Well, I've let the experience of attending the Writer's Conference sink in. There was a lot to take in...a new "group" to belong to (now that I'm a writer! yeah!), my thoughts, opinions and observations. Surprisingly, I noticed that I had many preconceptions that were for the most part, negative about writers!
I apologize to anyone I may have already offended with my remarks, however I would like to defend myself and also explain how my thoughts have changed and what I think Now! ;-)
I used to think that writers were nerds!(just being honest) I thought whence walking into the Conference, I would see many excentric, nerdy, weird and/or socially challenged people! Why would I think that?
Two examples jump into my mind....the first example is..."As Good as It Gets' with Jack Nicholson. He is very fearful of going outside, is very rigid and avoids change at all costs. He has about 15 locks on his door which he is OCD about locking, and has difficulty socializing with a waitress he falls in love with in the movie. But, alas, LOVE does conquer all, and he falls in love, forgets to lock his doors and is able to walk on street instead of the sidewalk which he is obsessive about avoiding the cracks.
The second example is "Nim's Island" where Jody Foster is a novelist who has written many stories about "Alex Rover" who is likened to our "Indiana Jones". He can get out of any bind, always saves the girl and has a handsome hat that is tilted right above his left eye to add some intrigue. Jody Foster's name in the movie is Alex(andria) Rover and she has written many adventure books, but like Jack's character, she is extremely fearful and has NEVER left her home but researches all the exotic locations she writes about via the internet . She walks on a treadmill for exercise, has Chinese food delivered to her every night and has her mail brought to her by her assistant.
A little girl is stranded alone on an island after her father goes off to capture some special plankton and is stuck with a sinking ship while the little girl is trying to survive on this island and contacts Alexandri Rover for help.
Also, most librarians and book worms were in my head classified as a bit nerdy.
Sorry! :-/ But, I have seen "
the light" and have changed my mind! I have a new pair of writing glasses
-0-0 and can now
REALLY appreciate writers.
First of all, I believe that writers are
highly intelligent and gifted.... There is a special line of communication from the inside of their hearts to paper.......speakers are like this too, but it goes from heart, to paper, and verbalized to an audience.
I also NEVER realized the TIME, VULNERABILITY, EFFORT and WORK that goes into writing. It is an "activity" like exercise! Even though I sit in my chair in front of this screen, I am actively thinking, writing, searching and pulling thoughts from deep within my mind and my soul!!!!
Secondly, is that writers have to be
VERY BRAVE! You are putting down your thoughts on paper and sharing them....yes, you can take back words, but the written word is very powerful, as powerful as a sword, right? (I know, it's the pen, but the pen writes the word, so gimme a break!) It's more permanent and more visible, and more concrete than something that was simply said.
Thirdly, it is highly
Creative! I can compare myself to Mozart or Bach! Well, not really.....yet. I haven't quite created my masterpiece, but anyone who has authored a book can! A concerto is the brother to a book. A minuet is a sister to a short story, a sonnet to a poem.....that came from my background in music, playing the violin. My new instrument is my Apple! ;-) (thank you, honey!)
I have totally new found respect and reverence for ANYONE who writes
ANYTHING and must say that I what I THOUGHT is different than what I now THINK!
