Category: The Wandering Writer

Conch Republic Here I Come!

Former home of Shel Silverstein
Former home of Shel Silverstein

I’m posting early this week because, after 9:00 am tomorrow morning, I’ll be mostly off the internet lifeline for eight days.  I’m headed to the Key West Literary Seminar, and can’t wait.  Not only is Key West one of my favorite places, but the conference promises to be amazing, with gifted writers like Margaret Atwood, Billy Collins, Jennifer Egan, Michael Cunningham, Colson Whitehead, Joyce Carol Oates, and so many more.

The first four days are filled with panels on all things to do with the 2012 theme, “Yet Another World.”  Then the next four days I’ll be in an advanced fiction workshop with Robert Stone.  There’ll be 11 other participants in my particular workshop, and I’m so looking forward to getting their opinions and suggestions on a story I’ve struggled with for about two years.  (yep, for those of you who don’t know, it can take years to perfect 15 – 20 pages of prose.)

I’m also looking forward to catching up with some of the great people I met when I was down there in May for my residency with The Studios of Key West.  By the way, they’re taking applications now for 2012 – 2013 residencies.  If you’re a writer or a visual artist, check it out.  It’s really magical.

I’m honored to have been chosen by KWLS as the Marianne Russo Award winner for emerging writers for 2012, and will read part of the story that won me the award at the open session on Sunday.  Not sure if the dog’s howling when I practice out loud means the story is really good or really bad. (Thank God he won’t be in the audience – I’m hoping most of the folks who are there will refrain from howling.)  I always get nervous when I read in front of a group (there’s something so naked about reading my own work) and this is a big group, so I’m thinking cocktails and xanax beforehand.

A conference is a great way to kick off the year in writing, and where better to be than in sunny Key West with so many fabulous writers?  When I post next I’ll tell you all about it.  Gotta go pack now for my trip to the Conch Republic.

That time of year again

I’m a list maker. I love writing down tasks just for the pleasure of marking them off when they’re done. I love my google calendar for the same reason – it’s so much fun to check off a task and move it to the completed items. I obsessively make lists for everything. What I’m packing for a trip, books I’ve read, what my characters like to eat and drink, and where I should submit each one of my stories.

I also love spreadsheets. I track my short story submissions on a color coded excel spreadsheet that would require a manual for someone else to understand. I think maybe I’m good about submitting my work just because I love tracking it on that spreadsheet.

Goal setting is just another form of list making for me. I know people who would rather eat dirty diapers than set goals, but it’s one of my favorite things about the end of the year. I take a final look at my goals for the past year, reevaluate my priorities, and create long and short term goals for the upcoming year. Some years I do better than others, but I never feel bad about what I haven’t accomplished (well, almost never) – I just try to figure out why there are things left on that list.

I’m not gonna preach goals here- my writing group is already avoiding me to keep from hearing the lecture.  I’ll just say one thing. Whether you want to finish a novel or lose 15 pounds or learn to speak Spanish or read 50 books in a year, to succeed, you have to plan to succeed.  (OK, so maybe that was a little preachy.  But I’m usually way worse.)

So, how’d I do in 2011? Not bad. There are a few things I’ll be moving over to 2012, but I got to cross a lot of stuff off that list. That alone is worth doing the work.

My Holiday Wishes for You All

May you always find the beauty in even the most absurd.

May you never doubt that you are blessed in some way.

May you always be able to laugh through your tears.

May you never forget about those less fortunate.

May you use your power for good, not evil.

May you never be afraid to shake things up, to take chances, to shock.

May you always have books.

Happy holidays.  Hope Santa fills your bookshelves.