Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Hedgebrook, Writing and Space Dreams




Hedgebrook isn't a retreat. It's an advance.

Gloria Steinem


I bet you've forgotten that last year I was awarded a three-week writing residency at Hedgebrook on Whidbey Island. I haven't forgotten, but I do admit to thinking it was a dream and that June would materialize and I would be doing the usual June kind of thing which I write about ad nauseum here on the old blog. The thing is, it isn't a dream, and in a little over a month, I will be flying to Seattle and then to my little cottage to write and walk and read for three whole weeks. I met a poet the other day who had just completed a residency there. She was also a judge for the grants, and while the applications are anonymous, she told me that the nearly 1500 of them were of very high quality. She said, You must be a really fine writer, and I demurred and then wondered why I couldn't just accept that I'd gotten one, that I had worked hard for it and that this three weeks is deserved. The place is magical, she said. You will write and you will rest.


Again, a dream.


I  told a friend that I write now whenever I have a free moment and certainly for hours and hours each night. There's no writer's block for me, to tell you the truth, and the writing is a pleasure, not work.  I write under pressure, the pressure of life, in the spaces around life -- a life of teenagers and the minutia of extreme parenting (the seizures, the diapers, the wrestling with systems of care) -- and it will be quite an adjustment to just write with space and life merged. Does that make sense?


This place expands time.

Carolyn Forche


It's still a dream, I realize, as I type it out.

I'll be working on a project that I've longed to shape into a book. I'll be drawing on some of the How We Do It posts and hopefully weave them into meditations about disability and identity, about what makes us human or Other and so forth. It's inchoate and also pushing to be written. I have my old manuscript as well to shape up and finish, a memoir that has never been given a proper story arc and that demands an ending. I think I have an ending in our cannabis story and hope to gain some of my juju back and finish it up.

Check out who is on the Creative Advisory Council at Hedgebrook here.

Good lord. I told you it was like a dream, and I half expect to get a peck on the shoulder at some point with an apology for what was, apparently, a mistake. Oh my goodness, they might say, the Elizabeth Aquino that we chose is doing cutting edge work about poverty in the Phillipines! We are so sorry! Then they'll hand me a basket of food and a kayak to make my way back to the mainland, back to life and writing in and of the spaces around that life.


Wake up!



23 comments:

  1. It's happening. I'm so thrilled for you. This honor is so very deserved.

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  2. Of course I remember. I remember the look on your face as you were standing with that poet, the woman you admired so much. I think she had her arm around you. You were in heaven! And you're going back - you are so loved.

    So, no, is not a dream. It is not a fantasy and no one is going to burst your bubble. You're going to do something great there, and if you never even write a single word you're still going to do something great there.

    I couldn't be happier for you!

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    1. Hi, Liv! You're thinking of my week of respite that I got a couple of years ago from Heather McHugh's organization, Caregifted. That was pure bliss. This June/July residency is for three weeks, specifically for writing. I applied last summer and got my acceptance in the fall.

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  3. Pack your twinkle lights, baby. You are going!
    And no one in this world deserves it as much or more than you.
    Love...Mary

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  4. I am so very happy for you, and can't wait to welcome you to Washington! You deserve this time of peace and grace.

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    1. Thank you, Karen! It'll be grand to see you!

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  5. You so deserve it and great things will come from your presence there. The best time of year here with interesting skies and sun and rain and sun. I didn't forget and I'm thrilled for you.

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  6. Hahahaha. You deserve your residency, for sure! So happy for you. Do not kayak outta there.
    And I adore your new header.

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  7. I am so happy for you and selfishly, I look forward to getting to read the words you write while there.

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  8. I did not forget, I just couldn't remember when. You are a brilliant writer and so of course it's not a dream. It's not surprising you were chosen out of 1500. I am thrilled for you. I will get your autograph when I see you so I can say I knew you all along!

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  9. I am impressed that you have so many projects in the works. You are not only a fine writer, you're an industrious one! I can't wait to see what emerges during your time away.

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  10. So happy for you! I hope to go to a writer's retreat one day.

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  11. I didn't forget. I'm so glad you were able to arrange to go, and that you will have this opportunity to focus on your writing. It feels like a combination writing retreat and caregift! I'm so happy for you and as someone else said, eager to read what comes from this experience. Wow, what a board of directors! They know what they're doing in choosing you! Congratulations.

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  12. Woot! I'm excited and happy for you Elizabeth. Of course you've been chosen, no surprise there. You are a marvel.
    love,
    yo

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  13. They could not have chosen any more wisely. Whatever comes of this gift will be exactly right, for you and for the world. So happy, big and silly happy, for you, for this. xo

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  14. I remember when you said you were chosen for this and am thrilled that the wonderful time is nigh. Looking forward to hearing about it and reading the words that you will weave together during your stay.

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  15. I haven't forgotten and I'm so happy that you'll have this time and space to write. I know how you feel to be told you're a fine writer. I always squirm a little when people tell me they love my photos. I think, but it's not hard, and what I mean is, it's not hard for me and it feels like a cheat to accept a compliment for something I enjoy so much. Have a fantastic time.

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  16. If you get a chance while there, come to Vancouver! (BC, not Washington), about a 2.5 hour drive north, depending on the border. Oh remember not to bring in a concealed weapon. This apparently happens as it is legal in the U.S. but not Canada to do so. Ha, not that you would.
    It would be so awesome to hang out with you and go for lunch or something. Plus the Canadian dollar is so weak that you could buy many things and it would all cost $4 for you. I realize you won't have time most probably, but thought I'd throw that out there. - Karen

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  17. The residency sounds amazing. And so do your plans.

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  18. I can't wait to see what happens from all of this. And I do seriously hope our paths cross while you're up here in my neck of the woods - even if I have to kayak over there myself ;-).

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