The Writing Life Too

Clouds looming over the skies this afternoon and it’s starting to rain and the wet ground smell is glorious and should be made into a perfume. Well, I think I’m finally rested from the 40th annual Willamette Writers Conference. If you’ve never attended a writer’s conference, you should. But expect lots of buzz, energy, ideas, and information being slammed at you. In fact, expect the place to be crackling with energy. Expect to be inspired, amazed, and possibly exhausted. So pace yourself, have a plan, create the perfect pitch, be friendly and sincere, and dazzling if you’re that sort.

I chatted with people this year that I think you should know about and wanted to send a thanks to: Charlotte Cook, publisher of Komenar Publishing of Walnut Creek, California. Charlotte’s funny, real, and knowledgeable. If you ever have an opportunity to attend one of her workshops, do so. Then there was Deb Werksman the editorial manager of Sourcebooks, Inc. They publish a variety of titles and are based in Conneticut. We chatted at my book signing and she bought my The Writer’s I Ching book and she’s kind and smart and accessible. Then there were Jeff and the oh-so friendly Deborah Herman. They sell nonfiction, particularly inspirational titles. I caught up with the irrepressible and always-looking forward Julie Fast. We talked about her latest ventures, the current reality of publishing and e-books, and her new interns. As always, she gave me ideas on how to manage my career and to bite off life in large gulps. On Saturday I met Melissa Hart who besides being bubbly (but in a good way), adorable, and stylish is also whip smart. That day I also chatted for awhile with agent Angela Rinaldi about the nonfiction market. She called many of the book pitches and proposals she hears these days “google ideas” meaning a reader can simply google the information on-line and doesn’t need to buy a book for answers. More to think about.

And thanks too to Katherine Wagner who came down to attend the conference from Vancouver B.C. and brought her sister from Ottawa. We met at a workshop I taught in Vancouver B.C. a few years ago. I so enjoyed talking with you and hearing about your life and passions. And do expect some emails from me nagging you to get on with your writing. Thanks and good wishes to the many students I ran into, the kind members of Willamette Writers who asked how I was doing since my accident. And Chelsea Cain’s keynote address at the Saturday night banquet was witty, captivating, and made everyone in the room imagine that they too could land a multi-million dollar deal if they stick to their writing practice, no matter what, and write the book they want to read.

You know the drill: keep writing and keep dreaming.