tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post6359546432922385013..comments2024-01-28T21:33:18.654-08:00Comments on VANESSA GEBBIE'S BLOG: My month as a Hawthornden FellowVanessa Gebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-8406545052081871102015-11-07T23:10:31.784-08:002015-11-07T23:10:31.784-08:00Hi Vanessa, I woke up to the fact that 2016 was go...Hi Vanessa, I woke up to the fact that 2016 was going to be 5 years from my previous visit to Hawthornden just a week before the applications closed this year. So excited to have been given the chance to go back. This time I will be at the beginning of a project - hoping for the kind of word count you achieved… thank you for the photos - it brought it all back. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-41327672933352806272015-01-28T03:35:39.896-08:002015-01-28T03:35:39.896-08:00Re an anonymous comment left to say the guidelines...Re an anonymous comment left to say the guidelines require Fellows not to write about the experience: I have just checked the guidelines I was sent, and they mention no such thing, and I am always somewhat wary of Anonymous posts, for good reason - and they get deleted. I mention the names of none of my colleagues in this post, and that is right - but it also seemed/seems right to give other writers the opportunity to apply for this wonderful residency. Here are some other posts and articles describing different writers' residencies in greater or lesser detail: Guardian April 2003 David Greig http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2003/apr/28/theatre.artsfeatures<br /><br />May issue, Poets and Writers, article by Sharon Mesmer about her month in residence at Hawthornden<br /><br />http://sarahhymas.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/hawthornden.html<br /><br />http://www.cometparty.com/2013/03/hawthornden-2/<br /><br />http://ajashworth.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/hawthornden-happiness.html<br /><br />http://gregoryleadbetter.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/after-hawthornden.html<br /><br />http://awfullybigblogadventure.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/writers-retreat-joan-lennon.html<br /><br />http://jennylewis.org.uk/2012/07/23/poets-retreat-in-a-scottish-castle/<br /><br />https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.636269239722168.1073741826.365316520150776&type=3<br /><br />http://rashaanalexismeneses.com/2013/07/30/where-i-learned-of-the-badgering-hour-june-2013-at-hawthornden-castle-part-i/<br /><br />http://mariafusco.net/events/hawthornden-fellow/ <br /><br />However - as always - if Hawthorn did not like the post for some reason, I'm sure they would by now, in the intervening two years, have contacted me. Vanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-87424191012764437482013-06-21T11:39:27.187-07:002013-06-21T11:39:27.187-07:00Hi Sheila - there is not a lot of info - but here ...Hi Sheila - there is not a lot of info - but here is one link - you ring up for an application pack<br />. Good luck. http://www.nawe.co.uk/DB/events-2/hawthornden-castle-international-retreat.htmlVanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-11689716646454524612013-06-15T22:12:59.454-07:002013-06-15T22:12:59.454-07:00Loved reading this. Would you be willing to share...Loved reading this. Would you be willing to share the link? I can't find any application information on the web. Sheila O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03636639345410591196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-14255710875640480332013-06-13T08:43:59.532-07:002013-06-13T08:43:59.532-07:00What a dream! I couldn't imagine anything more...What a dream! I couldn't imagine anything more magical or inspiring. Honestly, I didn't really know opportunities like this even existed. Another thing for the bucket list :)Alanna Rusnakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16122635933133324865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-80107652042878724012013-06-13T01:46:20.290-07:002013-06-13T01:46:20.290-07:00What a fantastic experience. Being able to get-off...What a fantastic experience. Being able to get-off-the-roundabout for a month - awesome!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-46064530301518147042013-01-16T06:47:45.607-08:002013-01-16T06:47:45.607-08:00Thanks for dropping in Cat - it is a real gift, in...Thanks for dropping in Cat - it is a real gift, indeed! Vanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-84873186378129451762013-01-16T03:49:04.546-08:002013-01-16T03:49:04.546-08:00Being a porridge fan this sort of start to a writi...Being a porridge fan this sort of start to a writing day sounds cosy and inspiring at the same time. What gorgeous light! What a gift from a generous host. I'm sure you worked well there! XcatThe Divorced Lady's Companion to Living in Italyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15202093107784073194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-45923849889247875752013-01-12T15:05:57.074-08:002013-01-12T15:05:57.074-08:00Ah but there was lots of porridge... xAh but there was lots of porridge... xVanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-29915976515096796692013-01-12T07:30:16.346-08:002013-01-12T07:30:16.346-08:00Sounds completely idyllic.
Sigh. Sounds completely idyllic. <br /><br />Sigh. Kath McGurlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02526923882402757423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-43615192168960667482013-01-06T14:52:11.608-08:002013-01-06T14:52:11.608-08:00How fantastic - it seems the universe was conspiri...How fantastic - it seems the universe was conspiring to have you in the right place for this novel. Many congratulations on the wonderful competition success, and subsequent publication - and thanks for reminding me - somewhere I have a photo of my bedroom f=door, complete with lunch hamper waiting ourside...Vanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-35121143218169354232013-01-06T14:11:39.995-08:002013-01-06T14:11:39.995-08:00I guess it wouldn't be for everyone, it felt a...I guess it wouldn't be for everyone, it felt a little like being in purdah, but if you have a definite writing goal and lots of distractions at home, then it is an amazing opportunity. I was there in September 2011 - what better place to edit a 16th c Scottish novel? <br />My first goal was a complete read aloud of my book in order to find parts that needed attention, - it is so much more productive reading in huge chunks - so I worked up at the new library in the walled garden. I spent 3 days reading to passing birds of prey, rabbits and even a young deer. Time seemed elastic. <br />I was happy with the finished product and was delighted when the novel went on to win the HF section in the Harper Collins / Alan Titchmarsh People's Novelist competition and was picked up by the Edinburgh-based publisher, Capercaillie Books. <br />It was a thrill in November 2012 to have Hamish (the administrator) attend the book launch and receive Hawthornden's copy. Now I get to have my name painted on the door of the bedroom I slept in - a lovely Hawthornden custom. <br />I'd recommend it to anyone who finds quiet, solitude and atmosphere the right ingredients for productive work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-44119109631211058782013-01-06T10:06:57.982-08:002013-01-06T10:06:57.982-08:00I'm sure you will go - and love it when you do...I'm sure you will go - and love it when you do xVanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-25483987558775995962013-01-06T09:44:15.864-08:002013-01-06T09:44:15.864-08:00Oh, now I really want to go! Thanks so much for al...Oh, now I really want to go! Thanks so much for all this.Merchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15011150737394796331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-87669828912513028032013-01-05T08:02:20.941-08:002013-01-05T08:02:20.941-08:00Have a brilliant four weeks, Camille. Have a brilliant four weeks, Camille. Vanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-16946219309861942152013-01-05T06:14:42.603-08:002013-01-05T06:14:42.603-08:00Thanks so much for this, Vanessa. I begin my resid...Thanks so much for this, Vanessa. I begin my residency tomorrow, so you can just imagine how excited I am right now!Camillehttp://www.camilledeangelis.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-33666888295554162322013-01-04T14:33:41.329-08:002013-01-04T14:33:41.329-08:00Hi Sue, you'd love it, I'm sure. But I do...Hi Sue, you'd love it, I'm sure. But I do understand the issues here. Had you considered the Gladstone's LIbrary residencies, where your other half can come and stay with you if you wish?Vanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-60770892509302636632013-01-04T02:57:33.695-08:002013-01-04T02:57:33.695-08:00I've wondered so about this. It sounds great. ...I've wondered so about this. It sounds great. Like Angela, I've thought about applying for ages and I'd love to. the question is, if I go to Cambodia for 6 weeks each year, can I leave poor hubby for yet another month (and still hope to have a viable marriage at the end :-) ). It does sound fantastic, though.Sue Guineyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13556228394020314560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-45526923062894631592013-01-04T02:37:40.397-08:002013-01-04T02:37:40.397-08:00One day! Happy writing for now. One day! Happy writing for now. Vanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-54998636992032092352013-01-04T02:36:59.571-08:002013-01-04T02:36:59.571-08:00HI Sally - I think quite honestly, we were all a b...HI Sally - I think quite honestly, we were all a bit apprehensive, as well as excited. And of course, missed home - but my little room became hone very quickly, and now Im home, I miss it! xxVanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-67006438079987734092013-01-04T02:35:52.432-08:002013-01-04T02:35:52.432-08:00Hello sister mine! You may have a bit of a wait - ...Hello sister mine! You may have a bit of a wait - it's a load of rubbish at the moment! Vanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-79487754378225093742013-01-03T13:22:08.136-08:002013-01-03T13:22:08.136-08:00It sounds amazingly productive. Like Claire I'...It sounds amazingly productive. Like Claire I'm a few years off being able to go away for a whole month but one day...Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05541611893335572586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-3063219007441099052013-01-03T04:31:24.518-08:002013-01-03T04:31:24.518-08:00Wonderful, Vanessa. Sounds like my dream. Nothing ...Wonderful, Vanessa. Sounds like my dream. Nothing to think about but my writing in glorious surroundings and no pointless interruptions - oh and the silence. But, then again, I'm not sure I could cope. I'ma bit of a home body. More an Emily Bronte than a Robert Louis Stevenson.Sally Zigmondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07520579251842006765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-42419580876553435522013-01-02T20:25:04.567-08:002013-01-02T20:25:04.567-08:00So looking forward to the sequel of The Cowards Ta...So looking forward to the sequel of The Cowards Tale - and so very happy to have this insight into your crenellated captivity.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11248522748855868776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-598558136160705007.post-20056822726079209242013-01-02T15:10:09.818-08:002013-01-02T15:10:09.818-08:00Hi T - it will continue to feed us for a long ti...Hi T - it will continue to feed us for a long time! xVanessa Gebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088301040602803489noreply@blogger.com