This is Orchard House at John C. Campbell Folk School. Here, in the living room, in the middle part of the old farm house, I met Nancy Simpson thirteen years ago. That was a turning point in my life.We sat in the large room with big windows across the back, framing a veiw of field and forest and mountains, and wrote poems all day for five days in a row.
Now added on the far end of the house, just last year, a combination photo and writing studio houses eight Mac computers and a printer/copier. Some students prefer paper and pen and that is fine with me. I create better on paper than on the keyboard, but I LOVE the computer for re-writing. And we all know we must not be afraid to write badly, to pour out our thoughts, because we will re-write several times before we have a piece perfected.
Glenda, I will always remember meeting you at John C. Campbell Folk School. This is a good and welcoming photo of Orchard House. It is our home away from home and I do love the love the place. The porch light is on and I feel like I have to hurry and get home by dark. I'm being bold though and I 'm calling it The Writing Studio, I predict by the end of the year, we will have a sign on the door saying so. To me it is another dwelling place for practicing poets. Of course, it is a place for all writers no matter the genre. At this very moment, I am in the process of scheduling classes for 2010. Thanks for this memory.
ReplyDeleteGlenda,
ReplyDeleteI've take many writing classes in the Orchard House at the John C. Campbell Folk School and have many wonderful memories meeting unique people there. The writing and photo studio is great and I'm so thankful the Folk School has added this to enrich the writing program there. Thanks for all you do teaching at the Folk School.
Wow - what a wonderful experience to write for five days all day!
ReplyDeleteGlenda-my handwriting is so sloppy I prefer the computer. But love the thought of sitting down with nothing but pen and paper. Glad you enjoyed your recent class at the Folk School.
ReplyDeleteGlenda, from now on when I pass that house I'll think of you and Nancy. Writing for five days sounds difficult to me though.
ReplyDeleteSam
Sam, It is such a wonderful time, spending a week in a writing class at JCCFS. We don't write constantly, every hour. We talk, we read our work and discuss it, and the instructor teaches, of course. When weather is nice, we go outside and write, or sit in the living room and write.
ReplyDeleteNothing is better, to me, than spending a week concentrating on writing.
Try it. I think you'll like it.
Thanks you all for your comments.
Glenda
I stayed in Orchard House while at John C., and made friends with two fabulous women with whom I have stayed in touch and visited --Orchard House is indeed a magical place within an already awesome one that is the folk school itself!
ReplyDeleteKatherine Estes Billmeier