Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Writers in Virginia City

I was gone this weekend to Virginia City Nevada. I was lucky enough to attend a writers conference sponsored by the Nevada branch of the SCBWI and it was an amazing group of people gathered there to talk about writing and to mentor and critique. Just some names- Ellen Hopkins ( CRANK,GLASS,BURNED, IDENTICAL,IMPULSE) Suzanne Morgan Williams ( BULLRIDER)
Susan Hart Lindquist ( WANDER,SUMMER SOLDIERS,WALKING THE RIM) Yuyi Morales (JUST A MINUTE, HARVESTING HOPE,LITTLE NIGHT, LOS GATOS BLACK ON HALLOWEEN) and about ten others. My head was just spinning and jammed full of information by the time I left that group on Sunday afternoon. 
Virginia City is a fantastic place to visit no matter what you are doing. You can see ghosts, wild horses, bikers, families, famous people and not so famous people. The Bucket of Blood Saloon has a killer view of the 6 mile canyon, and the Delta Queen is still on the wall -glittering with ancient silver dollars . And as a writer or a photographer or an artist- if you aren't inspired there you never will be! 
I am inspired! I chose the conference instead of a horse show- and though I am sorry to miss the show, I came home with renewed vigor to finish the novel I'm working on and then to sell it! 
So with revision notes in hand, and a strong pot of coffee on the stove- I am going to endeavor to do that. 

7 comments:

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

How fun! I know some of those writers. I used to attend and sometimes mentor at conferences like those. I miss the camaraderie.

Lil Mama said...

You go Mom!

Unknown said...

Sigh...you make me look like such a slacker! LOL

I picked a Horse Show the other weekend over a writing conference! But I told myself there won't be many of the them for this years so I might as well enjoy them while I can and I could go to that one....sigh....there are many "writing" anything in this area so i will have to search around and see if I can go to something else - if there is anything else.

PS - I would be inspired too surrounded by such talent.

I did go listen to Jane Smiley talk the other weekend about her new book (with a grain of salt, knowing she did dump that mare at an auction after reaping the benefits of the book sales) but she was surprisingly so boring! I had a hard time staying awake....

Chelsi said...

Very cool! That is what I need to do! Good luck with writing. I found this video of Elizabeth Gilbert (eat, pray, love) talking about creativity kinda cool... check it out... long but worth is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86x-u-tz0MA

Anonymous said...

Writers workshops are awesome to get the juices flowing, the enthusiasm level up and hopefully give you new insights to help you finish your project.

I wish you well on your novel. Keep writing! If there's anything I can offer in the way of advice or encouragement, let me know!
Heidi
www.heidimthomas.com

Anonymous said...

I love Virginia City! I have done extensive research on Sam Clemens and i always walk down those rickety steps to see his desk - the place where he actually used the pseudonym "Mark Twain" for the first time. How did you learn of this workshop? Is it open to anyone?

The Equus Ink said...

I was just in Virginia City mid-April!! I love it :) I even saw the wild horses up-close and personal, took lots of pics!