It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? For the moment passes, it is forgotten; the mood is gone; life itself is gone. That is where the writer scores over his fellows: he catches the changes of his mind on the hop. ~Vita Sackville-West
Among My Writing Soul Mates
So many things I want to tell my writer friends out there about the tremendous amount of energy and good advice going on at the Story Circle Network’s Stories from the Heart Conference being held in Austin this weekend.
Much of what I’ve learned, however, still needs to be digested, and practiced, before I feel I can write about it.
But Gail Straub’s keynote Friday night presentation “My Mythic Memoir Journey,” had a secondary significance for me. She spoke about her memoir, “Returning to My Mother’s House,” which is about her relationship with her mother.
Sitting next to me was my own daughter, Deborah. Gail hit a few familiar notes with her talk and it seemed as if I weren’t nudging my daughter, she was nudging me.
Gail’s talk was full of interesting insights, and came at a time when my daughter and I could both recognize them — and most importantly laugh about them.
The best thing about the conference for me is being in the midst of a circle of supportive female writers. It’s not that any of us, well among the many circle members I know, have anything against men. It’s just that our voices are different and it’s nice to be among people who understand female quirks, and the difficulty women often have in finding their voices.
I can say with 100 percent accuracy that this writing circle is the most supportive group I’ve ever encountered in my years on this planet. I can’t think of any place I would rather be this weekend than right where I am — deep in the heart of Texas with writing soul mates.
Bean’s Pat: Darla Writes http://tomurl.com/77xu6pf 13 Tips From Writers. It seems only fair that today I should give a thumbs up to a blogger who writes about writing,
Thanks for the pat! I’m going to use your inspiring blog to see this beautiful country of ours.
Ditto for me.
Austin is a wonderful place to get back in touch with the inner U. There is no other place where it is quite so ok to be U – no matter what U is. So glad you are getting to share the Story Circle Network with Deborah. I can already feel your enthusiasm returning….and can’t wait to read your next blog!
Thanks Babs. I am coming back to life after losing Maggie, to the point that I’m ready to find another dog before I get on the road. Going to be in Dallas on the 19th at Deborah and will be looking next weekend.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
it’s a wonderful thing to be with people and just be. Happy to hear that you’re there right now.
Thanks EllaDee. The conference was many things to me, enlightening, warming and energizing at the top of the list.
[…] Bean at Pat Bean’s Blog. A retired journalist, Pat spends several months out of the year on the road in her RV, blogging as […]
Pat, so good to share a hug and a few (not enough!) words. Loved seeing you and hearing your voice, after reading so many of your words in print/online. You’re a blessing!
[…] In her comment below, Pat referred to her follow-up post, also titled Deep in the Heart of Texas, in which she summarizes Straub’s talk, “My Mythic Memoir Journey,” in a deeply […]