One of my memories from this wonderful past weekend is vaulting onto the bed.
I attended a writers’ workshop at Wofford College in Spartanburg and was assigned a room in one of the dorm suites. The economical way to set up the room is, of course, to raise the bed so two chests of drawers can be put beneath, thus saving valuable floor space. But since that meant the mattress was now between my waist and my chest, getting onto it required reaching over, grabbing the other side and basically heaving my body atop it. College women may not find this difficult; may feel more comfortable using the really thin slats at the end as a ladder, but for this woman ‘of a certain age’ body-slamming the mattress was actually the safest – just a bit awkward.
But other memories are why we writers seek out conferences.
The instruction/information/additions to our writing arsenal ~ This was my first Hub City Writing-In-Place Workshop. The name is perfect and just what I needed. This was not a weekend to bring our own WIPs (Works in Progress), it was a time to learn and to begin new projects, to actually Write-In-Place and take home something new. I have seeds for new work and techniques to use on an upcoming project.
Study with wonderful writers ~ My faculty member was Susan Tekulve, author of the award-winning novel, In the Garden of Stone. She was funny, generous with her time and knowledge, and led us in stretching our creative muscles with interesting exercises.
Hobnob with other writers ~ fledgling and veteran – and to get those ‘kicks-in-the-butt’ that only they can give, to share our work, and remind ourselves we’re not alone in this endeavor.
Our social hour was held at Hub City Bookstore – the only non-profit bookstore in the U.S, I believe. Indie bookstores are important commodities in communities; I wish there were more of them.
Open mic on Saturday was our time to shine and share our work – well, fifteen of us brave souls. It’s amazing how an author can tease out so much interest in zombies, fights at a funeral, cancer or jazz, and so much more …by reading for just three minutes or less!
I attended with my friend Claire, though we didn’t study with the same writer. Her teacher actually rode to the workshop – we didn’t ask too many questions. Claire was one of my suite mates. We became fast friends with the other two women, as if we’d known each other forever. Maybe it was Claire’s homemade sangria, but I don’t think so. The other Kim and Rachel were just interesting, funny women. We all came for the same purposes and that makes for an instant bond… that and sharing tips on how to get into our beds.
I’ll post more later about Susan, her book and other memories of the weekend, because it was perfect.
But last night it was nice to sit on the edge of my bed and fall back onto my pillow. No vaulting required.
Here’s how you can find out more about Hub City.
A Writer's Window 
Isn’t it great to hang out with writers? Last week at Wildacres Writing Workshop I asked Ron Rash why he spent a week of his summer teaching writer wanna-bes, and among other things he said he just enjoyed being with people who love what he loves. There aren’t a lot of people like that in the world, and he enjoyed it. Maybe as much as I did!
Valerie, it’s like coming home to the people who know you…even if you’ve never met. So glad you got to experience Wildacres. The creative energy hovering over that beautiful place will keep you going for a long time. Looking forward to reading what comes from it!
~Kim
I’m visualizing that body slam. Love it! Wish I could have attended, but this is vacation week for us, so I’m finding other forms of inspiration.
Thanks, it was comical for all four of us! Have been reading about your vacation on FB, all kinds of ‘inspiration’ from this trip 🙂 Hope it’s started being fun and the good stuff is coming. Enjoy your week.
~Kim
I’m still laughing, remembering how long I stood in front of that bed – almost shoulder-high – trying to figure out how I was going to get into it. Perhaps I should have had more sangria – or less?! What a great bunch of suite mates! We all agreed – we were the Best!
The Hub City instructors are marvelous, as was our opportunity to ride with one of them – good gracious – I hope she’ll still speak to us again after talking her speechless! Betsy Teter organizes a first-rate, first-attending-friendly conference, with incredible speakers that are relevant and knowledgeable. If anyone reading Kim’s blog may be considering attending next year, but is unsure, put your doubts aside, because I can’t wait to go again.
And of course, the body-slamming bed experience is one in a million!!
So much fun and so glad you went along. Now, time to write! Have I heard you today?
~Kim
Absolutely!! I knew you would!!
🙂
Thanks for sharing! Can see you getting into bed…love the visual! Looking forward to reading more about your Hub City Experience. Love,
Debbie
Thanks! So grateful for the yoga I’ve been doing – helped get that first leg up juuust a little higher 🙂 Starting to distill everything from the weekend. The class was great. Wiley Cash was the keynote – great storyteller. Hope I can do it justice in the next week or so.
Love,
Kim