Post-Conference Reflections

I have an article due tomorrow, so of course right now I’m doing everything but that. I’m still a little frazzled from our writer’s conference yesterday, but in the best possible way! What a huge success! Everywhere I looked, I heard great comments, saw lots of networking, and had this overall sense of excitement and accomplishment coming from our attendees. And really, isn’t that what it’s all about? I got the feeling that some of the folks were actually quite impressed with the event—perhaps “pleasantly surprised” is a better expression? As I said, we live in a very rural area, and I know there is tons of literary talent lurking out there—we just needed a forum to let it out!

I was just excited by some of the folks I met. Unfortunately, I missed most of the sessions (“president” seems like such a glamorous title, but yesterday it meant “the help”), so I spent most of my day rearranging chairs and tables, tending to the lunch, making sure our moderators had their instructions, and restocking the freebie table. I really wanted to sit in on the afternoon sessions—one led by our keynote speaker—but alas, someone had to play moving (wo)man. Next year. Definitely next year.

The conference capped off a very rewarding week of satisfied clients and editors, all of whom were pleased with the work I turned in to them. Maybe fitting in writing sessions in between running in 10 directions is my most effective way of writing. I’m hoping to wrap up some long, long lingering projects (this is why I need a deadline!) over the next few weeks, but my plan is to give my queries and pitches a rest until the end of the semester so I can focus on teaching for the next few weeks. It’s so hard to juggle it all!

Back to the grind tomorrow. What’s on your agenda for this week?