Information on this year's boot camp has been posted. It'll be June 18-23 in Greensboro, N.C.
I promised myself that no matter what, I was going to stop wishing I could apply and just go ahead and do it. Who's with me?
Posted by Osiris (Member # 9196) on :
Oh I'd love to go, but we've got munchkin #2 on the way and the due date is June 26th.
Posted by LeetahWest (Member # 9402) on :
I would LOVE to go. Unfortunately I just did an estimated calculation of the cost and it's not looking pretty. Flight and hotel would be between $600.00 and $700.00 from Salt Lake. Renting a car/paying for gas and a hotel would be around $900.00. That cost goes down exponentially the more people that tag along, but the only person I think I could con into going with me would be my sister, so it would be $450.00. That number is more doable, but I don't think my husband will be easy to convince since he would rather spend that money on our anniversary the week before. . . here's to hoping.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I too would like to go but I'm with the rest of them. The flight for me would cost even more than Leetah's. I have some money saved for a workshop but not quite that much.
But I would like to know if I could make the cut but there's only one way to find out.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Been thinking about this quite a bit...
Posted by Corin224 (Member # 2513) on :
Well, speaking from personal experience, it's worth just putting something to paper to see if you actually can make the cut. There's nothing to motivate you like an acceptance letter . . . or a rejection letter, for that matter.
And if you CAN go, it's very much worth it. It's a LOT of work, and even quite uncomfortable at times, but a decade later, I'm still quoting and using the stuff I learned there.
You absolutely should do it if you can.
Just my $.02
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
I agree with Corin224. If you get the opportunity, take it. It might be one of those times that you break out the credit card or hit up a friend for a little loan to help get you there.
Also, consider sharing a room with a fellow Boot Camper. I did and it took a lot of the sting out of cost. It's not bad sharing a room with a stranger because by the end of the week you all know each other very well anyway and you're working so hard there's not a lot of time for much other than writing, critting and sleeping.
And if you do get to go and can pull it off, I recommend finishing your story early and going through the crit process on the first or second day so you'll have less stress the rest of the week.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
I was crossing my fingers that OSC would hold the boot camp in Utah, which would have meant I could drive instead of fly. But I don't mind North Carolina. I lived there for almost a decade and miss it sometimes. Yes, it's expensive, but that's why I've been saving my pennies for the past year. Posted by EVOC (Member # 9381) on :
Man, Utah would have been a days drive away for me in Northern California. I was hoping for that too. I've been out to N.C. and it is beautiful but I don't know if we can stomach the cost.
I may try to get in anyway. I think I will look into it. I am sure even if I didn't get into the boot camp the two day class would be worth it!
[ January 19, 2012, 02:03 PM: Message edited by: EVOC ]
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Hmm, they don't mind you trying even though you're probably not going?
Posted by Merlion-Emrys (Member # 7912) on :
Well, if I had the money I'd gladly lend or give it to one of you, since I don't really care about going...I'm sure it's great and all, but not really my style. Sadly I'm penniless.
Is there any sort of rhyme or reason to where it'd held?
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
OSC lives in Greensboro. Since he had a stroke a year ago, he probably wants to keep the workshop close to home. But that's complete speculation on my part.
Posted by Merlion-Emrys (Member # 7912) on :
That was supposed to be "it's".
So, was it always in Utah before?
I ask because, unless it rotates here and there all over the country...between travel costs and the cost to get in...it's likely to be a bit outside the reach of most working-class folks.
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
It used to alternate each year between east and west coast. The year I went was the only year he did two Boot Camps, one on each side of the country. Then as said, after the stroke, he's probably looking to keep it close to home, for now.
Posted by LeetahWest (Member # 9402) on :
It has rotated in the past. He used to come to Utah often in that rotation though, if I am correct. I jumped on the bandwagon a few years too late. I could come up with the money for the 2 day class no problem, even the boot camp (if I could make the cut) would be doable. But when you add in the travel expenses the feasibility (this year anyways) decreases dramatically.
Oh well, hopefully next year I can plan on attending and save up the money for the trip.
Posted by Dark Warrior (Member # 8822) on :
Last year he specifically said they will be in Greensboro, close to home, from now on. He didnt mention health but I suspect that plays a role. He did mention how it costs a lot more for him to hold it in Utah where he has to pay for his room and board too.
Though, I did see he is doing the scholarship again this year for those that have to watch the budget a lot closer.
Either way, I totally recommend going. The learning be worth it, and when he holds it near his home there are many perks for the students Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Well, darn. I wish I'd seen that scholarship form before I sent in the regular registration form. Oh well.
Posted by A Yeatts (Member # 9500) on :
If there's even a tiny chance you can pull off the financial and travel arrangements, apply! It's worth every penny. I learned so much... I'm still processing it all. And definitely get your story in early! Once the crits start all you'll be doing is trying to keep up with the reading (and maybe sneak in a couple hours of sleep).
There are other hotels in the area that you can stay at more cheaply. Might be worth it to check into those.
Posted by Treamayne (Member # 9700) on :
Epic Fail, I was so hoping this would be a week or two later than it is. That's the week I come home for 1 month frmo Afghanistan. I won't be back in time to attend though. So sad - I really wanted to try and make it. I'm home from 25 Jun to 25 Jul-ish.
Good luck to all that do get to apply though.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
Maybe I can try for next year... THis year won't work; my son has a bit too much separation anxiety . Oh well, gives me more time to save up $$$.
Melanie
Posted by SuziQ (Member # 9730) on :
Having never submitted for boot camp before, what goes on the first full page of the story that you submit? Does there need to be a story title? Any sort of byline or just the story on it's own? thanks.
Posted by C@R3Y (Member # 9669) on :
I live in NC, so I'm relatively close. I'm probably just going to the two day course. I don't have the money for the 6 day course, sadly.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
@SuziQ: I put a header on the page with my name (so it doesn't get mixed up with anyone else's), but that's it. The rest of it was story. There needs to be 250-300 words on the page, and you're not going to hit that when you're eating up space with titles and bylines. Good luck.
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
> Oh I'd love to go, but we've got munchkin #2 on > the way and the due date is June 26th.
Bah! Mette Ivie Harrison GAVE BIRTH during Boot Camp, and showed up the next day with the baby.
LOL Eric, the difference is Mette was the writer, not the spouse of the writer. While she just had to find the time (it looks like her husband didn't mind), I'd have to try and stay alive after my wife came after me with a kitchen knife.
Posted by wise (Member # 9779) on :
I am going to apply and cross my fingers. Do I need a cover letter if I am applying for the scholarship? Do I need to explain why I need it? (i.e. beg!)
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
I didn't get in. Oh well. I'll try again next year. Anyone else heard?
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
=(
Posted by SuziQ (Member # 9730) on :
I didn't either. Not terribly surprised. Enjoy, all those who make it in.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Sorry to hear that, Suzi. I was hoping and took it pretty hard, but that's part of being a writer. If you can't take rejection, this is the wrong profession.
Posted by SuziQ (Member # 9730) on :
I'm sorry for you too Jennifer. I can't say that rejection is easy but as you say, if you can't let it roll off, it's the wrong profession. I'm fairly new at writing other than with friends and so this rejection thing is new for me but I gather from the forum that I best get used to it. Good luck for next year!
Posted by Gan (Member # 8405) on :
I was rejected, too. I'm currently going through the "You're too dumb to write/No I'm not, shut up!" phase.
With any luck it will subside by tomorrow and I'll be able to get back on track.
Posted by SuziQ (Member # 9730) on :
Sorry Gan. I understand the feeling.
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
I don't think it has anything to do with your writing ability. Here's what my rejection said:
quote:Mr. Card asked me to make it clear, however, that not being accepted did not mean that your writing was judged “not good.” His decision was based solely on whether he felt that the writer could gain from and contribute to the type of workshop he runs.
So, for whatever reason, OSC determined that writers who are not us would benefit more from his instruction. That's all.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Yeah, rejections can be unpleasant. I haven't tried for the workshop since I wouldn't be able to go but I can understand how it would feel.
It's easy for the emotions to say one thing no matter what evidence there is to the contrary. Some writers let it slip off their backs but others of us have a bigger problem.
And I would one to try just to see if I could make it but as I said I wouldn't be able to go... more than likely.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
You could look at it this way: your stories didn't have the kind of problems that OSC wanted to talk about in his workshop.
Posted by wise (Member # 9779) on :
So if we had problems in our writing we could've gotten in? Now you tell me! LOL
I didn't get accepted for the workshop, but I'll try again next year. Maybe by then I'll have developed some serious literary deficiencies.
Seriously, the timing wasn't too good for me this year, as I have another important event to attend right before and it would've been a time crunch. So maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Just like Cubs fans always say, "There's always next year!"
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
. Oh well, gives me more time to save up $$$.