{"id":5992,"date":"2010-10-05T20:38:24","date_gmt":"2010-10-06T01:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.epictales.org\/treskillard\/2010\/10\/05\/i-m-back-from-the-laity-lodge-writers-retreat\/"},"modified":"2010-10-05T20:38:24","modified_gmt":"2010-10-06T01:38:24","slug":"i-m-back-from-the-laity-lodge-writers-retreat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.epictales.org\/treskillard\/2010\/10\/05\/i-m-back-from-the-laity-lodge-writers-retreat\/","title":{"rendered":"The Laity Lodge Writers Retreat: A Travelogue"},"content":{"rendered":"

I arrived back form the western foothills of Texas on Sunday night<\/strong>, and thought I’d write about my experience at the Laity Lodge Writers Retreat<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n

\"Laity
\nThe Laity Lodge courtyard and fountain.<\/em><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

(The following notes are as best as I can remember, so if I have forgotten details or gotten the order of events mixed up… mea culpa!)<\/p>\n

Thursday<\/h2>\n

After six hours of travel<\/strong> (four flying and two driving), I arrived at the lodge, making friends with Cameron Lawrence on the way: a poet and soon to be father. Olga drove us—right through the river in the canyon—the only way to get to the lodge!<\/p>\n

\"Laity
\nThe view of the “road through the river” out the back of Olga’s jeep.<\/em><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

After settling into my room<\/strong> that I shared with David Meacham<\/a><\/strong>, I went and explored the Frio River, which had been dammed up to make a kayaking, swimming, and fishing area in front of the lodge. Amazing!<\/p>\n

\"Laity
\nThe Laity Lodge great hall and dining room across the Frio River in southwest Texas.<\/em><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

While I was waiting for our orientation session to start, I spoke briefly with author Ross Lawhead<\/a><\/strong>, Stephen R. Lawhead<\/a><\/strong>‘s son. We chatted about his and his father’s books, and then I went to sit down again. <\/p>\n

I was very nervous about approaching his dad, who shortly entered the room. <\/p>\n

Well, I had nothing to worry about, because within about five minutes, Stephen Lawhead approached me!<\/em><\/strong> Ross must have mentioned my name, and Stephen must have recognized it from my writing sample as well as Tegid<\/a><\/strong> mentioning my name at the Dallas book signing.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>Anyway, we spoke for awhile, and he was very friendly!<\/strong> Soon the bell tolled for dinner, and I was able to sit across from him and we spoke at length about The Skin Map<\/a><\/strong> and the direction the series will take. <\/p>\n

At the session that night, Steven Purcell<\/a><\/strong> (the director of Laity Lodge) shared the history of Laity Lodge<\/a><\/strong>, as well as the H.E.B. Grocery store chain and the family that founded it. It is truly amazing what God has done!<\/p>\n

The worship music<\/strong> was provided by Ashley Cleveland and Kenny Greenburg<\/a><\/strong>, and it was heartfelt, fun, and jazzy with a touch of soul.<\/p>\n

David and I stayed up late talking about writing, and soon it was…<\/p>\n

Friday<\/h2>\n

I slept in until breakfast … and here I must express my thanks to the kitchen staff<\/strong> for graciously providing me with vegetarian alternatives where needed. While I eat eggs and fish, it was wonderful to have fresh salads, quinoa, squash, mashed potatoes, and an asian cabbage dish as alternatives at the various meals!<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>Scott Cairns<\/strong>, a poet and professor from Mizzou (the University of Missouri, Columbia) gave the devotional that morning, reading from his book The End of Suffering<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Afterward, we had our first fiction writing workshop with Jeffrey Overstreet<\/a><\/strong>. Jeffrey has written the excellent Auralia’s Colors series, and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment arriving next Spring: The Ale Boy’s Feast<\/a><\/strong>. I had Jeffrey sign all my copies of his books, woo-hoo!<\/p>\n

\"Auralia's<\/a>At lunch I sat with Jeffrey and his wife and got to know them a little better.<\/p>\n

Then came free time, and I spent some time kayaking on the Frio river<\/strong> … absolutely clear and fresh. Amazing! <\/p>\n

At the end of my journey, Marcus Goodyear<\/a><\/strong> and I had a talk about our books and struggles … he laying on the floating dock and me sitting on the kayak. This was fun, because Marcus and I met online a few years ago, and the writers retreat is his brainchild. Thanks, Marcus!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

At dinner I was able to eat with Stephen Lawhead<\/a> in front of me, and Jeffrey Overstreet<\/a> next to me, so that was quite amazing.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

The general session that night was by Jeffrey Overstreet on how to tell stories. Excellent, heartfelt, insightful, and touching.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Laity
\nRobert with Jeffrey Overstreet.<\/em><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>Stephen Lawhead also signed my two copies of <\/strong>The Skin Map<\/a><\/strong> (one to give away next month as part of the CSFF Blog Tour), and book one from The Song of Albion: The Paradise War<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Stephen, Ross, and I had a fun time<\/strong> trying to figure out which edition the book was and where it was published… because I had bought it recently to replace one lent and never seen again. This copy was slightly smaller than the standard edition, and we finally concluded that it must have been a book club edition.<\/p>\n

I would have brought all my books for him to sign, but, alas, my suitcase would have exploded!<\/em><\/p>\n

Soon it was…<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/h2>\n

The morning was a blur, the workshop with Jeffrey excellent, and I soon found myself preparing to meet Stephen Lawhead for my 45 minute writer’s consultation about Merlin’s Shadow<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Beforehand I went to the art center<\/strong> and made a bead necklace for my wife, Robin, from the hundreds of beads they had available. The art supplies are all free, and I was able to make something special for her.<\/p>\n

\"Laity
\nRobert with Stephen Lawhead, his son, Ross, and wife, Alice.<\/em><\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

At the consultation I received one-on-one help from the master novelist himself.<\/strong> Stephen has a unique perspective ideally suited to advising me, and he helped me realize:<\/p>\n

\"Merlin's<\/a><\/p>\n