The Seventh Week clarion west writers workshop • spring 2020 Photo credit: Jenn Reese Photo credit; S.B. Divya Opposites Attract: A Co-Interview on Craft

A Conversation between Tina Connolly & Caroline M. Yoachim 2020 Six-Week Instructors (both CW '06)

Tina Connolly Caroline M. Yoachim

When we were planning our first class about which aspects of the idea I want if I have an idea for a situation, I don't together — a one-day workshop about to highlight in the story — the idea that feel I have a grasp on the story itself writing a story from start to finish — we sometimes the process of manipulating until I understand what the protagonist quickly discovered that we approach story data destroys it, the ways in which we is like and what they want. For example, creation very differently. Caroline tends to construct narratives, the relationship I started "The Last Banquet of Temporal start from a concept or idea, and Tina tends between perception and memory and Confections" shortly after the 2016 to start from a character or emotion. Although reality, etc. Then I pause and recognize election. I had a box of cookies on my desk at first this led to confusion about how we that all of this is very abstract and has no from a Planned Parenthood fundraiser should structure the class, it quickly became characters in it. My next step is to think that was run by a group of women- the focus of our co-teaching method, because about how to take these abstract concepts run bakeries. So that was the kernel of we could provide a wide variety of methods to a more personal level. But you tend to inspiration, and then I wrote the scene for how to get into a story, how to finish a start at the character level, right? where Saffron is in the bakery, offering story, and what to do when you get stuck. people different temporal pastries. Until I started to understand what she was afraid of, and how she wanted to be braver Tina Connolly: So, Caroline! Tell me and effect change, I didn't know how to more about how you usually come up with construct her story. a new story to write. CMY: That is fascinating to me because it Caroline M. Yoachim: My stories nearly is almost the opposite of my process — I always start with an abstract idea. For usually can't figure out what the characters example, "The Archronology of Love" want and what they are afraid of until I've started from the question: What if we written a large chunk of the story. I reverse could dig through layers of time the way TC: Correct! For me, I often have a engineer what the character motivations  archaeologists dig through dirt? I think character start talking in my head. Even are to make it seem realistic that they'd do

The Seventh Week |spring 2020 | Page 1  the things I needed to create a satisfying idea, plot, etc. — need to be there. We end, but taking time to assess what kind of story arc. I'm a very linear writer, so I have just put the pieces into the story in very writer you are can help you figure out how trouble jumping to a later scene if I get different orders. to start, and complete, stories. stuck on something. When I'm stuck in Speaking of completing stories … one the middle of a story, I find it helpful to thing I liked about The Good Place finale leave notes in brackets (e.g.,

(no spoilers, I promise!) is that they took or ) so that I can push past the time to make sure both the plot and the point where I'm having trouble. character arcs were nicely wrapped up. Caroline, I seem to remember you telling TC: Whereas I will often have giant me that you have an idea what ending bracket scenes that are like [cool stuff you're aiming for early on, correct? happens here]! For me, that comes second to figuring out the overall character arcs. CMY: Yes! I think of endings as needing to be a balance between unexpected Once Caroline and I figured out that and inevitable. Too unexpected and the we were approaching stories from ending will feel like an unearned twist. almost opposite directions, we started to Too inevitable and the reader will see it understand why sometimes we would find coming a mile away and get bored. For me, writing advice that simply did not work the easiest way to achieve that balance is for us. It helped us figure out how to coach to know what the ending will be before I other writers — some who come at stories write the middle — that way I can plant from Caroline's side, and some who come whatever information the ending requires from my side — because we get stuck in as I am writing, to be sure it doesn't come entirely different places. If I'm stuck, it out of nowhere. usually means I've lost sight of what the It doesn't always work that way though character wants. I need to back up and Illustration by Anna & Elena Balbusso from "The — I've written "zero drafts" or exploratory Last Banquet of Temporal Confections", Tor.com figure out what she's trying to do. But if I drafts in order to discover the ending … give Caroline that advice … but then in revisions I nearly always end up going back and rewriting most of the CMY: Well, it depends on where I am in story. the draft. If I'm stuck in the early part of Really, creating a first draft, thinking about what TC: I generally have an idea what ending a character wants is entirely not helpful. we wish I'm aiming for as well — but that might How can I know what the character wants be the ending to the character arc, not the if I don't already know what they did? someone plot arc! Back to "Temporal Confections" However, for revisions it can be hugely — I knew I wanted Saffron to find the helpful to have a beta reader identify a would come courage to act, but I had no idea HOW broken character arc. For me, the structure up with an she was going to do it as I wrote the story. of a story is shaped around the satisfying Once I figured it out, then, like Caroline, I resolution of the idea. But in order for the easier way to had to work through the whole story again story to work overall, the character arcs and make sure everything made sense. must also be satisfying. write stuff! We want to end by saying that talking TC: Another thing I try is letting my through our different approaches to writing characters just talk/argue with each other — and being each other's beta readers — has for a while. Most of the rambling will been really great over the years! We've gained need to be deleted in revisions, but if TC: Yes! People often try to categorize a deeper understanding of our own processes, you're someone for whom dialogue comes a completed story as "plot-driven" or and have been able to learn from each other's naturally, it can be a great way to see what "character-driven." But I've found it's strengths. Really, we wish someone would new ideas and relationship difficulties you much more useful to have every writer come up with an easier way to write stuff! encounter! ask themselves: "How do I, personally, get But since they haven't, we figured we'd each into this story?" Stories (in general) should offer a few of our favorite tips to try when we CMY: One of the things Tina and I have characters! Who do things to advance get stuck. Maybe one of our approaches will realized is that all the pieces — character, the plot! You need all the pieces in the work for you! 

Page 2 | The Seventh Week | SPRING 2020 We hope that you'll join us! There is no The 2020 entrance fee or fundraising requirement to participate in the Write-a-thon. However, Clarion West it is our biggest annual fundraiser, and just like a walk-a-thon, participants are challenged to raise money on behalf of Write-a-thon Clarion West by asking friends and family to sponsor your creativity and craft. Is Coming! Our total expenses for the Clarion West Six-Week Summer Workshop are currently about $6,764 per student. These June 21–July 31, 2020 costs are projected to go up steeply in 2021, when we will be moving into a fully ADA-accessible facility — we are excited about this long-overdue ADA-accessible housing and classroom! What to expect from the Write-a-thon:

••A personal Write-a-thon page to promote your work, your writing, and your goals;

••Development of writing discipline through goal setting and accountability; Registration begins ••Support through weekly updates June 1 and encouragement;

••Our first organized chat rooms https://www. for conversation, inspiration, and support; clarionwest.org/

••Badges, and more! writeathon/ Every day, Clarion West alumni, supporters, and community members write If you are uncomfortable with asking (just be sure to follow through!). Whatever the future. We take notes, write in journals, for donations or currently unable to make your goals, genre, or experience level, you sketch characters, and edit. What are a donation, it's no problem — set your will be an active part of an ever-expanding we writing? Novels. Poetry. Story drafts. personal writing goals and write with our community of writers. Game scripts. Graphic novels. Plays. community. Just by participating, you help You make it possible for people from Children's books. Articles and essays. Clarion West, and donors will likely find all over the world to attend and afford From first contact with aliens in the U.S. you! Clarion West. Our public outreach Virgin Islands to vampires in Istanbul, we Every year, we anticipate writers programs are fully supported by grants create stories and worlds every day. The joining us from all over the world, from and donations from individuals. Your Clarion West Write-a-thon is our time India to Australia to our hometown of participation in and proceeds from the to set our personal writing goals, large or Seattle. Every writer has different goals: A Write-a-thon provide unrestricted support small, and accomplish them together. little every morning. Once a week during for our Six-Week Summer Workshop, It's time to grab some more coffee, a writing sprint. 1,000 words a day. These year-round classes and workshops, and renew your goals, and power up (or goals are entirely up to you. Use the time public outreach events. sharpen up) your devices — we have to generate new material or finally dig into Don't miss out on this opportunity to writing to do! Register for the Write-a- research. Feel free to make special personal participate in an international community, thon online at https://www.clarionwest. offers for your donors, such as drafts of set and achieve goals, and activate your org/writeathon/ beginning June 1, 2020. your work, poetry, or adorable cat photos writing like the superpower it truly is! 

The Seventh Week | SPRING 2020| Page 3 As we grow to meet increasing Announcing demands on our programs, we have also filled the following three part-time Clarion New Staff! positions in 2019/2020: Marnee Chua Elly Bangs (CW '17) has taken on the West Writers position of database specialist, taking over Executive Director for Kate Schaefer (CW '92), who Workshop In 2019, Neile Graham retired as our has managed workshop director after nineteen years the position as 2020 Board of Directors guiding students and instructors through a volunteer for Clarion West and beyond. Taking over eleven years. Elly Tod McCoy | Chair from her is Jae has several short Misha Stone | Secretary Steinbacher (CW stories published Miriah Hetherington | Treasurer '14), who has in anthologies, Yang-Yang Wang | Past Chair been training online magazines, and other places. Her Susan Gossman with Neile for first novel, Unity, has been acquired by Brooks Peck the past two years Tachyon and is awaiting publication. Nisi Shawl and is already an Janna Silverstein joined us last Gordon B. White integral part of the summer to take over the contract Marnee Chua organization with their attention to detail manager position to manage the Executive Director | ex officio and commitment to the success of the copyrights of Vonda N. McIntyre. Janna Jae Steinbacher workshop. Jae is a graduate of North is an award- Workshop Coordinator | ex officio Carolina State University's MFA program winning science and received a 2017 North Carolina Arts fiction and fantasy Staff Council Artist Fellowship in literature. writer and editor Marnee Chua | Executive Director Their work appears in Terraform, Escape with a number of Jae Steinbacher Pod, and PodCastle. "Chimeras" was a anthologies and Workshop Coordinator Notable Story for The Best American Science short stories to Copy Editor Fiction and Fantasy 2016, edited by John her credit. Her Rashida J. Smith Joseph Adams and Karen Joy Fowler. latest project is The Workshop Administrator With Jae moving into the role of Complete Kobold Tegan Moore workshop coordinator, they left the Guide to Game One-Day Workshop Administrator workshop administrator position open. I Design, Second Edition. Volunteer Coordinator am very pleased to Vicki Saunders (CW '09) has stepped Vicki Saunders announce that Rashida down from the board and her volunteer Art & Communications Director J. Smith (CW '05) work as art director Jeremy Sim | Communications Specialist has already stepped for Clarion West to Joe Schindler | Culinary Specialist into this role. Rashida formally take on the is the former editor role of our art and Special Projects of GigaNotoSaurus, communications 2017 Hugo Finalist director. Vicki is a Elly Bangs | Database Specialist for Best Semiprozine. Seattle-based writer Evan J. Peterson Under her pen name, and editor, past board Communications Specialist Jasmine Silvera, she is the author of the chair of Clarion Janna Silverstein Grace Bloods romantic urban fantasy West, and brings Literary Contract Manager series, including the novels Death's Dancer, years of professional Erik Owomoyela | Website Manager Dancer's Flame, and The Talon and the Blade. experience to the position. Volunteers Mission Statement Kate Schaefer | Database Volunteer Tom Whitmore We support emerging and underrepresented voices by providing writers Copy Editor/Proofreader with world-class instruction to empower their creation of wild and Kyra Freestar | Copy Editor amazing worlds. Through conversation and public engagement, we bring those voices to an ever-expanding community.

Page 4 | The Seventh Week | SPRING 2020 Clarion West alumna Maura McHugh describe for the artist to draw. You must As Important has written and published plays, podcasts, know which details are relevant and which poetry, prose, comics, and film scripts — so you are going to let the readers imagine for as Anyone far. In 2006 she received the Gordon R. themselves. Dickson Memorial Scholarship to attend Nothing beats the thrill of seeing the our Six-Week Summer Workshop, and in the artist's images based on what you have Else's Story years since, she has racked up nine award outlined. I'm always happy to answer nominations, including one from the British questions and help where I can, but also Fantasy Society, and two outright wins: I must allow the artists to bring their in 2014 the Arcade Award for Best Irish strengths as visual storytellers to the Writer (Comic Books), and in 2015 the Irish project. They have expertise in this field, Comic News Award for Best Irish Writer and I'm always delighted when they Published Outside of Ireland. Though she's riff off what I've suggested to produce the author of dozens of short horror, science something more inventive. Sometimes you fiction, and fantasy stories, McHugh's best- also have input on the coloring known work is in comics, and she's and lettering, and in this way recognized internationally the process becomes one of as a feminist force to be refinement, where you can reckoned with in this genre, tweak the dialogue once you see one even more rabidly how the artist has drawn the defended by self-styled panels. gatekeepers than SFFH. Dialogue has to be Anybody of the opinion that earned, as it's taking up these genre territories are No space; it forces me to be Woman's Land is in for a witty economical and choose An Alumna Interview and original surprise when wisely. But after writing With Maura McHugh they read her work. Nisi Shawl comics it's always interviewed McHugh for The wonderful to return to (CW '06) Seventh Week to find out more prose and allow myself to about her process, inspirations, relax back into having more room desires, and advice. to breathe. Nisi Shawl (CW '92) Nisi Shawl: Do you have a favorite form NS: When you were accepted into of writing? What makes it your favorite? Clarion West, you'd already had at least one story professionally published. What Maura McHugh: All of them allow were you seeking at Clarion West? Did me to strengthen different skill sets, you find it? especially when I find a form particularly challenging. While prose is a strong love MM: I knew I needed some way to of mine, I think comic book expand and push my writing, and I writing is closest to my intuitively felt that attending Clarion West heart. With prose I have would be good for me. I wanted to connect control over everything, but to other writers and intensively immerse when writing for comics myself in the writing process. I wanted (or film, or theatre), I to challenge myself. All of these things understand that this happened and more! is the beginning of a collaborative process NS: Would you like to return to Clarion in which other people West as a student? As a teacher? will use my work as a springboard into MM: I've had dreams in which I was back a greater project. at Clarion West! It's one of those crucible Writing for comics experiences that gets etched into your is quite technical, subconscious. You are stressed, vulnerable, as you have to break in a new city and setting with 17 strangers. down your story depending on But you can't go back, only forward. In the number of pages, and consider what autumn 2018 I did a comic book residency  parts of the narrative you are going to in Angoulême in France in which I had to

The Seventh Week | SPRING 2020| Page 5  completely create (write, draw, color, letter) and what impact it has on you. It should a large two-page comic in the company of benefit you or expand your horizons. And nine other European artists over ten days. always remember these are technologies It was incredibly intense and pushed me built by companies that are exploiting very hard, but I completed the pieces. I our use of them for gain. Don't have any learned so much about myself in a short illusions on that front. period of time. It reminded me a lot of At this point I use Facebook (lightly), Clarion West and has strengthened my Twitter (often), Instagram (moderately), resolve to apply for more residencies. and LinkedIn (professionally). I often Late last year I taught a one-day get a lot of entertainment out of social comic book workshop at the Jan van media, so I've no intention of curtailing Eyck Academie in Maastricht, in the I am deeply my use completely, but I have rules about Netherlands, and that was an amazing how much I use it, especially when I'm experience. By the end of the day each of interested in busy. Time spent on projects, with family the groups had created some kind of comic or friends, and enhancing my mind/ book narrative, and it was humbling and women's lives fitness gets priority. I don't subtweet or inspiring to be part of that process. So yes, and how many vaguebook. I'm often tempted to do so, I'd love to teach Clarion West some time. but once I question my motives I usually of them are don't. NS: Are there topics you find more compelling than others because you're a silenced or NS: Any words of advice or woman? encouragement for those seeking careers repressed. in comics or other fields related-to-yet- MM: I am deeply interested in women's distinct-from horror, fantasy, and science lives and how many of them are silenced fiction? or repressed. I am not immune to that any social media tips you want to give pressure either. This is a deep source of emerging writers? MM: If your field of interest requires story ideas, and yes, it easily fits with collaboration, then get out and meet horror. MM: I've been having a long, serious people. Social media and Internet contact Years ago I had a moment when I think about my use of social media over is all well and good, but go to any local realized that if I wrote stories with male the last couple of years. My background comic book jams, conventions, festivals, protagonists I would probably sell them is in IT, so I've had a relationship with theatre groups, or meetups that tally easier. It wasn't a happy realization, but these technologies since their inception, with your interests. Talk to people, forge it made me determined to ensure I was and what I'm concerned about is how they connections, and start making a project. giving women — and other genders — a shape the way we think and the way we It's immensely satisfying, and you learn fair shake in my work. Sometimes a story interact with others. I think you should be from doing. arises organically in your mind and the authentic on social media, but remember All creators have projects that fail or protagonist may seem fixed, but I often it's just like standing in the middle of an just don't get off the ground. Don't obsess interrogate my choices because my mind is arena with a loudspeaker speaking to a vast over what doesn't work; focus on creating a mire of biases. number of people. And many accounts something new. Eventually, one thing or are merely bots, or trolls. Everyone has another is going to click. Have faith in NS: Do social media platforms help their own relationship with social media, yourself and the unique story you want to or hinder you as a writer? Are there so figure out what you're using it for tell. It's just as important as anyone else's. 

Online Workshops in facilitate workshop and Black Tides of Heaven, The Red Threads of critique of a story of Fortune, The Descent of Monsters, The Ascent Development 7,500 words or fewer. to Godhood) have received many accolades. Jae Steinbacher We encourage six-week Also a Lambda and Otherwise (formerly workshop alumni or Tiptree) nominee, Neon graduated from Workshop Coordinator others familiar with the University of East Anglia with an MA Milford-style critiquing in Creative Writing and currently lives in This spring, April 3–May 8, 2020, Clarion to sign up. Singapore. West will be holding its first four-week Neon has short More online classes are in development JY Neon Yang short fiction workshop online, led by JY fiction at Tor.com, for the fall — watch for them online! Neon Yang (CW '13). The Hugo, Nebula, Uncanny Magazine, Lightspeed, and https://www.clarionwest.org/2019/09/14/ and World Fantasy award finalist will work Strange Horizons. Their Tensorate announcing-clarion-west-online-  closely with a small group of students to novellas from Tor.com Publishing (The workshops/

Page 6 | The Seventh Week | SPRING 2020 Inclusive If buildings hold memories, what must into accessible facilities for the first time, the narratives of thousands of unique we hope you all will help us create new speculative fiction stories do to a place? narratives for the workshop. We will be Buildings Stories drafted, critiqued, cried over, and looking to our community to provide submitted at the very guidance and support House edge of late-night as well as to help deadlines — do the draft new opportuni- shades of old stories We want to make ties for our writers Great Writing and secrets haunt the and their readers. In walls of old Clarion sure each future 2019, Clarion West and Lasting West dorm rooms? received a significant Do you wonder who Clarion West bequest from the Memories has been missing estate of Vonda N. from these narra- campus, short- McIntyre. With this tives? term or long, bequest, we intend The question of to begin building our who will be whis- is accessible to capacity, over the next Creating the pering their secrets three years, to move Capacity to Be and sharing their all writers and into an accessible — and Stay — stories has been facility and to remain restricted to those instructors. in accessible facilities Accessible who can navigate thereafter. a house with stairs. The bequest Not only students, alone will not pro- but also instructors have been blocked vide the organization with the financial from bedrooms and classrooms on our sustainability to make this move. The current premises. The workshop — and bequest will help us build staff time, create the stories created within — will never be new programs, and weather the initial truly inclusive unless we can accommodate costs of moving into an accessible facility. all qualifying students who wish to attend. It will help us build a strong fundraising That's where you come in. program that will ensure we can do more One of the ways you can support us for the writers we aim to support. And is to spread the word, helping us fill all in 2020, we will hire our first fundraising of our classes and promote our alumni as coordinator to help us manage these goals. their stories are published. Another way The Clarion West Six-Week Summer Marnee Chua that you can support Clarion West is to Workshop has not always been located in Executive Director become a monthly donor and help provide the same house or facility. It has been held sustained and unrestricted donations in several dorms and classrooms at Seattle year-round. When you become a monthly University and in three sorority houses. The donor, you become a reliable source of food was not always as amazing as it is now monthly funding for our programs and (thank you, Joe!). Each new building that workshops throughout the year. This is a we occupy will hold the memories of stories powerful way to support our current and and tears and laughter for years to come. future endeavors. To make an automatic We want to make sure each future Clarion donation each month to Clarion West, West campus, short-term or long, is acces- simply check the "Make This Recurring sible to all writers and instructors. Someday, (Monthly)" box on the PayPal donation maybe the facility will be our own. We form: https: //www.clarionwest.org/ hope you'll join us on the journey donate/. to creating lasting memories In 2021, as we wherever we go.  move the Six-Week Summer Workshop

Inclusive ramp/stairs, M Museum, Leuven, Belgium

The Seventh Week | SPRING 2020| Page 7 Photo credit: Elly Bangs June 23 anthologies and translated into several Andy Duncan languages. His fiction has been Seattle Public Library Central Branch honored with a Nebula 1000 Fourth Avenue Award, a Theodore July 14 Sturgeon Memorial Award, and three World Fantasy Nalo Hopkinson awards. A South Carolina Her fiction has received native and Clarion West graduate, the Campbell and Locus he teaches writing at Frostburg State awards, the World Fantasy University, which promoted him to full Award, and the Sunburst professor in 2019. Award for Excellence in University Book Store Canadian Literature of the 4326 University Way NE Fantastic. She currently lives in California, Supported by the Leslie Howle Fellowship where she is a professor of creative writing and a member of a faculty research June 30 cluster in science fiction. In 2018, she was Eileen Gunn awarded Eagle-Con's Octavia E. Butler is a short story writer, Memorial Award. essayist, editor, and the Seattle Public Library Central Branch author of two story 1000 Fourth Avenue collections. Her fiction has Supported by the Sally Klages Memorial received the Nebula Award Fellowship and the Sense of Gender Reading audience at the July 21 Seattle Public Library Award and has been nominated for the Hugo, Philip K. Dick, and World Fantasy Neil Clarke awards and short-listed for the James is the creator of the Tiptree Jr. Award (now the Otherwise acclaimed online magazine Award). Clarkesworld. The 2020 Summer Seattle Public Library Central Branch magazine has received 1000 Fourth Avenue multiple awards, including Readings and Supported by the Vonda N. McIntyre Hugo, World Fantasy, Memorial Fellowship and British Fantasy awards. Neil is also a seven-time finalist for the Hugo Award July 7 Interviews for Best Editor (Short Form) and three- Tina Connolly & time winner of the Chesley Award for Caroline M. Yoachim Best Art Director. University Book Store • 7:00 pm Tina Connolly's stories and novels have been finalists 4326 University Way NE • Free of charge for the Hugo, Nebula, July 28 Norton, Locus, and World Ted Chiang • Tuesdays in Seattle Fantasy awards. Her stories have appeared in Fantasy His fiction has won four • ASL Interpreters & Science Fiction, Tor.com, Uncanny, Hugo, four Nebula, and Analog, Lightspeed, Beneath Ceaseless four Locus awards, and at Every Reading Skies, Women Destroy SF, and many more. has been reprinted in Best Caroline M. Yoachim's American Short Stories. short stories have appeared His first collection, Stories in Asimov's, Fantasy & of Your Life and Others, has been translated Science Fiction, Uncanny, into 21 languages, and the title story was Beneath Ceaseless the basis for the Oscar-nominated film Skies, Clarkesworld, Arrival, starring Amy Adams. His new and Lightspeed, among other places. collection, Exhalation, is a New York She has been a finalist for the Hugo, Times bestseller. World Fantasy, Locus, and multiple Hugo House Nebula awards, and her stories have 1634 11th Avenue been reprinted in multiple year's best Supported by the Susan C. Petrey Fellowship  Page 8 | The Seventh Week | SPRING 2020