Hatrack River Writers Workshop Hosted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury • Introduction • Enter the Forum Write to Kathleen Dalton Woodbury Former Boot Campers Success Stories • Chris Todd Miller • Jessi Cole Jackson • Brian McClellan • Ty Franck • 2008 Bootcamp • S.D. Smith • John Brown • Brad Beaulieu • Jamie Ford • Judson Roberts • Danielle Friedman • Scott Andrews • Christine Amsden • Patricia Esden • Rick Novy • Aliette de Bodard • Alethea Kontis • Mary Robinette Kowal • Scott Roberts • Mette Harrison • Eric James Stone • James Maxey • Luc Reid • Douglas Cohen Links of Interest • OSC urges writers to look at this LA Times interview with mystery writer Robert Crais Says OSC: "Crais, one of my favorite writers, has come quite independently to many of the same conclusions I've reached - and which I've taught in my writing workshops for years. It's nice to have an independent source for the ideas! Besides, Crais is an outstanding writer who deserves to be listened to for his own sake." • Parker column: A writer teaches writing • Garrison Keillor's Excellent Advice about MFA Programs • Want a critique of your manuscript from a published author? Mette Ivie Harrison has been praised as one of the finest writers of fantasy and YA literature working today - and she has taught writing workshops with OSC • Bernard Cornwell shares OSC's emphasis on story, letting the author's voice take care of itself. (Thanks to Scott Roberts for pointing this out.) • Comments on Uncle Orson’s Literary Boot Camp • Hatrack Utility Belt • Tor Submissions Guidelines • Using invented language in speculative fiction

Former Bootcamper Scott Roberts won second place in the 2004 third-quarter Writers of the Future contest for his novella "Blackberry Witch." Our congratulations. Anybody who can think of talking to a ghost in a mason jar understands storytelling.

Here's what Scott Roberts had to say:

"I'm utterly elated.

"The story deals with a witch trying to put her life back together after her divorce. She and her familiar resolve to hunt down a wizard with the magic to reshape their desperate lives. But when that magic turns out to be housed in the body of a nine-year old child, they must wrestle with the price that their desires will exact.

"Did I mention I'm excited about this? The idea for the story came to me as I drove home to Virginia from Boot Camp. I developed it using a lot of the tools you spoke about at Boot Camp-- outlining, wise reading, etc. The most difficult part of writing this piece was the editing -- I cut and shuffled away about 1500 words, and tightened the plot. It was like being forced to trim my fingernails too short. But I can't argue with the results!

"Again-- thanks very much for Boot Camp. The skills I learned there have been invaluable in getting published."

And thanks for the testimonial, Scott. But the Boot Camp teaches only the lessons you're ready to learn - and then apply in your writing. The credit belongs to you!