Whidbey Island


Talking about the Whidbey Island Writer's Conference

So, here I am, lounging in a king-sized bed in a Fairfield Inn on the outskirts of the SeaTac International Airport south of Seattle, watching the film "Phone Booth" on HBO Plus. Not so much interesting about that, but it's the reason I'm just south of Seattle that I'm having a good time with.

I just finished up the 2004 Whidbey Island Writer's Conference on, of course, Whidbey Island. The island is north and west of Seattle in Elliott Bay, part of Peuget Sound. Whidbey Island is about 45 miles long, north to south, and approximately 5 miles wide. It's filled with pine forests, rolling hills and -- very -- small towns. It's absolutely beautiful and filled with very nice people.

The conference was fantastic, full of exciting and informative skill-building sessions hosted by published authors, such as Nancy Kress and Sara Paretsky. Kress is an award-winning SF/F author, while Paretsky is the author of the V.I. Warchawski (sp? definitely) mysteries. Great things were learned by all.

In addition, the attendees had the chance to chat with agents and editors of all stripes. I sat down with Donald Maass, an agent who reps a number of SF/F authors. Unfortunately, it didn't go well for me. He wanted to see a novel and the only novel I have is the one I wrote for NaNoWriMo and, even to my eyes, it wasn't all that great. He did, however, have some nice things to say about my writing and was encouraging, in a general sort of way.

However, I did have a very nice experience with Sara Paretsky. She led a session of 12 lucky conference attendees, of which I was one. She asked us to write a nice opening to a story or novel using unusual sounds. There were some extremely good writers there, who offered lots of great stuff. Really demanding and impressive stuff, most of which had a dead body in it. Not surprising, considering that Ms. Paretzky is a noted author of crime fiction. Of course, I was a bit different. My story was a noir parody of sorts, dealing with the dwarf, bastard son of the god of wine and revelry. Most of the folks at the workshop laughed in all the right places.

Later that night, Ms. Paretsky pulled me aside and said I had a wonderful comic voice and not only remembered my name, but also remembered the story I wrote. She was extremely encouraging. Gonna have to finish the story now and send her a little note to let her know what's happening with it.

Still, ready to go home now. I miss my kids and my wife. It's time to go. After I watch the season premier of the Sopranos and get some sleep.

Posted: Sun - March 7, 2004 at 11:39 PM       |

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