The first week of Odyssey is done. Whew! It’s been a fun ride so far, and not as difficult as I had imagined, but I can see the rapids up ahead. During the six weeks here, each student will submit six stories (or novel chapters) of up to 6000 words to be critiqued in various ways. For the first two weeks you can submit stories that have been worked on pre-Odyssey. After that, it is supposed to be all new (or heavily revised) material. So, starting in week 3, I imagine the tension and lack of sleep will climb to new heights.

Because of the submission schedule, I haven’t had any feedback yet, but that will definitely change this week. Last week I submitted a story that I had written before I came which was mailed to Craig Shaw Gardener. He’ll be here this coming week and he and I will have a one-on-one session to discuss (he’ll discuss, I’ll listen) that story on Friday. It was fantasy/humor. I can’t wait to hear what he has to say.

Tonight, I’ve submitted a second story which will be distributed to the class tomorrow and will be critiqued by everyone, including the instructor, Jeanne Cavelos, in class on Tuesday. This one is horror. I had it written in rough draft form before I came, but based just on what I’ve picked up in the first week, it’s been nearly entirely rewritten. This is the one I’m most nervous about because no one has seen it, so I have no idea if it’s any good. Also, many of my classmates have already submitted and been critiqued in class, so I’ve seen how talented they are and now it will be time to turn the tables.

Finally, I will schedule a meeting with Jeanne this week, after my class critique in which she’ll go over my first three stories – the one I’ve submitted tonight for the Tuesday critique and the two I submitted before I came – and tell me where I need to improve. We’ll also work out a plan for me to work on for the next two weeks, targeting one or more of my weaknesses.

This weekend, I’ve put in about 9 hours of critique work and 6 or 7 hours of writing (not to mention laundry, a group cookout on Friday and group dinner on Sunday, calls to and from home, etc.). It’s felt like a relaxing weekend – that’s how intense the weekdays are. Tomorrow I have only one critique to do (because the 2nd story is mine) and possibly an exercise, so no more than 4 hours of homework. That feels like a day off. I’ll actually have time to write! I think I have the plot for my third story worked out and I’ll start on the rough draft tonight. If all goes well, I’m hoping to have the rough draft done by end-of-day tomorrow.

Odyssey tidbits (for when you come):

– The beds are not as bad as I’d heard (I put a memory foam pad on mine, so that may make the difference).

– New Hampshire roads are confusing. Bring a GPS.

– The campus coffee shop makes a good philly cheesteak

– Drive if you can and bring everything you can think of. It’s really nice when your bedroom feels a little bit like home.

– Bring kitchen stuff. It’s a great way to break the ice and meet your classmates. I brought lots of tea which I’ve been sharing and a waffle iron (a waffle breakfast is in the planning stages).

– Bring your humility. Not only will you learn tons in the class, but you’ll also be surrounded by a group of very talented people.

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