Truly one of the most rewarding, empowering, and life-changing weeks of my life. Thanks to Beth's extraordinary generosity and gentle yet brilliant guidance, I left on cloud nine, believing, once again, in myself as a writer. It is apparent from the minute one begins this journey with Beth that she cares passionately about her students in a way I have never experienced before.... She listens so carefully and responds so thoughtfully. She is a gifted and beautiful teacher and mentor. Her words of wisdom and encouragement stay with you long after the time together ends.
I'm changed. And not just my writing. Me. Inside. Plus, I've added a few lifelong friends who understand me in ways my non-writer friends don't. This unique group of 11 felt the gravitational pull to come to McClure and to Beth whose arms were long enough to reach around us all. I can't wait to read each of your memoirs.
I've had valuable teaching along the way, but no one has touched my heart and inspired me to persevere like you have, Beth. You are one special lady and everyone who receives the benefits of learning from you is pretty damn lucky, too.
I’m still amazed that a mere five days of calendar time became such an intense laboratory in how I think about my writing and myself. These months later, I can hear your word “elevation” in my ear and then it happens on the page: a formerly clunky bit of text becomes a potent image, a lumbering paragraph becomes a short scene. Your ability to focus on each one of us in such a short time and really see us as writers—where we were and what we needed—seems miraculous in retrospect... Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I have tears while I write this because I have learned so much from your beautiful words and I am so grateful to have discovered you on my journey. I look forward to the day our paths cross again.
Thank you for an extraordinary experience. Choosing the landscape and rhythms of Sally’s farm was perfect, in my opinion. The earth is quiet there, and yet loud too. It is ancient and new. It is desperate and all okay. All at once. The lessons were thick and resonant. The readings were inspiring. Both of your energies were powerful, but gentle too.
And your powerful teaching is because you care so passionately about US, about your students, genuinely—you yearn for a connection with each of us, and you work and work to make that happen, and you create an atmosphere in which we can connect with you and with each other. And, perhaps most important, with ourselves.
I'm so touched by your kindness and generosity. There's a quality to it, to you, that is so rare. Maybe it's that you give your full attention—which seems to come with your full brain and heart, and to truly receive another person's full attention is a gift.
Thank you to all of you who made my first writing workshop an experience that is likely to make every one to follow pale in comparison. The care with which we all held each other's minds and hearts is just such a beautiful expression of what this world can be.
Wow, Beth. I can't say thank you enough, for your time, your generosity, your talent, knowledge and willingness to share, your friendship, and for allowing me to be one of your students. How lucky I am!
This has been a humbling experience but also inspirational. It seems to me miraculous, almost unbelievable, that in less than a week Beth took each of us to the next level and then the next. But it's undeniable; I heard everyone's voice getting more distinctive, everyone's writing getting more masterful, day by day. I miss all of your voices and your stories... I am hooked on every one of your memoir pieces and for the past two days have been wishing to hear them all again.
How precious to wake this morning with not just memories, but inspiration. And a sense of an identity as a writer. Thank you both so very much.
I didn't learn how important and helpful support is until I experienced it, and sometimes, I think we need to ask for it. I miss our energy. It was so motivational and inspiring to be around you ladies! Thank you for everything.
I'm altered in a really great way. The world looks and feels different. Like I got new eyeballs, which I guess I did. Thank you for being there, Beth. The way that you care and the thoughtfulness that you bring to everything touches my heart. Thank you for caring about me and my writing.
I cannot thank you enough for the thought provoking lessons, the insightful and on target critiques, and the kindness shown in delivering those critiques. You are a master.
You make everything better, Beth. :–)