RECHARGING
YOUR WRITER’S BATTERIES
By
Jackie King
There’s
a certain creative energy that fills the air and even permeates the cracks and
crevices at OWFI Conferences. Speakers change, technical techniques evolve,
markets wax and wane; but the atmosphere is always the same. Pure electricity.
I’ve been attending for a good many years and I always come home physically
exhausted (who wants to miss anything?) and mentally refreshed. New ideas seem
to spring alive and old ones freshen. Or in plain Okie-speak: I’m ready to hit
that keyboard for another year!
Our
Speakers this year were excellent. Steven James, award-winning author of The
Patrick Bowers Files gave the keynote address and held an audience of about 400
writers (and their spouses and significant others) spellbound. I swear, the man
could have been an actor. His talk was not only inspiring it was rib-splitting
funny. He spoke of his own struggle to become a published writer and confirmed
my conviction that getting to the top in this field is never easy and seldom
quick. Most everyone has to pay their dues. Learning to write well is a skill
usually learned from hours at the keyboard or with a pen and paper in hand. But
the rewards are huge.
 |
| Steven James author of The Patrick Bowers Files THE PAWN |
If
you’re one of those whose heart cries out to put words on paper, accept that
you’re one of God’s scribes. I’m not talking about religious writing; I’m
talking about telling stories about the world you live in. Honesty is what
readers want; but we must both remember that my truth may be quite different
from your truth; there is a wide variety of readers in the world. Our work will
not be everyone’s cup of tea. But we will each find our audience.
The
writers at this particular conference are always unbelievably generous-hearted.
Authors with over 50 published books to their credit will listen to a beginning
writer and make helpful suggestions. Publishers and agents are available for
appointments, or if you missed that opportunity, you can catch them in the
hallways. “Anywhere but the bathroom,” one quipped.
If
you write or if you want to write, don’t hesitate to sign up for such an event;
you’ll come home just like me…tired, happy and ready to write.
Excellent, Jackie! I so wanted to go to OWFI this year, but had a celebration with my dad (He was Parade Marshal for Pioneer Days in Guymon). I'll be there next year, Lord willing! Glad you're ready to hit the keyboard and come up with more stunning prose!
ReplyDeleteJackie, sorry I didn't take advantage of us both being there to get better acquainted! This was my first year there, and wow, it surely won't be my last. Next time, for sure, let's do lunch!
ReplyDeleteGood article, Jackie. You summed it up well. Also, there are those wonderful 10-minute appointments with agents & editors & the amazing results!
ReplyDeleteI always came home recharged after attending a writer's conference. So informative and fun. It was the only way to connect with fellow writers before forums, etc. on the Internet.
ReplyDeleteWhat goes around comes around Jackie! That's why everyone loves you is because you give out the love and appreciation. It is always good to see you, and we are thankful you give so much time and energy to bringing our Maven Peggy to OWFI so we can enjoy her. She has been the inspiration to so many -- and she is always so full of orneriness. Love you Jackie!
ReplyDeleteI love writers' conferences. I'd go to one every month--or at least every other month--if I could. This one sounds great.
ReplyDelete