Well, I’m not sure where or how to begin here, but this past weekend turned into one of the most significant of my little writing career thus far. And I’m being serious when I say “little,” because when you spend two days with Paul Fleischman and Richard Peck, you begin to understand that a couple of books—while a nice start—do not a career make. With 50 or so books (good books, award-winning books) between them, Richard and Paul know what it’s like to be in it for the duration, and not just for today’s Amazon ranking or batch of Google alerts or number of Facebook friends or web site hits or invitations to party with the cool kids.
I’ve been pondering deeply the conversations and observations of the last couple of days at UCTE and the Utah Book Festival, thinking about what I’m doing here and why and how to keep doing it so that thirty years from now I’m not saying to friends, “I was a writer, once. Back at the beginning of the twenty-first century for a few years, there, when YA was really hot.” What does it take to be a writer who, decades after the first publication, is still exploring and experimenting and learning and being energized by the writing life and everything that comes with it—even the stuff that can be difficult? I got a few answers this weekend; whether or not I heed their message is up to me. In any case, I’m feeling extremely grateful, almost as if Paul and Richard were sent to me exactly at a moment when I needed their perspective. (Because the world does revolve around me and my needs, you know.)
The weekend was also special for the fact that these were the first events I’ve done where I’ve felt confident (still nervous, but confident) and like I belonged there. Like I might be starting to get the hang of this stuff! Good turnouts, good energy, good feedback, and me not leaving feeling like I might hurl from the relief of it being over. I actually enjoyed myself – imagine!
If I’m still doing this in thirty years with half the facility of Richard and Paul, I will be very fortunate indeed.
3 comments for this post
They certainly are authors to admire. Treasures, both of them. I was lucky enough to attend a weekend writing workshop with Richard Peck, and I know exactly what you mean. It felt like he was bestowing kindnesses and good wishes upon the attendees at the conference. We were all so lucky and inspired! So glad you had this experience, Sara. I’ve no doubt you will have the same kind of impact on the world.
Yes, kindness oozes forth! One writer I know said that RP was the first author to really treat her like a fellow author. That is so meaningful. And thanks for the kind words…we’ll see!
Exactly. As a budding author myself, I can get frustrated easily, when I see all those wonderful authors who have so many awards that it’s nearly impossible to count them. But I understand that all we need is a good book and an hour or two. Kindness oozes forth from everyone. Especially those two!