I just returned from a delightful weekend at the Alabama Writers Conclave. My brain still hurts a little bit (from all the mental work involved with the weekend, but also because it was the first time in forever that I'd spent the night in a hotel by myself and it took me a while to get to sleep each night!), but I wanted to get online and post a few pictures before I shut down for the evening.
I was a faculty member at the conference, where I presented three sessions ("Magazine Writing 101"; "From Lead to Conclusion"; and "Getting Creative with Nonfiction"). I am always reminded how much I love to teach workshops, meet other writers, and (most of all!) encourage writers with my own knowledge. It was so rewarding to meet many aspiring and successful writers, and give them a little "push" in the right direction.
I'm very thankful to Irene, who asked me to serve on the faculty for this year's conference, and I'm already looking forward to the next conference I'll be speaking at (the Mississippi Writers Guild in Vicksburg, Mississippi, on August 15-16).
Here are some pictures of a few of the other faculty members leading their workshops . . . R.A. Nelson, a novelist from Madison, Alabama, who served as the weekend's "writer in residence"; Sue Walker, the poet laureate from Alabama, who was just a joy to get to know; and Bonnie Roberts, a delightful poet who inspired me as I sat in on her workshop. (I am a fledgling poet, you know!)
Here are some pictures of some of the sweet participants and organizers that I had the pleasure of meeting during the weekend.
If you are either a published author or an aspiring writer, I would encourage you to attend a writers conference in your area. You can find them all over the country, and they are invaluable in providing you with practical advice and much-needed inspiration!
(As an extra bonus, I got to engage in a couple of other activities over the weekend that made me quite happy. I enjoyed these really big, fluffy, cushy pillows...on the king-sized bed I had all to myself . . .
And then I got to drive around my favorite campus on the planet. I popped by Bryant-Denny Stadium, home of my beloved Crimson Tide; and got out and walked around The Gorgas House, a beautiful antebellum home that just happens to be where Gary and I got married (the photo below is from inside the porch area of the home, which is just a beautifully-designed building)...
There should be some more updates on the AWC's website soon, so be sure and check it out. You might want to consider coming to the conference next year!
And be sure to pop in here every once in awhile. I have always been very diligent with my personal blog (which you can read HERE), but I want to begin posting more on this writing blog.
When I return from my trip to Maryland, I plan on making weekly posts and providing my readers with some writing challenges.
Until then....I'd like to leave you with one of the many encouraging quotes I heard while at the conference. One of the speakers read these words from Goethe, and it really spoke to me:
"Whatever you do, or dream, begin it now. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now. "
