Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Taos Bound

I wrote this on Sunday after arriving in Taos for the writing workshop that will takeover the next two weeks of my life.


To say I’m anxious would be an understatement. I’m not quite shaking in my boots though because as intense as the workshop will be, I know it’s also the next logical step for a writer in my position. I’m no longer a newbie, but far far far from being an expert, and that’s exactly who this workshop is tailored for.

And you’d be surprised at just how much the knowledge that this is the right time for such a step settles the nerves.

After spending the last week and a half reading other participants’ work, I know that they are all in that in-between place I’m in—with different strengths and weaknesses—and most importantly, with things they can teach me. This is a self-selected bunch of serious writers, and I’m proud to count myself among them.

Add on top of that, two SF legends as our teachers, and there’s no excuse for me not to learn something. A lot of somethings…

I know all this. But still…scary.

As I mentioned in Know Your Genre, I fear I’m not as well read as I should be. Then when Week 1 submissions were expected sooner than I anticipated, I sent out a panicked SOS to my CPs and local group. Of course, everyone was very helpful, and I managed to apply their feedback and suggestions in time to send my work off to the workshop participants. But instead of feeling relieved, it just made everything seem more fraught.

Then there’s the fact that I know no matter how positive a workshop experience could or should be, there’s going to be some hard parts too. People will point out things about me and my writing that’s going to be hard to hear, and sometimes, even worse, harder to fix.

But I guess the whole point of something like this is leaving yourself open to new experiences. Giving yourself every opportunity to learn, and when it’s all over, find ways to adapt and change and better yourself and your craft.

So that’s me for the next two weeks. I look forward to catching up with you when I get back.

Happy writing!

6 comments:

Laura S. said...

Have an awesome time! Remember to enjoy it and not take yourself TOO seriously all the time. Writing is work, and workshops can be nerve-wracking, but it all has elements of fun, too! I'm looking forward to hearing about it when you get back!

Laura Lee Nutt said...

Best of luck! You'll do wonderfully because you are ready to take this chance and improve. Have fun and let us know how it goes!

Deborah Walker said...

I am soooo jealous. Oh, how I wish I could go.

Lori M. Lee said...

You are going to be awesome and learn so much and yaay! :D

blankenship.louise said...

I know you'll have an awesome time. Don't hide in your room and be shy! Get out there and enjoy how awesome it is to talk about writing and have everyone know EXACTLY what you're talking about.

Elizabeth Twist said...

You've got a lot of jealous writers here, me included! It sounds amazing. I hope you have a great time.

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