A short piece this week, because I’m at Sewanee Writers’ Conference in Sewanee, Tennessee. I’m lucky to be back here for a second time. It’s wonderful to be in this community of writers, spending concentrated time listening, thinking, and talking about writing and books.
The days are often full, between workshop and craft classes and readings. Sometimes it’s hard to take a break, to take the time to reflect on what I’ve heard, to consider how to incorporate it into my own work. The tendency is to try to do everything and right now, early in the day on Day 4, I’m feeling more tired than anything. But that will change, as soon as I run into another writer and start up a new conversation. And find another cup of coffee.
One of the joys here is to meet and talk to writers outside of fiction and to learn about their work. There are also poets, non-fiction writers, and playwrights. There are actors, too, who perform works on stage. Last night, Tarfia Faizullah presented a number of her amazing pieces from her book Seam, performed by herself and four actors. It was beautiful and harrowing and stunning.
What I loved when I was here before, and what I love this time around, too, is the opportunity to meet so many people. Writers I have followed on social media but get to meet in person for the first time. Writers whose work I have read and loved. And new writers, too, writers I haven’t yet had the opportunity to read. Fascinating people with fascinating histories. Yesterday, one of the playwrights had actors perform a short excerpt from one of her plays. To my surprise, one of my workshop mates performed one of the roles. Googling later, I learned that not only is she a lawyer and a writer, but she is also an actress, having been on Broadway and Off-Broadway before attending law school. Amazing and so very inspiring. What a full life.
Of course, the highlight of any summer conference is the workshop, and I’m so very lucky to be in a workshop led by Kirstin Valdez Quade and Leigh Newman. If you haven’t read their books, I highly recommend them all.
The Five Wounds, Kirstin Valdez Quade
Night at the Fiestas, Kirstin Valdez Quade
Nobody Gets Out Alive, Leigh Newman
Still Points North, Leigh Newman
See you in two weeks!