2010 Pikes Peak Writers Conference

2010 Pikes Peak Writers Conference April 23-26

My Report

Just returned home from a three day convention at the Marriott Hotel in COS. Thirteen workshops, two lunch speakers and two dinner speakers. About 40 hours of education in 2.5 days. Stressful if you’re retired. Feels like grad school did 40 years ago. Too much info, not enough sleep.

Why did I go: I want to be a writer, but don’t know how. Need some rules.

About 300 writers and wanna-be writers attended.  A very enthusiastic and friendly group, for sure. I’ve been to many conventions, training seminars, lectures and continuing education programs in my career, this one was unique: superbly organized AND with a focused group of people there. The presenters – mostly published authors and established agents – were accessible and constructive.

The workshops were all extremely useful ; even the worst (two of thirteen*) had a nugget or two. A very nice thing was you could attend any workshop at a given time, no sign-up required. And you could get up and switch if it wasn’t what you had expected. Freedom to move!

I attended two workshops that required actual writing. Then, each of us reading our words to the group. Well, that was eye-opening. Uncomfortable for me, yes. But the others couldn’t wait for their turn to embarrass themselves! What the heck, I didn’t know them anyway.

I did discover that they all tried (very hard) to be unique and interesting, and my stuff was unmistakably boring. They were experienced at improvisational writing, I figured.

At the final lunch session on Sunday, a ‘renowned’ agent, the keynote speaker spent his 30 minutes explaining my dilemma in clear terms. He asked first for hands raised of people who were enthusiastic after the conference. Most raised their hands and cheered loudly. Then he asked for hands raised of those who were discouraged after spending the weekend learning about how hard it is to become a ‘published’ writer. Not many hands went up. I was among those discouraged, and very.**

I didn’t raise my hand, just hung my head in ignominy.

Turns out, the discouraged among us are the most likely to succeed. We will try harder. The enthusiastics will coast, slide, freewheel and (therefore) forget to work hard. Heard that before? An explicit application of the Tortoise and the Hare fable?

Then, agent Donald Maass explained, there are two kinds of ‘writers’ he meets at these conferences:

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The second kind of writer asks: ‘I have two openings to my book, which would be the best?’ and ‘Do you think my main character should be X or Y?’ and ‘Can you help me with my story line?’

The brilliant conclusion:  the first kind of writer is a status seeking whoredog who just wants to brag that ‘I have been published’. The second kind is a ‘teller of stories’ and will be going to writing heaven. (There is a third and even more despicable author: one who dares to ‘self publish’.***)

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So there it is: I’m an asshole looking for ‘published’ status. I’m glad he explained this. I felt really bad for a few minutes, maybe an hour. Then, the realization came:  I can’t disregard my lifetime precedence for business success and suddenly change into an altruistic teller of stories, just because an agent will think of me as a nicer person with a higher goal.

Now, I have a challenge to become a ‘published’ writer despite the fact that telling stories is not my highest priority.

*85% of the workshops I attended were outstanding, that’s pretty good

** Most of the things I’ve wanted to do have been successes, except for a couple of women I couldn’t get and being a Navy Seal

*** A self-publisher would have a respect level slightly above a sociopath, but below a kleptomaniac

P.S. Would I recommend the PPWC?  For anyone who has any interest in writing or meeting writers, it’s an outstanding investment of time and money ($375±). You will meet people who are excited that they have stories in their heads waiting to get out. And you will learn from some very skilled professionals how to learn to write and how to be better at being a writer. And, you will learn ‘how to get published’.

Plus, you’ll get lots of freebies such as: a nice bag to carry your info, novels on the lunch tables, a quality notebook, schedules, bookmarks and some new friends.

http://www.ppwc.net/

Where I committed to be a writer: http://www.bgerman.com/BG_Newsletter_Spring_2010.pdf