Several times over the course of the San Francisco Writers Conference last month, I was asked what’s in a conference for the writers-panelists. A few of the answers I gave:
- Gets me out of my jammies before noon.
SheWrites Lunch Table at San Francisco Writers Conference - Spending a day with real people instead of imaginary ones.
- Cred with my two sons, who are completely impressed that my photo sits on the conference homepage with R.L. Stine!
They all hint at a part of the truth, which is that writers spend a lot of time by ourselves, and we look forward to interacting with people in publishing–writers, editors, and the like. Even if they aren’t our agents or our editors or publishers, they share a love of books.
I also–and I expect this is true of most writers, or at least those of us who are having these kinds of conversations with participants at writers conferences rather than huddling in the green room–really enjoy chatting with readers and aspiring writers. Maybe they’re my readers, or maybe they will be, or maybe they read, say, horror–which I am never going to write. (I know: Never say never!) Maybe they have just started putting pen to paper, or maybe they are poised to be the next Jane Austen. I don’t suppose I’ll ever be so far away from the long years I spent struggling to be published to not have great empathy for those still finding their way.
Which is to say nothing of the teaching, which is satisfying in itself.
A big thanks to everyone who came to listen and learn, and everyone who said hello, or shook my outstretched hand. The photos in this post and below are from Saturday at the conference. I previously posted the Friday photos along with 10 Tips for Writing Dialogue (aka the Friday panel handout), and the Writing Love Stories: The Missing Handout. – Meg
