word/nerdfest (part 1)

i'm back from the sf writer's conference! and oh, i loved it. it was at times a little overwhelming, but in the very best way possible. it's been a long time since i have learned so much in just two days, and met so many people that were serious word nerds.

the first thing that i learned: poets are totally in the minority at writer's conferences. it's easy to understand why that's the case: not only is it expensive to attend, but the one reason most writers are at the conference -- to meet an agent and get a book deal -- doesn't apply for poets. an agent won't represent a poet unless they're already very well-known. i guess they want to reinforce the "tortured poet" stereotype?

i was one of about 20 poets in attendance, so i considered myself lucky to meet two sf poets who were there to present, albert flynn desilver and joan gelfand. both were generous enough to share their tips and personal experiences, and made me feel like one of the tribe. thanks to them for their warm welcome!

another real highlight of that first day was author dorothy allison's keynote speech. she was purely amazing. i read her first book, bastard out of carolina, way back in college, and her personality is as unforgettable as her prose. 

part of her speech was about the transformation that takes place when we're validated as artists, using american idol (!!!) as her example. evidently, she and her son wolf (by her own admission, "a turkey baster baby") had been watching the show for years, but just the first few weeks of the show, as they weed out contestants during auditions. they loved to watch the worst auditions and made fun of those passionate but talentless singers. 

recently, while on the road, she found herself watching a later episode of idol...after contestants have been groomed, had coaching, and found their stride on stage. she was shocked by the contrast she saw between the audition phase and afterwards. the validation received by their peers, by people in the audience, had made these everyday people into artists. 

i'm paraphrasing here, but her message was to ignore the condemnations one suffers from being an artist, and remember to give yourself and your community the same validation as those folks on american idol.  

it seems like an obvious message, but it was what many folks really needed to hear. she totally disarmed us -- all of us in our nice clothes, making professional and kindly conversation, eating gooped-up chicken and day-old rice off of the hotel's china. it was absolutely silent. i'm happy to report that, for once, i wasn't the only one choking back the tears! (ahh, writers...)

she took our minds off our writerly aspirations, the focus on publishing and success...and put it back onto something bigger. to remember to lift each other up, support and validate ourselves, and the community through our work. 

of course she got a standing ovation. 

b*

[stay tuned for part 2!]