Joanne Lozar Glenn is a writer, editor, and educator whose work has been published in Beautiful Things, Peregrine, Hippocampus, Brevity, and other print and online journals. As an experienced leader of writing groups and destination writing retreats, she returns to HippoCamp to lead a session called “Describe, Don’t Prescribe: How to Give and Get Better Writing Feedback.” We asked Joanne some questions about what she is looking forward to at this year’s conference for creative nonfiction writers.

 

HM: Tell us a little about your involvement this year at HippoCamp. If you’re running a break-out session or workshop, what can attendees expect?

JLG: This session is based on a flash presentation delivered at HippoCamp18–so here’s a chance to go into more detail–including a few “practice” rounds–and share more ideas with each other about what helps writing grow, as well as some strategies for approaching a piece that someone’s asked you to critique.

 

HM: Our motto is “memorable creative nonfiction.” Tell us about one of the more recent memoirs, essay collections, or individual essays you’ve read and why it was memorable.

JLG: I’ve read two really memorable pieces of creative nonfiction recently: the memoirs Educated and Maid. They both explore themes of in/out groups and social class…and reading them was like watching/listening to a totally engrossing movie about survival and triumph over huge obstacles. The protagonists were amazing women, and I’m happy that their stories are getting a wide audience.

 

HM: What made you decide to participate in HippoCamp this year as a speaker? If you’re a returning speaker, how did your past experiences encourage you to want to come back?

JLG: I love sharing what I’ve learned and I love learning from others’ experience, too. The opportunity to be part of this writing community that HippoCamp has created (thank you, Donna!) and to reconnect with writers I’ve met in previous years is one of the best things about it. And the support the HippoCamp staff gives speakers is phenomenal.

 

HM: What’s going to keep you busy between now and HippoCamp?

JLG: I just got back from an enriching writing conference in Canada, and I’m using that inspiration to get back to my book-length memoir revision. I’ll also be thinking about upcoming workshops I’m leading: one focused on writing for caregivers and another on experimenting with flash forms.

 

HM: Since you’ll also be attending the conference, when you’re not wearing your “speaker hat,” what are you most looking forward to learning or doing?

JLG: Rebecca Fish Ewan’s pre-conference workshop on drawing for writers–it will be fun to play in another medium. And connecting with new and previous attendees in sessions and receptions.

 

HM: We love introducing Lancaster to attendees. Since you have been here before, what would you recommend to other attendees?

JLG: The Market, the Art Supply store downtown, and the new restaurants.

 

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Thanks, Joanne! It will be great to reconnect with you and everyone at HippoCamp this summer.

Reader, if you’re wondering if you can still register to attend HippoCamp 2019… you can! Click here to register or to learn more about the writing conference.

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