So, remember how I told you I was going to be teaching a creative writing class at the Brandywine YMCA starting this January? Well, registration for Y members opened this week, and open registration begins next week. Here are the details:

ADULT FICTION WRITING WORKSHOP

Calling all closet writers! Dust off your manuscripts and bring them to class. We'll discuss the craft of creative writing and workshop your short stories and novel excerpts (no poetry, please). Want to try your hand at writing, but have nothing prepared? We will also do weekly writing exercises to help you get those juices flowing - and get your ideas onto the page! Our instructor is award-winning young adult novelist Lara Zeises, whose novel True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet (written under her pseudonym Lola Douglas) was recently made into a Lifetime television movie. Class is limited to 10 students.

Day/Time: Mon 01/12/09 - 2/18/09 7:00-8:00 pm
Fees: Full Members $48 / Program Members + Public $54

You can find the rest of the registration information here.

Registration also opened this week for the SCBWI of Eastern PA's 17th Annual Pocono Mountain Retreat, which will be held at the lovely Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort from April 3-5, 2009. This year's theme is "Inspire the Fire." I'm so excited, because I've heard such wonderful things about this conference over the years, and not only do I get to attend, but I'm going to be the keynote speaker for Friday night! The workshops look fabulous, too - I'm especially interested in Verla Kay's one on creating a web site that works for you, because I almost feel like in this day and age, the author web site is dead. I mean, it's really more about the blog and the Facebook page and the Twitter updates, isn't it? All of which overwhelm me on a regular basis.

On an unrelated note: Thankfully, the unrelenting rain has finally (!) moved on out. My head feels like it weighs a thousand pounds, and my sinuses are like, "Hi, we feel like size 10 feet shoved into size 6 shoes. How's it going?" Oy.

Happy weekend, everyone!

So, after a three-year hiatus, I'm heading back to the Brandywine YMCA this January, to teach beginning creative writing. (An advanced class will be offered in the spring.) I like teaching at the Y; it's not only rewarding, but I've made some great and lasting friendships with former students. In fact, one of my original students-turned-friends just got serious interest from a major agent on her middle grade mystery series (it was a revise-and-resubmit sort of thing, with the stipulation that if she got any other interest/offers, the agent would sign her on the spot). But - and you knew there was a but, right? - filling out the paperwork to teach a weekly, one-hour-long class at the Y is so overwhelming, I cannot believe it. First, just to apply, there are like 8,000 forms, including one authorizing a background check. You need to give five separate references, all of which get checked. Then, when you're hired, there's another 8,000 forms. I had to sign one declining a Hep B vaccination because I'd already gotten it! Thank god I went through most of the rigamarole before, or else I'd have to watch videos on blood-borne pathogens, how AIDS is transmitted between people, and warning signs for child abuse. It's bad enough that in March I need to get re-certified in infant, child, and adult CPR. All to teach a creative writing class! Yowzers.

There's another benefit to teaching at the Y that makes all of the hoop-jumping worthwhile, and it's that as part of my compensation, I get a family membership for $26/mo., instead of $80+/mo. I also get an hourly salary that will not only cover that $26, but put some gas money in my pocket. So who am I to complain? The membership is good at every Y in the state, so I can meet Candy at the Bear branch or Carolee at the Kirkwood Highway one. Or, I can do stuff at the Brandywine branch before/after class. Plus, it's too cold to keep taking Joe to the Delcastle track, so it'll be nice to have a warm and toasty place to work out.

Registration for the creative writing class opens to Y members on Monday; I'll post the details then.

Now, for something completely random: why can't I find any mp3 downloads of the Original Broadway Cast recording for ANNIE? I've listened to all of the other Annies singing "Maybe," and no one can even come close to the heartbreaking tones of one Ms. Andrea McArdle. I'm DYING for this soundtrack. Amazon.com sent me a $5 gift certificate toward an mp3 purchase, and they have all of the other ANNIE soundtracks - except the one I've been wanting for two years. I should just break down and buy the CD, but I don't listen to CDs anymore. *sigh*

Oh, and file this under WTF?:

This holiday season, celebrate the historic accomplishment of our movement for change. Treat yourself or a loved one to a limited edition Obama coffee mug.

Why is our president-elect hawking coffee mugs as Christmas gifts? Seriously, does anyone else find that a little degrading? I mean, the e-mail came directly from Obama's camp, complete with linkage.

Maybe it's me, but something about that seems a little off.

Lastly, tomorrow (12/5) I will be signing books as myself and Lola at the Bel Air Barnes & Noble, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. It's part of a fundraiser for the Harford County Public Library. I think signed copies will be available after the event, as well, so if you can't make it but want a signed copy for a loved one (you know, instead of an Obama mug), that's where you should go.

This will probably be my last post until Monday. Four posts in one week! I'm getting better every day ...