Why Writers Need Conference Time
I’ve just returned from Love Is Murder, the Chicago conference that is more fun than the law allows. The driving force behind the conference is Hanley Kanar, Mary Welk, and Luisa Bueler–three ladies with a lot of spirit. There’s just something about the “can do” attitude of the Chicago delegation (and there are lots of volunteers who put this conference on) that makes it a success. While the serious business of writing and the publishing industry are given their due, there is also some foolishness and a bit of irreverence, and that makes the conference unique.
This was my second go round at Love is Murder. I think I am their token Southerner. Fine by me. I know I am the only attendee who begs for a snowball fight—and gets one. If you are on facebook, check out the impressive snow photos that we took this year. Ben LeRoy, the publisher of Tyrus Books, actually climbed up the snow bank and pelted us with snowballs. Ah, youth!
I thought the “worst blizzard since 1967” would cancel the conference, but the sun came out and the conference was on. With hot coffee and libations to warm the cockles of my black little heart, I was snug and content.
While I spent most of my time on panels and giving a master class, I found time to socialize with other writers, agents, publishers, publicity gals, and readers. I’d forgotten how refreshing it is to reconnect with those afflicted by the same illness—the love of writing and reading.
Although I’d interviewed Jon Land for the Thrillerfest website, I’d never met him. What a charming, generous man! And I’d served as a judge on a panel for best thriller with Joseph Finder, but I’d never met him either. It was fun to listen to him talk about writing. And both Jon and Joe had great stories about Hollywood. They knew how to spin a funny story.
Rhys Bowen was as elegant as I’d been told, and Joan Johnston was quick with a comeback when Joe Konrath teased us all at the Saturday night finale of “Stump the Stars.” Joe read passages from novels and we had to guess if we’d written them or not. Needless to say, it was pretty funny.
One of the best things about the conference was sharing my love of writing with others. When working, which must be done alone, there is often a sense of isolation. It is at writers’ gatherings that the passion for writing and reading is shared, found, and rediscovered in others. I’m sure it’s similar to any gathering of people interested in the same topic, but it is heady stuff.
There is also a chance for some good old-fashioned fun. Stories were told, anecdotes shared, old jokes revived, dreams ignited, and new conclusions drawn. And then there was the snowball fight. These Chicagoans, sick of snow, went back outside and got pelted and plastered because this Mississippi/Alabama gal never gets to play in the snow.
That’s one of the things I’ll never forget.
The need to create fun is one of the reasons I want to do the Daddy’s Girl Weekend. Think about it–a night of campaigning for Big Daddy and a dress code of peignoirs and smoking jackets—it’s silly fun. Yes, there will be writing business and readers’ panels, but also shopping and just craziness. There is too little fun in our lives. We’ve forgotten how to connect with that part of ourselves that can’t resist a snowball fight or a chance to wear something outrageous—just for the fun of it.
Shake off the shackles of being an adult and simply misbehave, because it’s the right thing to do.
This is what the best writers’ conferences achieve: a level of education and focus on matters of writing and publishing, but also fun. I salute the hard work that went into Love Is Murder, and I applaud the spirit of fun that turned out a few brave souls for a snowball fight in a 20-foot drift.
We need more fun in our lives—and I think it’s high time we demand it.
You gotta find some fun in each and every day you are given, because tomorrow might be too late !
Carolyn, I sure want to try to make DG weekend, but the only thing I own that even comes close to a peignoir is a pink chenille robe, and yes, if the term “pink elephant” comes to mind…you are RIGHT !
YAY! for fun! I’m glad you got your snowball fight and that the conference is such a great event.
Thanks, Sarah. I always thought that life would get slower as I got older. Misconception! And now you’re on your way to LA soon to see your play staged! That’s very exciting.
Social workers have been trying to tell the world for years that “it’s never too late to have a happy childhood” and even for people who had a beautiful childhood, to “never lose your sense of wonder.” So many, especially as we age, would gripe and complain about the terrible cold and inconvenient weather, but the happy spirit finds a way to rejoice in it. This is one reason we love you, Carolyn, you represent how we can all be our best selves. Plus, we have fun playing make-believe with you and Coleman.
Rose Marie, you are just a fan of Coleman! I don’t always have such great attitude. I have a wonderful friend, Diana Knight, who has the kindest spirit of anyone I know. I told her one day that I envied her kindness and compassion, and she looked at me and said, “It’s a choice I make each day.” My friend Larry Martin told me, “Happiness is a choice.” So I am trying to learn to make the best choice, as Sandy points out above. If I can just apply that to food!