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I’ve always liked to tell stories. A few years ago I
decided to write a novel. That sounds easy enough, right? I quickly realized
that writing was like any other art form. To do it well, you have to study good
work, practice continually to improve your craft and join groups that share
your passion. In writing, just like in glass, there are rules to follow and formulas
for success. Another thing writing and glass have in common, is that dreaded
learning curve. I’ve found that the best way to fast forward my skills and learn
trade secrets and shortcuts the pros use, is to attend workshops. At first it felt
strange to be the hopeful, wide-eyed novice sitting in the audience, instead of
the experienced presenter up front. But I got over it when I saw how quickly my
work improved.
Earlier this month, I attended the Florida Writers Association
mini conference titled, Get the Crime Right. The program was geared toward mystery
writers. My novel genre is suspense/paranormal. I attended anyway, because I’ve
gotten valuable insight from every presentation I’ve been to, including a racy poetry
reading. (But that’s another story…)
You never know what little tidbit you might pick up just by
putting yourself out there. In fact, I met a medium who talked to the dead victims
of a serial killer. She actually helped the police find the killer and they put
him away for life. She’s a great resource when I need an expert to check my paranormal
content for accuracy. Finding an experienced, unbiased reader who can explain
what’s not working in your story, is a huge benefit.
The most fascinating part of the conference was the presentation
on blood, by a working Miami crime scene investigator. The first thing she said
was, “TV has it all wrong; we don’t solve the crime in one hour.” She then showed
us how they study blood patterns to reconstruct a crime scene. Did you know blood
spray is called spatter, not splatter? And a bloody foot print is technically a
contact transfer. Cause of death is a
knife to the chest or blunt force trauma to the head, while manor of death is murder, accident, or suicide.
The conference stirred the sleuth in me. Since then, I’ve
been more keenly aware of things. I noticed that our trash man goes out of his
way for certain neighbors. He always has a wave and friendly smile for me, but
he leaves my empty trash can by the curb. For certain other neighbors, about 5
or 6 along my morning walk route, he goes out of his way to roll their empty
cans half way up their long driveways. One cold morning, I witnessed one of
those privileged neighbors heading to the street. He placed a foil covered
plate on top of the lid of his still full trash can just before the driver pulled
up to empty it. Heat rose off the foil in waves. I could smell the fresh baked goodies
tucked inside. A-ha, the trash man is a sucker for cinnamon buns. No big
surprise, who isn’t? Mystery solved; or so I thought.
Something continued to bother me. Later it occurred to me
that it was unlikely so many neighbors would leave food for the trash man. We
live in a heavily wooded area, crafty critters would be the ones getting fed. So
I investigated further. One morning, I came across that same neighbor as he was
retrieving his empty trash can from midway up his driveway. I asked him why he got
such special treatment. Turned out it wasn’t his baking but his dough. He’d given
the trash man a cash gift at the end of the year.
Now, when I take my morning walk I feel differently about
the people in those houses with the trash can pushed back from the curb. I feel
as though I know a little more about who they are and their character. Who
would have thought such a small detail, the location of a trash can, could be
so revealing?
That’s why I attend workshops. It’s exciting to be
challenged and thrilling to learn new things. By the way, if you walk my street
on trash day you’ll now see my emptied trash can won’t be by the curb, but left
a lot closer to the house. Because you never know who’s looking.
Be curious,
Lisa
Up Coming Workshops
Painting
with Frit, 2-Day, Hands-on, Glass Fusing Workshop
When:
Saturday, July 26th - Sunday, July 27th
Where:
Warner Stained Glass, Allentown, PA.
Register: Call 800-523-4242 to reserve your spot.
Registration Deadline: Friday, July 11.
For more Information: http://warnerstainedglass.com/classes.aspx
Fused Vessel
Sinks and More, 4-Day, Hands-on Glass Fusing Workshop
When: September, 16-19, 2014
Where: Wesley
Chapel, Florida.
Fired Up, 2-Day, Hands-on Glass Fusing Workshop
When: Thursday, October 16 – Friday, October 17.
Where: Pacific Art Glass, Gardena,
CA.
Painting with Frit, 2-Day, Hands-on Workshop
When: Saturday, October 18 - Sunday, October 19
Where: Pacific Art Glass, Gardena,
CA.
News from the
Studio. You can now subscribe to my
newsletter on my website or on Facebook.
FREE Pattern of the week is now available on my website click
artist studio/Pattern of the week
Web www.LisaVogt.net
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk
Facebook www.Facebook.com/LisaJVogt
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk
Facebook www.Facebook.com/LisaJVogt
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