I never thought I’d have the chance to attend a
Highlights Foundation Workshop. They are expensive. But after someone told me about
their scholarship program, I decided to apply for one to attend the Writing for
the Educational Market workshop. In January I filled out the necessary forms
and submitted them with two writing samples and a hopeful prayer. In February,
I received a very generous scholarship! Now all I had to do was wait for June.
Finally, the long awaited day arrived. I was 96%
excited about my opportunity... and 4% nervous about making the 5 ½ hour drive on
my own, from my home outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Boyds Mills in the
Poconos. With the GPS programmed, my suitcase and laptop loaded in the trunk,
and the small cooler sitting beside me on the passenger seat of my little van,
I bravely backed out of my driveway. I was on my way!
Once I got on the highway and put my full trust in
the GPS, I enjoyed the ride. The weather was great and the scenery beautiful.
Up and down the mountains I rode. I felt strong and self reliant, and had a lot
of time to think along the way. Then, I saw a sign for DuBois and started to
cry. It made me think of my Dad and all of the driving he did as a traveling
salesman. I felt close to him as I saw the names of the many small towns he
talked about at our dinner table. Now in my 60’s, I understood how hard he
worked to provide the good life for my family.
After leaving the interstate I wove my way through
small towns and followed windy roads that cut through lush green fields. I passed lots of cows watching me and laconically
chewing…always chewing. Soon I heard the words “you have arrived at your
destination” from the GPS. I did it, I thought to myself proudly as
I looked up the long driveway and saw The Barn at Boyds Mills standing in the
sun. I breathed a great sigh of relief.
I slowly pulled up the long driveway and took it all
in. I saw the small individual cabins waiting for our arrival. I couldn’t wait
to find mine and see the sign with my name on it hanging in the window. I
followed the winding gravel path to the cabins. Mine was at the end of a long
circle of cabins. It sat on the edge of the woods. This city girl was staying
in the country. I looked for my name. There is was!
I walked onto the screened porch and saw the key
waiting in the doorknob. I opened the door and took it all in. It was
charming…it was roomy…it had shelves of books and a comfortable chair to read
them in…it had a kitchenette …and it was all mine for the next four days! I
settled in immediately, hanging up my clothes, putting my toiletries in the
bathroom, and setting up my computer.
At 5:30 sixteen women of all ages, backgrounds and
professions gathered to meet each other and share appetizers and wine on the
Barn’s beautiful stone patio. Wearing our nametags, we were able to put names
and faces together immediately. The one thing we had in common was our love of
writing. We ate the first of many delicious meals together around round tables.
We ate and talked and laughed. After dinner,
we moved to long tables in a part of the barn that was flanked by large windows
overlooking a beautiful wooded area.
After playing an icebreaker, we got down to
business. The presenters, Jan Fields and Paula Morrow, dove right into the
subject of writing for the educational market. This workshop was crammed with
valuable information and interesting discussions. For the next three days, we
only came up for air to share meals, sleep, read, research and write. The
workshop sessions sped by too quickly. Pencils flew and fingers danced across
keyboards while we took notes, trying to remember all of the valuable information.
The presenters gave us handouts and emailed us links to all of the sites we
would want to explore for more information. We asked question after question,
and they patiently gave us answer after answer. By the third day, my brain was
like an already soaked sponge trying to absorb more water. So, I used my break
before dinner to read a middle grade novel in the solitude of my room. It was
just what I needed. With my brain rested, I was ready for our evening session.
On the last morning we met for our final session.
When it was finished, many of us were torn. On one hand, we were ready to
return home to our families, homes, and lives. On the other hand, even though
our brains were “stuffed”, we still wanted more. But there was no choice to
make, because this amazing workshop was over.
My time in writer’s heaven had come to an end. I
packed my belongings, took my name out of my cabin window, wrote a message in
the guest book for the next lucky person in cabin #20, and went to the barn to
share one last delicious meal. I chewed slowly, but at the same time jiggled my
knee impatiently. Though one foot was planted here in Boyds Mills, the other
was moving towards home and my wonderfully ordinary life waiting there for me.
With the GPS programmed, my suitcase and laptop loaded in the trunk, and the
small cooler sitting beside me on the passenger seat of my little van, I pulled
down the long driveway. With a new found excitement about my writing, I was on
my way home!
by Audrey Smith McLaughlin
Audrey McLaughlin
lives outside of Pittsburgh, PA with her husband Tom. She retired after working
27 years in Early Childhood Education. She enjoys writing and sharing what she
has learned from working with young children, their families, and her personal life
experiences. You can contact her at audreylengyel@comcast.net .
