Jessi Cole Jackson

I don’t have a lot of time. This morning was the first time since I’ve been here since I actually slept until my alarm, which I very stupidly set for after I wanted to be up (thinking it wouldn’t really matter and I would wake up sometime between 5am and 6am no matter what). I suppose it meant I needed the sleep, but still– at 7 am, I’m running behind!

Yesterday was the first round of critiques, which included mine. It went…alright. Not as well as I’d hoped, but not as badly as I feared. Does that make any sense?

In general people (including OSC) like the concept and the story and though we don’t talk about it very much, my writing, but… I don’t know.At least, that was my impression. Still, I feel unsure. I’m not sure where to go with it. I’m not sure if there is anywhere to go with it.

What I DO know is that I want to take all of these people home with me so they can critique ALL of my work. Cuz man are they good. Seriously. They brought up a TON of flaws, which was good (and what we’re here for), and I was right there with them for each one.

OSC claims that we’ll need to take a year away from what we work on here this week in order to really think about things and I believe him. It’s too hard to have any sort of perspective right now.

I got to eat this last night. You should be jealous.

Also yesterday was a very lovely evening out. The Cards took us all to a local restaurant and ordered us (or made us order) a ton of food. It was delightful. I think my favorite thing was a caprese salad with yellow tomatoes. Or possibly sitting next to Mrs. Card, who is possibly the sweetest woman I’ve ever met. I only wish I had been less tired and a better dinner companion.

It was a nice break from the writing/reading/critiquing and a lovely chance to just be people. Even if we were all really tired people.