This reminds me, I’ve been meaning to get a copy of ‘Clown Girl’ -- moving it up on the reading list!
And for someone who’s not “technically a teacher”, you’re a pretty damn good teacher. I consider my subscription to this SubStack to be one of the best purchases/investments I’ve ever made.
Also: a year has gone by and ‘Greener Pastures’ has a conclusion. Time has flown by like a bullet, but hey, great literature! Look forward to reading the physical copy that releases in 2024 from (unfortunately not green-rimmed) cover to cover.
Thanks! Colton, Krissy and I went to her mixer at the Rose City Book Pub on Sunday. It was a blast! That was my first time meeting her. I'm a fan. 🥰May have to miss Hindsight Story Night for a couple of her workshops.
Perfect. She mentioned that mixer. Monica has a much deeper education in lit, and she can steer you to more authors and techniques. I'm limited to Minimalism and Ira Levin and pop culture.
Really?? Mom is going to be drowning in puzzle pieces. She also mentioned this special puzzle glue because she wants to put them on pieces of cardboard.
And I don't feel right not showing you gratitude for the gifts lol
The glow-in-the-dark came out pretty cool. It's probably my favorite.
I kind of do, but it's the weekly workshop. My dream is to begin traveling and find bars across the country where I can teach a mini-everything course.
Thanks for the info. I would go but Mondays are one of the nights I have my daughter. I would love to learn under a fellow costume wearer. Maybe someday the perfect opportunity will arise. I am moving towards a promotion to a full time remote work schedule so my Portland trips can be more frequent. I'll stick with the Thursday workshops if you'll still have me 🤣
All joking aside, I did tell the discord people that the best gift they could give you is a good story or tell you an interesting personal anecdote. This was after encouraging them to fly in for a workshop session.
At my local Walgreens, near the counter, they sold the One Chip Challenge things. Have you heard of them, Chuck? They come in coffin-shaped boxes. You get one chip per box and it's infused with some of the hottest peppers. Carolina Reaper and Scorpion. Two days ago, I spent seven bucks on that one chip because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
The challenge was, you're supposed to eat the whole thing and wait as long as you can without eating or drinking. I ate just a corner of it. Because I really didn't wanna do it. At first, it was okay. Chewed and swallowed the small piece without much reaction. But then the heat snuck up on me. Set a trail-blaze down my throat. I was coughing, tears rolled down my face.
I didn't last long, nor did I want to.
Sips of milk provided some relief. For a few seconds. But like a trick candle, the heat came back.
Then about an hour later, my stomach was killing me. Drank more milk, and ate Tums.
You can probably guess what it was like coming out.
Am I weird for wanting to eat the rest of that chip?
People tell me that "hot" is usually acid or alkali, so the fix is to ingest the opposite. Thus, when eating hot peppers (alkaline) you should bite a lime slice (acid).
Gordon Ramsay was on Hot Ones and to mitigate the hot sauce, he was squirting lemon juice and lime juice in his mouth, eating donuts (sugar might also help), and drinking Pepto-Bismol. So the lime, I can believe.
I used to like the Taoist saying: “When the student is ready the Teacher will come,” but have recently begun thinking it CONnotes fatalism, inhibits autodidactic ambition(s), and allots too great credit to instructors.
Thank you for recommending (she/her workshop sounds phenomenal), would love to attend a future workshop (and get an excuse to come visit Portland)!
This is a bit out of left field, but does anyone know a good teacher/intro into the world of screenwriting? I finally picked up a copy of McKee's "STORY," and would be grateful for any other recommendations for a total novice. Thanks!
Monica has graciously provided myself, Cody Sexton (Anxiety Press), and Sebastian Vice (Outcast Press) with a blurb for the Charity Anthology we are curating!
Ouch, sorry. You might ask Suzy Vitello on her 'Stack. Several of Tom's original students have started workshops in various cities.
https://substack.com/profile/1396492-suzy-vitello
Thanks for the suggestion! Is this in person or virtual?
I think it's in-person, but if Monica can swing the technology she might offer it online as well.
Here’s to hoping it’s virtual as well! Thank you so much!
Here's her 'Stack.
https://monicadrake.substack.com/
This reminds me, I’ve been meaning to get a copy of ‘Clown Girl’ -- moving it up on the reading list!
And for someone who’s not “technically a teacher”, you’re a pretty damn good teacher. I consider my subscription to this SubStack to be one of the best purchases/investments I’ve ever made.
Also: a year has gone by and ‘Greener Pastures’ has a conclusion. Time has flown by like a bullet, but hey, great literature! Look forward to reading the physical copy that releases in 2024 from (unfortunately not green-rimmed) cover to cover.
And Consider This is the best book on writing. I tell people to buy it and read it before any other writing book.
One of my favorite pieces of advice from the book: “Problem: Your writing isn’t as good as Amy Hempel’s. Consider: No one’s is.”
Started her collection this morning, and am loving it.
Sounds like a great experience. If I lived closer, I'd definitely be considering it.
Thanks! Colton, Krissy and I went to her mixer at the Rose City Book Pub on Sunday. It was a blast! That was my first time meeting her. I'm a fan. 🥰May have to miss Hindsight Story Night for a couple of her workshops.
Perfect. She mentioned that mixer. Monica has a much deeper education in lit, and she can steer you to more authors and techniques. I'm limited to Minimalism and Ira Levin and pop culture.
Oh man, the way Monica describes her class sounds like relief. Relaxation. There's no pressure, just play. I wish I had the wherewithal to join.
And I appreciate how you use your platform to elevate other writers and creators. You glorify others.
Not sure if you got it. I left a thank-you for the box and sympathy card.
Hey, I found an even better puzzle today. Sending it. And no thanks necessary.
Really?? Mom is going to be drowning in puzzle pieces. She also mentioned this special puzzle glue because she wants to put them on pieces of cardboard.
And I don't feel right not showing you gratitude for the gifts lol
The glow-in-the-dark came out pretty cool. It's probably my favorite.
Good. I worried over the glow-in-the-dark ones because they seemed so easy. Still, they glowed! I'd never seen that.
I want you to teach an in-person class <3
I kind of do, but it's the weekly workshop. My dream is to begin traveling and find bars across the country where I can teach a mini-everything course.
If we got a bar in Seattle on-board, you'd have that plus Randy in NYC for a start!
A good idea. And I could probably make trips to Seattle.
I will start to search !
She won me at no homework. If its virtual, I'm all in.
It starts the day I turn 39. Too bad my camper van is kaput. Gotta project my consciousness to the rose city book pub or remote view the class.
Thanks for the info. I would go but Mondays are one of the nights I have my daughter. I would love to learn under a fellow costume wearer. Maybe someday the perfect opportunity will arise. I am moving towards a promotion to a full time remote work schedule so my Portland trips can be more frequent. I'll stick with the Thursday workshops if you'll still have me 🤣
Still, share the opportunity. Please help get out the word.
I will do that. I hear she eats cake with her students.
(pensive face)
All joking aside, I did tell the discord people that the best gift they could give you is a good story or tell you an interesting personal anecdote. This was after encouraging them to fly in for a workshop session.
At my local Walgreens, near the counter, they sold the One Chip Challenge things. Have you heard of them, Chuck? They come in coffin-shaped boxes. You get one chip per box and it's infused with some of the hottest peppers. Carolina Reaper and Scorpion. Two days ago, I spent seven bucks on that one chip because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
The challenge was, you're supposed to eat the whole thing and wait as long as you can without eating or drinking. I ate just a corner of it. Because I really didn't wanna do it. At first, it was okay. Chewed and swallowed the small piece without much reaction. But then the heat snuck up on me. Set a trail-blaze down my throat. I was coughing, tears rolled down my face.
I didn't last long, nor did I want to.
Sips of milk provided some relief. For a few seconds. But like a trick candle, the heat came back.
Then about an hour later, my stomach was killing me. Drank more milk, and ate Tums.
You can probably guess what it was like coming out.
Am I weird for wanting to eat the rest of that chip?
People tell me that "hot" is usually acid or alkali, so the fix is to ingest the opposite. Thus, when eating hot peppers (alkaline) you should bite a lime slice (acid).
If this kills you, sorry.
Gordon Ramsay was on Hot Ones and to mitigate the hot sauce, he was squirting lemon juice and lime juice in his mouth, eating donuts (sugar might also help), and drinking Pepto-Bismol. So the lime, I can believe.
I used to like the Taoist saying: “When the student is ready the Teacher will come,” but have recently begun thinking it CONnotes fatalism, inhibits autodidactic ambition(s), and allots too great credit to instructors.
Thank you for recommending (she/her workshop sounds phenomenal), would love to attend a future workshop (and get an excuse to come visit Portland)!
This is a bit out of left field, but does anyone know a good teacher/intro into the world of screenwriting? I finally picked up a copy of McKee's "STORY," and would be grateful for any other recommendations for a total novice. Thanks!
Save the Cat by Blake Synder
The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers by Christopher Vogler
I can attest by personal experience, Monica Drake is an amazing teacher.
Monica has graciously provided myself, Cody Sexton (Anxiety Press), and Sebastian Vice (Outcast Press) with a blurb for the Charity Anthology we are curating!