Food writing students working on writing assignments in our beautiful Honolulu teahouse.
I met Hawaiian food blogger Mariko Jackson of The Little Foodie through this blog. A year ago she was a frequent commenter, and told her I wanted to come to Hawaii. I asked if she could help me set up a class. To my surprise, she said yes. Before this point, I had only taught classes for schools, bookstores, or conferences, so I was a newbie at planning my own event.
Our strategy didn’t go smoothly at first. I thought we needed a swanky restaurant lunch to attract food writers, because that strategy had worked well in Seattle. But it cost too much, and not enough people responded. Mariko lowered the price and dumped the restaurant, and to our delight, 20 food writers and bloggers signed up.
Lots of bighearted Hawaiians and mainland Hawaii lovers helped me get the word out. Hawaiians RT’d announcements of the class on Twitter; Amy Sherman of Cooking With Amy suggested some contacts; Catherine Toth, a prominent Honolulu food writer, interviewed me; the Hawaiian president of Les Dames Escoffier told members about the class and invited me to pupus (appetizers) at a trendy
Welcome to my blog. Whether you're an aspiring or accomplished food writer, you'll find posts and comments about blogging, recipe writing, cookbooks, craft, finding agents or publishers, writing trends, and interviews with food writing luminaries. Please join the conversation! For more about me, Dianne Jacob, see 
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I think you also need to come out to Malaysia. The most of the “food bloggers” out here only seem to know how to take pictures and comment briefly about food. Writing is an art and a skill that needs to be developed.
I’d love to, Nate! Maybe now that I’ve explained all that Mariko went through, you’d be hesitant to help me get a class together.
It sounds like tough work, but actually the Sarawak Bloggers group that I’m affiliated with has got a great team. They pulled off a huge tweetup recently at the local mall with under 40 days of preparation from conception to execution. Amazing energy and enthusiasm to put on a highly successful event.
Okay then, let’s get going on it. I’ve never been to Malaysia. And I’d get to meet you after reading your comments for 2.5 years. Sounds like a plan.
This is a fabulous story and amazing turn of events of how it all transpired. I am so happy for you that you had this opportunity AND that the attendees of your class were able to learn from you…a win-win all the way around. How fun!
And I love seeing the pic of you in the red dress. It feels fully like a face with a name situation much more after seeing that pic.
Thanks Averie. Is there a food-writing community in Aruba? Hah.
I don’t typically put photos of me on my blog. I don’t think you do either.
That looks beautiful and what an exciting series of events! I love twitter and social media for the power it gives us to make things like this happen! And Ireland would be fabulous!
I was surprised and delighted by these opportunities. I wouldn’t be very far from you, Jamie, if it works out!
And you know I thought of that, right? I have wanted to visit Ireland for quite some time!
Waiting with baited breath to hear about you coming to Ireland!
It sounds like your expertise will take you to all the very cool islands of the world Dianne.
Thanks for sharing this glimpse into your workshop. Now, I want that nori popcorn.
Móna
Me too! Can you get those Japanese ingredients where you live, Mona? These days it seems like world cuisine is available anywhere.
I am thrilled your workshop turned out to be such a rousing success on so many levels, Dianne. The writing examples your students came up with are utter gems. Wish I knew how to say “You go, girl!” in Hawaiian.
I think they might say something like, “right on, sistah!”
Hah. And you were a big supporter of it too. Thanks for spreading the word in Hawaii, Greg.
It is amazing how it comes together with enthusiastic people.
I am glad you had a blast and I am sure attendees got a lot out of it. Hope I can attend any of your future ones.
It was so much fun! Maybe I’ll see you at a future event.
I’m glad it turned out to be such a success! I had a feeling both Catherine and Holly would come through for you.
Hey Dianne, glad you had such a good experience out in Hawaii. I am certainly willing to help you organise something out this way, whether you come with Denise or on your own… What do you think? Sounds like the gang in Malaysia is game too, perhaps you can combine the 2 as they are so close together?
SO eager to see you in March.
Me too! As you can see, I love doing classes like this.
Aloha Dianne,
Just wanted to thank you and Mariko again for this wonderful workshop. Not only did I get a chance to learn through your clear examples and exercises, but I made new food-loving friends and I have been brainstorming ideas for a new blog. It was inspiring and the book has been invaluable.
Mahalo nui loa and I hope that you’ll join us in Hawaii again sometime soon!
Thank you so much, Malia. Let me know when you start your blog.
I’ll be back! That’s a given.
How fun Dianne! I can tell by that huge smile on your face that it was a very successful trip. Those Hawaiian bloggers were lucky to have you come and teach. Taking a class like that is a good way to either end or start a year, with fresh inspiration for writing and blogging. Like sharpening your knives, but sharpening your mind and skills. Now I am wishing I could take a refresher with you locally. Sounds like you will be doing a lot more traveling and teaching this year!
Thanks Sally. I did a lot of traveling last year and enjoyed it, so I’m game to keep going. Next week I’ll be teaching writing at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. Just drive on over. It will be fun, and the spa is amazing.
I am just bursting with the memory of it right now. I can’t tell you the relief I feel that it went well on the technical side of things, since I always knew you would be great.
Thank you so much, again. Now that I’ve been through it once, I would know better for next time. There will be a next time, right?
Oh yeah, with bells on.
Dianne,
The workshop was amazing, and it was a pleasure to meet you! I learned a lot about food writing, and the do’s and don’ts., and which areas of food writing I’m most inclined to enjoy. I’ll say I have a lot of work to improve, but you were very motivating! And yes, Mariko is amazing!
Many thanks and much Aloha,
Kristen Tu’ifua
Hey Kristen, thanks for snapping that photo of me with the lei. I’m so glad you got something out of our day together.
No way! I’ve been to that tea house before. Wish I could have been there. Totally nodded and laughed when reading about the furikake popcorn and finding out the people at your table went to the same school. It happens all the time in Hawaii!
Mariko certainly sounds like the kind of girl to have on your team if you need to get anything done! Sometimes one person can be the perfect catalyst to bring people together – I think it will be interesting to see where life takes this lady. It certainly sounds like a very productive day.
If you do decide to go to Malaysia, Dianne, then perhaps we could combine that with a trip to Australia? We have a growing blogging scene here now, with lots of bloggers keen to improve their technical skills. Our biggest problem is that we are a relatively small bunch spread over a massive area, but I’m sure that, with enough time, we could try to pull something together.
It was terrific, Amanda. I hope my story conveys how much I enjoyed it.
Whoa, Malaysia and Australia. That would be fun. We will have to discuss this in more depth. Thanks for bringing it up.
Ah, the power of blogging. Who knew? I love imagining all the possibilities that will open up for you and others.
It’s amazing, isn’t it? And the power of social media too, to make things happen. I sometimes feel overwhelmed by this new world we’re in, but overall, it’s fantastic.
Hi Dianne!
It was fun to be at your workshop and even more fun to hang out afterwards and drool in the crack seed store!
That’s funny about you going back to California and eating popcorn and furikake.
Wow, I’m envious that you get to go to Malaysia. It’s a food paradise there, and wonderful people. A horribly underrated country, but maybe it’s better that way; it won’t get overrun with tourists. You must be sure to eat some Roti Canai, and Cendol…and Char Tow Kway and Char Kuey Teow…(something like that)…I get them mixed up, but they are both delicious. (I have some info on my blog, in case you want to start drooling before you leave. haha.)
And no, durian did not make it into any of the recipes in my book, nor will they…I can’t stand durian, nor can I understand why anyone would find rotting onions delicious…but you can have it in any form you want in Malaysia, so get ready for an adventure, la!
Alina Niemi
Author of The New Scoop: Recipes for Dairy-Free, Vegan Ice Cream in Unusual Flavors (Plus Some Old Favorites)
http://www.alinaspencil.com
Hi Alina, nice to hear from you. I’ve already eaten all my crack seed. I found out from one of the Dames that the hair on the olive footballs is licorice root. I couldn’t figure it out. I was asking her: olives don’t have hair, so what is that?
Nothing is set up yet about Malaysia. I have to talk with Nate. You are making me salivate with all those dishes. I better go take a look on your blog.
Aha! Another food mystery solved.
I think I’ll make some Malaysian curry tomorrow, with sticky rice. You got me in a mood! (Now if only I could learn to make the roti canai…sigh…)
Alina Niemi
Author of The New Scoop: Recipes for Dairy-Free, Vegan Ice Cream in Unusual Flavors (Plus Some Old Favorites)
http://www.alinaspencil.com
This is fantastic. I wish I had the opportunity to attend your class of food writing.
Happy New Year and best wishes for 2012
Thanks Anita. Maybe I’ll d a class closer to you in the future.
Diane,
Did you announce this event on your blog? I don’t recall seeing it. Did I miss it? No, I don’t live in Hawaii, however, if you ever are hosting a course here in Phoenix or nearby, I would definitely want to know about it, tweet it out, and attend. No shame in a little self-promotion if it’s of value to your audience.
And a question: at what point in the book writing process can one call themselves an author? Journalists just starting quoting me as an author in their stories. My book comes out in December and I submitted the first half of the manuscript.
Best,
Michelle
Hi Michelle, I don’t think I did. Usually I just say when I’ll be at a conference. I don’t have anything planned in Phoenix, but if you ever want to help me set up a class like Mariko did, let’s discuss. I’m working with someone else who’s having a smaller class in her home.
Re your question, you are definitely an author. Journalists say so! Congrats on your book.
Well, Dianne so generously shared with us a few guidelines when it comes to food writing, and I immediately went out and violated each and every one here: http://www.outrigger.com/explore/hawaiian-islands/view-from-here-blog/2011/December/going-vegan-at-roys-waikiki-beach-restaurant.
So, now, I am reading her book, because I am determined to get this right. Next time!
Mahalo to Mariko for organizing the event and Dianne for spending the day with us. Next time, I say let’s go for the swanky restaurant. Why not!
Hah! You did not violate them, Kim. Thanks for letting people know about your post. Would love to come back and teach another class, whether or not it’s at a restaurant.
Thanks, Diane! I’ll circle around with you about the food writing course in Phoenix. Wonderful.
This sounds great–particularly that it took place in Hawaii
Faik Bouhrik
Honolulu
It was. A great day with the locals! I’d love to come back.
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