Postcard from The Writers' Conference

Just starting the second full day of the Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference. I'm so excited! It has been just awesome so far. The panel discussions have been inspiring and representative of diversely valid perspectives, something for everyone. I've been going to all the poetry workshops, and it feels exhilarating to be in a room with several others who regularly write poetry. They're all so good too, so inspiring. And there are some who live right here in town, so I'm already seeing that we will stay in touch after the conference.

I ended up being the first reader at the open mike. Four minutes each: that is not very long! Having originally planned to read five poems, their juxtaposition forming a structure of its own, I ended up reading just two. It's been a long time since I've been up on stage and I was quite nervous indeed. But just like it always used to be when I did a lot of performing, as soon as I was onstage, I was just fine, happy to be there. And I'm glad to have done it, because I feel like it 'broke the ice' and made me approachable.

Michael Cunningham did an extensive reading from his new novel that's coming out in a few months. I was riveted and didn't want him to stop. Cunningham's writing is always so riveting to me, and it's sometimes surprising to me because all his novels have so very much in common in terms of their trajectories, and yet the characters are so lovingly developed and the prose is so beautiful that I'm always entranced (and don't wish to exit. Sorry, bad pun).

My energy has held out really well so far, although I'm noticing that I'm having more chronic fatigue/adrenal 'symptoms' today, so need to watch out. I've definitely had to pack all my own food and, since I'm trying to get more protein in and since I really need to feel better for this, it's a challenge with these packed days. I'm just so grateful that this is in our home town and that I can fix stuff at home for myself, and I am trying! More on that in another post maybe but I should get back to the writing group that I'm in right now!

But oh my, this really point some directions for life. Lots to think about.