friday October 12th, at 6pm at Scott's house. Email or leave a comment for address and/or directions.
-Kevin, who will be unable to attend due to Germany, will be submitting his novel (we'll have a few hard copies, but it will mostly be an electronic submission).
-We'll workshop the novel the following meeting on Sunday October 26 12pm at Madeline's house (she'll provide the address).
-In addition to receiving Kevin's manuscript, we will eat, drink, and hang out, but most importantly, we'll make a schedule for people to sign up for submission dates.
-We'll also try to configure remote workshopping. So out of town folks, please let us know how to reach you at that time, whether through skype or what have you.
We are putting together a phone number roster, which will be hopefully available to everyone (privately) soon. If you intend to join the group at a later date, please also give some heads up before the meeting so we can have food for you.
