WI1: Kick off to my post writer’s conference experience

I just got back from my first time attending the Writer’s Institute conference in Madison, WI. Let me just tell you how buzzed I am right now. Thinking back on my first impressions:

Did you see this face there?

When I arrive, a grin spreads across my face as I first take in the milling crowd, the clusters of men and women wearing conference badges, the animated way in which they’re chatting with each other. They’re all so excited to be here, to see old friends, to make new ones.

To make me one.

The rich and nutty aroma of my lifeblood wafts sneakily on the air, as does the sugary draw of pastries. But I’ve been low-carb for three months now, and I will not be foiled! I see the beautiful coffee bar, stacks of overturned mugs just waiting to be filled with warming energy. As I walk toward it, I hear the chatter of conversation. More than once I hear the classic ice-breaker:

So, what are you writing?

Nowhere else can you start every conversation with someone new that way. Or find so many people that truly want to know your answer. Electrical currents of creativity and hopefulness sizzle in the air, arcing from one individual to the next. Not one person is out for just themselves. There is no me-against-you. There’s just the shared hunger for words.

Words that shape an arc. Words that bleed therapy for a tortured soul. Words that jump out and pull you into a writer’s mind. Words that entice you to learn more about this obscure place or that person’s incredible life. Words that have chosen to flow through a chosen mind of their own volition.

Gatherings like this are where those with words pouring out of them can learn to hone their craft, to figure out how to share what they’ve created, and to find those that want to know their story. I know the feeling of words pouring out of me, of building prose to which I hadn’t known I knew the rhythm. It’s such comfort to find a group of people that understand me so deeply, that share my dreams and goals, that are willing to encourage me every step of the way. All they hope for is encouragement and support in return.

I need to keep this energy flowing. I was told to keep writing by any means possible, so I’m going to kick off an attempt to start blogging. Regularly. I plan to write a few posts about the amazing people I met, the things I learned, the resources I was given. And I need to be called out on if I don’t deliver. So I challenge you to keep me in check.

What conferences have you attended? Which one are you thinking about attending? What was your take away? I’d love to hear from you through any outlet you prefer. Social media, blog comment, email? Hit me with what you got!

Just hoping I remember what some of my scribbles mean (when did my handwriting get so bad?) when I have time to look at them after a few days of the day job.

Talk to you soon,