Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Staying on the Writing Wagon

I'm not sure why it takes the bright red panic of a deadline to get me writing, but I have learned that when it comes to long-term projects that have no deadlines, there's nothing better than a conference or workshop to fuel motivation. Sometimes, just talking with another writer is enough to keep me going.

It's amazing what local libraries or bookstores offer. After looking online for awhile, I found out the local Borders is having a new author roundtable tomorrow night, and that there are several groups of local writers out there, along with (Connecticut) writer's events and groups:

http://westportwritersworkshop.com/
http://lowerfairfieldwriters.blogspot.com/
http://www.pencilswritingworkshop.com/
http://www.creativewritingcenter.com/schedule.html
http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_419?schid=GLBC%7CFairfield+CT%7C419

It sounds like a simple thing-and seems almost too silly to bother with sometimes-but it's amazing what a big difference a trip to Borders or a book signing can make.

2 comments:

ACW said...

It is often recommended that in order to achieve a dream one must live their lives as if the dream is happening. So if you want to become a published writer, you don't just say it but do the things published writers do. Of course, can't ignore the writing part. But immersing yourself among others who write is an important part of moving forward. Writing is such a lonely endeavor at times.
Anne

Colleen said...

Wow, I've never heard it put that way before. It's such a meaningful bit of advice.

I've been going back & forth on this May agent reading, because my book is nowhere near finished. But I may never finish it if I don't take it seriously enough to go to these types of conferences. It's one of those wonderful circular things!